School travel mode use: direct and indirect effects through parental attitudes and transport priorities

Abstract

Considering both direct and indirect associations, this study investigated a structural framework linking social cognition latent variables, and socioeconomic, built environment and demographic characteristics to parental mode choice on children's school travels. A total of 1078 questionnaires were completed by the parents of 7–9-year-old pupils in nine schools. We tested two separate SEM models to explain walking and car use on school trips. Findings showed that higher educated mothers, owning more cars, less physical exercise, shorter distance to schools and lack of access to school services and public transport were directly and indirectly related to car use on school trips. Enhancing safety knowledge among less-educated parents, those with limited access to public transport and those whose children study in public schools could be related with more walking on school trips. Pull factors were suggested to reduce private car use in the study area.

KEYWORDS:

• Indirect effects
• car use
• walking
• school travel
• attitudes
• transport priorities

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the five reviewers for a thorough and critical review of the manuscript. The reviewers’ constructive feedback and suggestions assisted the authors in enhancing the quality of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.