Cycling to School in Scotland Reaches Highest Level in Nearly Two Decades

The number of children cycling to school in Scotland has reached its highest level in at least 17 years, according to new survey data, although the proportion of pupils being driven to school has also increased.

The latest figures show that nearly one in 20 school journeys are now made by bicycle, reflecting gradual growth in active travel among young people despite continued reliance on cars for school transport.

Walking remains most common option

The annual survey, carried out by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and funded by Transport Scotland, collected responses from almost 500,000 nursery and school pupils across Scotland during September last year.

Walking remained the most widely used method of travelling to school, accounting for 38.8% of journeys. However, this figure has continued to decline, falling from 42.8% recorded in 2016.

At the same time, the percentage of pupils travelling by car rose from 22.3% to 24% over the same period, marking the highest level since the survey began in 2008.

An additional 10.2% of journeys involved “park and stride” arrangements, where parents drive part of the journey before children walk the remaining distance.

Cycling numbers continue to rise

Cycling accounted for 4.7% of school journeys last year, up from 3.9% in 2016 and matching the previous peak reached in 2023.

The survey also found that scooters and skateboards accounted for 2.9% of journeys, while bus use rose slightly to 17.2% — the highest level recorded in a decade.

Taxi usage fell marginally during the reporting period.

Significant drop-off between primary and secondary school

Despite the rise in overall cycling levels, campaigners expressed concern about the sharp decline in cycling participation once children move into secondary education.

The survey found that around 7% of primary school pupils cycled to school compared with only 1.3% of secondary school students.

Road safety, confidence levels and the availability of protected cycling infrastructure are believed to be among the factors influencing the decline.

Calls for safer cycling routes

Cycling and active travel organisations said the findings underline the importance of continued investment in safer infrastructure and training programmes.

Spokes, the Lothian cycling campaign group, called for greater emphasis on creating secure routes to secondary schools to encourage more teenagers to continue cycling.

Cycling Scotland said the increase in school cycling reflects the impact of long-term investment in segregated cycle lanes and Bikeability Scotland training programmes delivered in primary schools.

Active travel linked to health and independence

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said the results show encouraging progress for active travel but stressed that more work is needed to reverse the decline in walking and support safer cycling for older pupils.

The organisation highlighted the wider benefits of active travel, including improved physical health, confidence, independence and long-term wellbeing for children and young people.