Research on Age-appropriate Active Travel Infrastructure for 11-16 year olds
In 2020, APiC began working with Sustrans Scotland to research how we can improve the independent active travel opportunities for Scotland’s young people.
The Project
This research explored the active travel needs of children and young people aged 11 to 16 in Scotland. Through working with 31 Young Consultants and 14 of their parents/carers in 2020/21, in a Virtual Participatory Action Research Methodology (during the Covid-19 pandemic), we present rich descriptions and Active Travel Maps of four Scottish communities.
Approach
The four communities we worked in were:
- Leith, Edinburgh.
- Northfield and Mastrick, Aberdeen.
- Kinlochard, Aberfoyle and Callendar, Rural Stirlingshire.
- Denny and Bonnybridge, Falkirk.
These represent urban and rural scale settlements as well as differing socio-economic contexts. The participating young people were all aged 11 to 16, with participants brought together for reflection and determining overall priorities.
Outputs
The report details Active Travel Maps which identify the barriers and opportunities experienced by young people when walking and cycling independently of an adult to important destinations in their localities. They also show the priorities for action in each area that would have the biggest positive impact on their motivation and confidence to active travel.
We draw on these findings to present an overall picture of what age-appropriate active travel infrastructure looks like for children and young people in Scotland. You can read the full report here.