There are many reasons why children are travelling this way:  

• Parents' concerns about road traffic danger

• Parents' fears for the safety if they travel alone

• Increasing car ownership and use

• Increase in the proportion of households with a second car

• The school journey forming part of the journey to work

• Greater parental choice, school closures and wider catchment areas

Children's growing dependence on the car can have a range of damaging side effects:

• Increase in peak period traffic congestion

• Increase in atmospheric pollution around schools

• Fewer opportunities for children to develop road and personal safety skills

• Lack of exercise with resulting impact on general health and well-being

• Reduction in children's independence and social interaction

• Establishing travel habits early in life which are difficult to change