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Barriers and Determinants of Active Commuting to School in Slovenia

Author

Listed:
  • Gregor Jurak

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Maroje Sorić

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Tjaša Ocvirk

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Žan Luca Potočnik

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Kaja Meh

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Saša Đurić

    (General Education, Liberal Arts Department, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait)

  • Vedrana Sember

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Gregor Starc

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature reporting the health benefits of active commuting to school. This study investigated barriers and determinants of active commuting in children in Slovenia living within walking or cycling distance to school, i.e., 3 km. The sample consisted of 339 children (163 girls) aged 11–14 years who reported their mode of commuting, as well as their parents who described the socioeconomic environment of the family. Every third child in this study traveled to school exclusively by car/public transport, while every fifth participant used a passive means of transport when returning home from school. Potential household poverty, education of the mother and parental encouragement for physical activity were not associated with the commuting mode. In addition, conformist family barriers dominated among reasons for not choosing active commuting. A distance to school that was perceived to be too long was the most frequently cited barrier (72% of participants who passively commuted in both directions), followed by concern about being late for school (38% of participants who passively commute in one direction). Parents from all social strata who drive their children to school in either one or both directions while living in a walking or cycling range are a promising target population for active commuting interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregor Jurak & Maroje Sorić & Tjaša Ocvirk & Žan Luca Potočnik & Kaja Meh & Saša Đurić & Vedrana Sember & Gregor Starc, 2021. "Barriers and Determinants of Active Commuting to School in Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13808-:d:702118
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. McMillan, Tracy E., 2007. "The relative influence of urban form on a child's travel mode to school," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 69-79, January.
    2. M. J. Aranda-Balboa & F. J. Huertas-Delgado & M. Herrador-Colmenero & G. Cardon & P. Chillón, 2020. "Parental barriers to active transport to school: a systematic review," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(1), pages 87-98, January.
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