Overcoming barriers to cycling to school: a key to improving transport system performance

Transport modes walking and cycling, including cycling to school, have been neglected yet they could play a key role in combating obesity, climate change and traffic congestion as well as restoring 'social capital' within communities. The objective of this research was to identify the specific barriers to school students cycling to school for six intermediate schools (approx age 11-12 years) and recommend interventions that are likely to be effective, acceptable to parents and schools and favourable to school students for each of the schools. These specific barriers and solutions were then used to identify common themes, issues and solutions that might be considered at a national level, and give more confidence to those who are responsible for considering and acting on school cycling initiatives. Four stages of data collection were carried out, including the collection of existing school travel information, site visits, interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. In order to overcome barriers to cycling to school it is proposed that the development of genuinely safe and attractive school cycle networks, cycle training, effective bike storage and the continued implementation of slow zones around schools (or widespread lower speed limits) be implemented or given higher priority.