The Children's Walking and Cycling Index Scotland

Our first ever Children’s Index gives young people across Scotland a voice on transport issues.

Sustrans has been gathering national data on school journeys in Scotland since 2008 through the Hands Up Scotland Survey (HUSS).

But beyond the journey to school, children can often be overlooked in transport decisions.

To improve our places for children to thrive, we need to know more about the issues that affect them most.

Our first ever Children's Walking and Cycling Index report reveals the travel behaviours, attitudes and experiences of children across Scotland aged 6 to 15.

Fatimah, 12 years old, Dundee

My primary school was very nearby so we used to walk there and back every day.

Once you start walking places, it becomes part of your life. Because I’ve been walking to primary school since P1, it stuck.

Now I’m at high school, it’s a bit further away, but I still like to walk back from school with my friends. It’s about half an hour’s walk, so I get a good bit of exercise in. I feel that sense of accomplishment, and it makes me feel good.

I definitely feel safe walking in my local neighbourhood, but I don’t really like walking in certain places like streets with noisy bars. Keeping aware of your surroundings is important.

What is the Children's Walking and Cycling Index?

The Children’s Walking and Cycling Index Scotland 2024 is the first time we have conducted a wider survey of children’s views.

The data in this report reveals how children in Scotland are currently travelling, where the gaps are, and what children need to be able to walk, wheel or cycle for more of their everyday journeys.

The report, funded by Transport Scotland and sponsored by Halfords, follows on from our original Walking and Cycling Index.

It’s the UK’s biggest assessment of walking, wheeling and cycling and has been in circulation for over 10 years.

What children in Scotland told us

84%

want more traffic-free paths and quiet routes for walking and cycling

77%

want more cycle paths along roads physically separated from cars

48%

want to cycle more often

53%

don't think the government is doing enough to give children a say in improving their neighbourhood and country

Download the Children's Walking and Cycling Index Scotland report

The Children’s Walking and Cycling Index Scotland assesses walking, wheeling and cycling across the nation.

Download the pdf report

Read the text-only version of the report

Children’s needs must be prioritised

Active travel has positive impacts on children’s health, independence, access to opportunities and nature.

And when we design places that empower children to walk, wheel and cycle – we empower everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.

Let’s ensure that children’s perspectives are at the heart of transport decision making.

Ethan, 6 years old, Orkney

I got a new bike for Christmas - my first one without stabilisers! It was a bit hard at the beginning, but it didn’t take me that long to practice.

I like cycling because it’s good exercise and it’s fun. It’s like sitting and walking at the same time, but faster, like a car. I go so fast, I don’t even know how fast I’m going! Bikes are more fun than the car. On bikes we don’t have seatbelts, because we’re the engines of it.

We normally cycle to school and cycle back home. But only when it’s a sunny day.

I’m definitely gonna need a bigger bike as I get bigger. When I’m a grown up and I cycle, I’ll be a master at it!