Thursday October 1st 2026
Lilian Greenwood visits Greenbank Primary
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A third of Scottish parents are concerned by unsafe speeds (35%) on the journey to school, according to new research1 released for Living Streets Scotland’s International Walk to School Month.
Parents who drive their children to school are more likely to be concerned about traffic than those whose children walk/wheel to school (41% compared to 27%).
Parents also noted that a lack of safe crossings (22%) cause them concerns on the school run. Despite this, parents of children who walk to school say they feel more relaxed and happier (37%) afterwards.
Living Streets Scotland campaigns for safer streets, so more families feel confident walking and wheeling to school. In recent years, campaign successes have included banning pavement parking in Scotland.
The new data suggests this is having a positive impact, with only 16 per cent of parents in Scotland saying that pavement parking was a concern, compared to almost a quarter (24%) of UK parents.
Living Streets Scotland is part of the UK charity behind the biggest walk to school campaign. They are encouraging families to leave the car at home for International Walk to School Month this October with free resources available for use in the classroom and for families, including an Autumn Street Safari.
Throughout October, the charity will be sharing ways to get involved and celebrate the simple difference that walking or wheeling to school can make.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive at Living Streets, said:
“As the days get shorter and darker, road safety is more important than ever. It is disheartening that so many parents are concerned by traffic, unsafe speeds and pavement parking. By walking to school, families can be part of the solution by helping take cars off the road at busy times.
“I hope that more families feel inspired to leave the car at home this International Walk to School Month and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.”
Living Streets runs WOW – the walk to school challenge in schools across the UK. WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
WOW schools typically see 58 per cent fewer car journeys to the school gates and 18 per cent more journeys walking and wheeling all the way to school.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
“A safe and pleasant journey to school is what parents and carers the world over want for children – to see them arrive happy, switched on, and ready for the day ahead.
“That’s what walking to school means for so many kids, creating memories with friends and family and offering a chance to play and connect.
“That’s a pretty universal experience, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing in Scotland to make it possible for more young people, through supporting Living Streets and other active travel organisations, delivering safer routes to school, and encouraging all of us to walk where we can.”
For more information about WOW and to see if your school is eligible for funding to receive WOW receives for free, visit livingstreets.org.uk/WOW.
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