Active Commuting to School: How Far is Too Far?
Author Information
Author(s): Norah M Nelson, Eimear Foley, Donal J O'Gorman, Niall M Moyna, Catherine B Woods
Primary Institution: Dublin City University
Hypothesis
Is there a criterion distance above which adolescents choose not to walk or cycle to school?
Conclusion
Distance is a significant barrier to active commuting, with most adolescents living within 2.5 miles of school being more likely to walk or cycle.
Supporting Evidence
- One third of adolescents walked or cycled to school.
- Males were more likely to commute actively than females.
- Adolescents in densely populated areas had higher odds of active commuting.
- A 1-mile increase in distance decreased the odds of active commuting by 71%.
- Over 90% of those who saw distance as a barrier lived more than 2.5 miles from school.
Takeaway
If you live more than 2.5 miles from school, you might not walk or bike there because it's too far.
Methodology
Data was collected from 15–17 year old adolescents in 61 schools in Ireland using self-reported questionnaires and physical measurements.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data regarding distance and mode of transport.
Limitations
Self-reported distance may not accurately reflect actual distance, and the study did not assess return journeys.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 15–17 year old adolescents, 48.1% female, from various population densities in Ireland.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 9.3–17.0
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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