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. 2020 Oct:21:57-68.
doi: 10.1016/j.tbs.2020.05.008.

Keeping kids safe for active travel to school: A mixed method examination of school policies and practices and children's school travel behaviour

Erika Ikeda  1   2 , Suzanne Mavoa  3   4 , Alana Cavadino  5 , Penelope Carroll  4 , Erica Hinckson  1 , Karen Witten  4 , Melody Smith  6
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Keeping kids safe for active travel to school: A mixed method examination of school policies and practices and children's school travel behaviour

Erika Ikeda et al. Travel Behav Soc. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Active school travel contributes to children's physical, mental and social wellbeing. The prevalence of children's active school travel, however, has been declining in many developed countries. Gaining insights into school culture and environments in relation to school travel behaviour is crucial to inform interventions. Using a multiphase mixed methods approach, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how school policies and practices supported or inhibited school travel behaviour in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were drawn from Neighbourhoods for Active Kids, a cross-sectional study of 1085 children aged 8-13 years between February 2015 and December 2016. School representatives were interviewed regarding their policies and practices related to school travel behaviour and traffic around school, and the data were analysed thematically. An overarching theme, sub-themes and categories were contextualised for quantitative modelling using objectively measured school variables (school socioeconomic status, active school travel programme, built environments around school). Mixed effects multinomial logistic regression models were employed to determine associations between school travel mode and objectively measured child (sociodemographic characteristics, traffic safety perceptions) and school variables. Safety was the core concept of school travel policies, procedures and programmes. Significant differences in child variables, school socioeconomic status, and cycle lanes and traffic lights around school were found between children who actively travelled or used public transport to school and those driven to school. Overall, this study demonstrated the important role of school policy and procedures and the potential application of an intersectoral approach for interventions to support changes in school travel behaviour.

Keywords: Active travel; Mixed methods; Safety; School policy; School travel behaviour; Traffic.

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Figures

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Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A thematic map of school policy and practices related to school travel behaviour and traffic around school.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Final model of associations between school travel behaviour and objectively measured child and school variables using mixed effects multinomial logistic regression models (N = 1081).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Different types of pedestrian crossings. A = Crossings included in the data source in GIS. B = Crossings excluded from the data source in GIS.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Example associations of school policy and practices related to school travel behaviour. NZ = New Zealand. Each framework outlines relationships between the category of school policy, procedure and programme and the other sub-themes. Potential direct associations between each sub-theme/category and school travel behaviour were indicated in dotted lines.
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