Our research project, called INHABIT, is now published!

In our recent study, we delved into how children and young people interact with their natural and built environments to identify opportunities for promoting active travel behaviours in Wales. By conducting a comprehensive survey, we aimed to uncover the factors influencing travel choices among these groups.

One of the most striking findings was the notable difference in perceptions between parents and children and young people regarding the perceived capability, opportunity and motivation to engage with the outdoors. Parents tended to overestimate their children’s psychological capability to participate in outdoor activities. This discrepancy highlights the importance of aligning parental expectations with children’s actual experiences and abilities.

Additionally, our survey revealed a strong preference for active travel as the preferred mode of transport. Both children and young people, as well as parents, expressed a willingness to increase travel time if it meant they could travel actively. This enthusiasm for active travel is encouraging, but it also points to a gap between preferences and actual travel choices.

Interestingly, while many respondents showed a preference for active travel, their day-to-day choices often didn’t reflect this desire. This suggests that the barriers to active travel may stem more from psychological factors—like motivation and mindset—than from a lack of opportunities or resources.

These insights are crucial for developing effective interventions to encourage active travel among children and young people. By addressing the psychological barriers and aligning parental perceptions with children’s capabilities, we may be able to foster a more supportive environment for outdoor engagement and active travel.

To read the full study please click here.