Active travel means walking, cycling, scootering, skateboarding or any similar transport where human energy is spent to travel. The health benefits of active travel are well recognised, particularly as an alternative to motorised or sedentary forms of transport. Using public transport almost always includes walking to and from destinations, and therefore also can be considered as active travel. 

Active travel can also make a significant impact on carbon emissions. Cycling, e-biking or walking can help tackle the climate crisis, even if you swap the car for active travel just one day a week - according to a first of its kind, 2021 UK study. 

“We found that those who switch just one trip per day from car driving to cycling reduce their carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over a year.” 

Walking or biking to school is an early experience and obvious opportunity for ‘utility cycling’ which is cycling for transport and not just for fun. Utility cycling regularly through childhood typically leads to higher rates of walking and cycling for daily trips into adulthood. It is therefore valuable for encouraging a longer-term, city and potentially state or nation-wide modal shift towards more active mobility. 

Since children learn by example, and parents and carers can be powerful role models, we are taking this opportunity to ask parents and carers about their school commutes and opportunities for active travel to and from school.  

Safe and Active Routes to School Survey 

This survey helps us to learn more about how you/your children travel to and from school, why you choose to travel this way and your day-to-day experiences regarding safety and movement. The survey is targeting the Wynyard and Somerset community of schools, but anyone in the Waratah-Wynyard LGA can provide answers. 

We will use this information to help inform future decision-making around infrastructure improvements and other measures we can all use as a community to share the streets.  

Your participation is voluntary. The survey should take around 5-10 minutes to complete. 

Link to survey: https://forms.office.com/r/ayyaHXEYiZ