Changes in the Percentage of Students Who Walk or Bike to School – United States, 1969 and 2001

Data from the 1969 and 2001 National Household Transportation Survey report that a smaller percentage of students lived within 1 mile of school in 2001 than in 1969.

  • The percentage of students who walked or biked any distance decreased from 42.0% to 16.2%.
  • Nearly half of students used more than 1 travel mode or went to an additional destination en route between home and school in 2001.
  • Implications from this study indicate that a multidisciplinary effort is needed to increase the percentage of students who walk or bike to school, as well as decrease the distances that students travel.

Ham, Sandra A., Martin, Sarah, and Kohl III, Harold W. “Changes in the Percentage of Students Who Walk or Bike to School – United States, 1969 and 2001.” Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 5.2 (2008): 205-215

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