Abstract As observed in several previous studies, the nature of the urban structure can affect children's mode of transportation to school. In this paper, we identify and investigate, in the Finnish context, the elements of the urban structure around homes and en route to school that promote children's ability to walk or cycle to school, using the conceptual domains proposed by Mitra (2013) to frame the work. The associations discovered can, to a large extent however, be viewed as contrasting significantly with those identified in previous research, as an increase in the variables, essentially indicating urbanity, decreased the likelihood of the children walking or cycling to school. This is due to the existence of a well-functioning public transportation network in the Helsinki region. The associations were more significantly associated with the environment en route to school than with the environment around homes. This research improves our understanding of active school transportation behaviour in an environment that is already relatively supportive of active transportation and independent mobility by offering a well-functioning public transportation system.

    Highlights Urbanity is negatively associated with active transportation in Finnish context. Poor public transport and single family housing increase active school transport. Major roads on school journey decrease the odds of cycling to school. Transport mode is more affected by the environment of school trip than around home. Dense school networks might support active school transport the most effectively.


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    Title :

    School travel mode choice and the characteristics of the urban built environment: The case of Helsinki, Finland


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Transport Policy ; 37 ; 1-10


    Publication date :

    2014-10-25


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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