The needs for active travel of children and young people in Scotland, ages 11 to 16, are explained in this research paper. Sustrans and APiC created detailed descriptions and Active Travel Maps of four Scottish villages using a Virtual Participatory Action Research Methodology in collaboration with 31 Young Consultants and 14 of their parents/carers.
These depict settlements on an urban and rural scale as well as various socioeconomic status levels. The participants, who ranged in age from 11 to 16, were divided into subgroups of 11 to 13 and 14 to 16 for more in-depth conversations before coming back together to reflect and set overarching priorities.
The Active Travel Maps highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by kids and teenagers who bike and walk without an adult to significant locations in their communities. They also outline the key initiatives in each region that would have the largest positive effects on their willingness and assurance to engage in active travel. These results are used to paint a broad picture of what Scotland’s infrastructure for age-appropriate active transport for children and young people looks like.
