Active travel
Active travel is where moving from one place to another involves a form of physical activity, such as walking, wheeling or cycling.
Active travel can be beneficial for our health (mental and physical) and the planet. We’re providing evidence on these benefits, and in particular for children.
What are the headlines?
- People who walk and cycle to work are at reduced risk of early death or illness compared with those who commute by car
- Schoolchildren who switch to walking or cycling may have a healthier body weight
- School street closures (and other similar schemes) are associated with a 6% increase in active commutes to schools
- Children who are helped with a strategy to change their diet and activity levels may have a reduced Body Mass Index (BMI)
How is our research making a difference?
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Schoolchildren who switch to walking or cycling may have a healthier body weight
There was a lack of evidence tracking children over time to support this claim, until this research study.
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Addressing the focus on ‘Health in Cities’
Our research offered evidence that was relevant to the recommendations in the Chief Medical Officer’s 2024 annual report.
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Exploring views on the acceptability of population level dietary and active-travel policies
By understanding what aspects are acceptable, we can improve the effectiveness and sustainability of such policies.
What research are we currently doing?
Evaluating coastal rural communities' active and sustainable travel (COAST)
Aim This project aims to inform local authority transport planning policies that support equitable and sustainable active travel in rural settings. This will include: Identifying opportunities and friction points towards achieving healthy, sustainable and equitable rural travel Evaluating sustainable and active travel schemes in two contrasting rural communities Background…
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What research are we currently doing?
Effects and mechanisms of traffic restriction schemes outside schools in Great Britain: a natural experimental study
Aim This project aims to assess whether traffic reduction schemes outside schools affect children’s levels of active commuting and travel and how is this is affected by geographical area or socio-economic context. Background Traffic restriction schemes outside schools are being introduced for a variety of reasons,…
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What research are we currently doing?
Evaluating the impact of active school environments on children and young people’s health
Aim This project aims to examine how conducive school physical environments are to supporting and encouraging physical activity and health and wellbeing for all children. This will include exploring: How school policy and children’s physical activity has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic How equitable health promotion is in…
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What research are we currently doing?
‘Physical activity insecurity’ as experienced by LGBTQ+ children and young people living with deprivation: what would safe spaces for physical activity look like for this community?
‘Physical activity insecurity’ as experienced by LGBTQ+ children and young people living with deprivation: what would joyful and safe spaces for physical activity (JASPA) look like for this community? Aims This research project will consider how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, and others (LGBTQ+) young people have experienced…
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What have we already provided evidence on?
Engaging primary school children to learn about the importance of being physically active – Promoting physical activity in schools is essential for their physical development and has wider benefits including better social and emotional health.
Physical activity insecurity is stopping youngsters from getting active – The feelings of discomfort and unsafety are preventing some young people from being physically active
What is the impact of environmental pollution on young people’s mental health? – This project examined the role of pollution on adolescent mental health.
Exploring the intersection of environmental and public health: a transdisciplinary journey – The intricate interplay between air quality and public health, although familiar in principle, has revealed itself in new and enlightening ways during the course of this placement.
Where can I find out more?
Healthy places, healthy planet programme event: Exploring policy, environment, and health through research and practice
On 22nd September 2025, researchers, practitioners, and members of the public gathered in London for a thought-provoking and energising day of discussion and discovery. The event, hosted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), was structured around an agenda of short presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops,…
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Where can I find out more?
Presenting at the UK Public Health Science Conference 2024
Dr Chloe Asker and Professor Conny Guell from the SPHR-funded COAST (evaluating coastal rural communities active and sustainable travel) project attended the UK Public Health Science conference in Cardiff on Friday 29th November. L…
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Where can I find out more?
Summer school in Copenhagen: Learning how to create healthy cities
Zoe Clarke, a SPHR Pre-doctoral Fellow at the University of Sheffield, shares her experience of attending summer school in Copenhagen to learn about challenges in urban health and how planning can help to overcome these. The opportunity to learn new things attracted me to applying for a…
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