A seven-month study of Safer Routes to School (SRTS) in Scotland is described. A survey of the international literature and interviews with a small number of key informants were undertaken. The activities of local authorities, schools and parents are described. Practices varied among local authorities, with some schools more interested in road safety than others. Schools involved in School Travel Plans promoted walking and tended to ignore cycling. All the case study schools were committed to SRTS but indicated that road safety had to compete at school with other curricular pressures and priorities. More support, training and resources for SRTS were considered important by teachers. The involvement of parents as educators and role models in SRTS is considered important and it is suggested that children should be involved in the development of SRTS. Better evaluation of existing SRTS projects is suggested.
Abstract