Publication of Method of Travel to/from School By Pupils In Northern Ireland 2016/2017

This report produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2016/2017 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).

2016/2017 was the fourth year that this question set was included in the CHS and this is the fourth such report produced.  

The publication is available on the ASRB website at: ​https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/travel-school-0

Key Points

Main method of travel to/from school

• Among primary school pupils, almost two thirds (65%) were driven to/from school by car[1] and one quarter (25%) usually walked to/from school. A further 9% of pupils travelled to/from school by bus, while 1% of pupils cycled as their main mode of transport to and from school.
• These results are similar to 2015/16, however, there has been a decrease in walking, and conversely an increase in those travelling by car since 2013/14.
• Among post primary pupils, 45% travelled to/from school by bus as their main mode of transport and a further 36% were driven by car. Under a fifth (17%) of pupils walked to/from school while a small proportion took the train (1%).

[1] Car/van/taxi

• These results are similar to 2015/16. However the longer term trend shows a decrease in walking and increase in car use since 2013/14.
• Just over a quarter (26%) of primary school pupils walk or cycle to school as their main mode of transport compared with 17% of post primary school pupils. These results are similar to 2015/16 when 29% of primary school pupils and 18% of post primary school pupils walked or cycled to school as their main mode of transport, however, there has been a decrease in walking and cycling for post primary school pupils since 2013/14.

Distance from home to school

• Half (50%) of primary school pupils lived 0-1 mile from their school compared to just under a fifth (18%) of post primary school pupils.  Similar proportions of primary and post primary pupils (31% and 33%) lived within 2–3 miles.
• In contrast, almost half (49%) of post primary school pupils lived more than four miles from their school compared to around a fifth (19%) of primary school pupils.

Time spent per day on forms of exercise other than walking and cycling to/from school

• Less than two fifths (39%) of primary school pupils and just over a quarter (26%) of post primary school pupils take part in more than 60 minutes physical activity over and above walking/cycling to school, thereby achieving the recommended daily exercise as advised by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Whilst there was no significant change since 2015/16 for either primary or post primary school pupils, there has been a decrease since 2014/15 in the proportion of both primary school pupils (from 49% to 39%) and post primary school pupils (33% to 26%) who spend more than 60 minutes per day exercising.

Notes to editors: 

1. Background: The information presented in this publication derives from the 2016/2017 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to questions on method of travel to/ from school by pupils in the north of Ireland with particular emphasis on walking and cycling.  The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the north of Ireland population at household level.

2. A total of 3,262 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed in 2016/2017.  Questions on method of travel to/ from school were asked if children in the household attended primary school or post primary school. Of the 1,141 children for whom parents were surveyed, 590 attended a primary school and the remaining 551 attended a post primary school.

3. Travelwise NI is the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) initiative to encourage people to choose sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing.  Its main promotional activities are directed towards three groups of road users; Schools, Commuters and Employers.  DfI will use the information presented in this publication to monitor the effectiveness of the Travelwise NI initiatives that are aimed at increasing the proportion of children who travel actively to school.

4. Official Statistics: This is an Official Statistics publication and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.  You can find further information about the Code of Practice at: https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/

5. For further information please contact:

• Tel (public enquiries): 028 9054 0801 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail: ASRB@nisra.gov.uk
• Website: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research

6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or e-mail: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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