Walking school buses in the Auckland region: A longitudinal assessment

Authors

Damian Collins
Robin A. Kearns

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2010

Subject Area

economics - appraisal/evaluation, mode - bus, mode - school bus, mode - pedestrian

Keywords

Walking school bus, Walking, School trips, School children, Longitudinal studies, Evaluation and assessment, Auckland (New Zealand)

Abstract

This article examines the development of walking school buses (WSBs) in Auckland, New Zealand, drawing on five annual surveys. Longitudinal analysis reveals sustained growth in the number of routes, and in levels of participation, although activity remains concentrated in the wealthiest neighborhoods. Parent coordinators identify four key benefits to WSBs: the sense of community, opportunity for exercise/health promotion, reduction in car use and local congestion, and reduced injury risk for child pedestrians. We contend that this form of supervised walking challenges some of the social practices associated with automobile dependence at the same time as it reinforces others.

Comments

Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

Recommended Citation

Collins, Damian, Kearns, Robin. (2010). Walking school buses in the Auckland region: A longitudinal assessment. Transport Policy, Volume 17, Issue 1, pp 1-8.