Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, recently spearheaded a Westminster Hall debate focusing on the importance of encouraging children to walk and cycle to school. He urged the government to make active travel a priority in its Road Safety Strategy.
Despite a historical decline in road deaths, there were 17,846 recorded child pedestrian casualties in 2022—a 16 percent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the UK National Travel Survey reveals a decrease in children aged five to 15 who walk or cycle to school, dropping from 67 percent to 47 percent over the past five decades.
In his role as vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Walking and Cycling, Mr. Glover emphasized the importance of providing every child with the opportunity to walk, wheel, or cycle to school safely. He argued that, in addition to reducing injuries, active travel enhances air quality, accessibility, and children’s health.
Mr. Glover stated, “It was encouraging to see cross-party support and examples from across the country highlighting how vital it is to give children and families the option to walk and cycle to school—for both public health and the economy.”
He further noted that empowering young people involves building their confidence while improving infrastructure, such as cycle paths and crossings, and addressing issues like pavement parking. Many children, he pointed out, wish to walk or cycle to school, but safety concerns deter them and their families.
The debate called for significant investment in high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure to ensure these modes of travel become viable options for all. Specific local needs were highlighted, such as the necessity for a safe crossing over the A415 in Culham for Europa School students and a previously planned footbridge over the A34 in Milton, which was shelved due to funding constraints.
Beyond infrastructure, initiatives like the Bikeability cycle training scheme, which has reached over five million children since 2007, have effectively increased cycling levels. However, funding limitations mean that not all children have access to this training.
Concerns over pavement parking were also discussed, with three-quarters of children and 58 percent of parents supporting restrictions on cars parking on pavements. Yet, local authorities in England face challenges due to limited enforcement powers. The Minister for the Future of Roads, Lillian Greenwood MP, indicated that this is currently under review in the Road Safety Strategy.
Mr. Glover expressed his anticipation of the Minister’s visit to a local school to observe Bikeability in action, while pledging to continue advocating for government investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, particularly around schools.
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