Abstract
Heightened attention is being drawn to the health conditions linked to physical inactivity, particularly in children. Encouraging students to walk and bike to school encourages them to develop healthier lifestyles and to choose nonmotorized transportation at other times. The Safe Routes to School program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is a new approach to promoting physical activity, health, and wellness in children. Michigan researchers are applying attitude-behavioral models to evaluate relationships among children's beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors related to walking or biking to school. This paper presents data collected from more than 6,000 Michigan elementary school students in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Parent Publication
Citation
Knollenberg, Whitney; Latkova, Pavlina; Vogt, Christine; Rodriguez, Ariel. 2009. Active transportation among elementary-aged students: walking or biking to and from school. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 15-20.