The report is based on a survey of 2,010 people who have primary care responsibilities for children aged 4-11. Only parents whose children attend school were eligible to complete the survey. The survey was conducted in May 2025 by independent research agency, Surveygoo.
This survey report is published as more than 85,000 children from more than 600 schools and youth groups take part in Brake's Kids Walk to shout out for their right to make safe and healthy journeys. Brake's Kids Walk 2025 is sponsored by esure Group.
Details of survey methodology are given below the tables. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
What did parents and carers tell us?
Key findings:
- Less than two-fifths (38%) often or usually walk to school (down from 54% in 2024).
- More than half (55%) of parents would like their children to walk and wheel to school more often (down from 69% in 2024).
- Many parents say their children can’t walk or wheel to school more often because roads are too busy (40%), traffic is too fast (28%).
- 27% say there are no safe crossing places near their children’s school.
- 80% of parents would like roads near their home and children’s schools to have a 20mph speed limit.
- 85% of parents would like to see Government doing more to make their roads safer.
- Illegal parking around schools is a problem for more than half of parents (52%).
Where we live
In question 1, we wanted to understand the types of areas in which parents and carers and their children live and go to school.
The majority of respondents (74%) told us they live in an urban area (43% within a town; 31% in city suburbs), with the remaining 26% describing the area in which they live as rural (a hamlet, village or rural town). These figures corresponded closely with the areas in which their children’s school was based. This suggests that most people live in the same type of environment as the one in which their children go to school, which is corroborated by the answers to question 2.
| Q1a: Please describe the type of area that you live in and that your child(ren) go to school in We live in a… | |
|---|---|
Rural: Hamlet (a small settlement, smaller than a village and without a church) | 3.1% |
| Rural: Village (a group of houses, larger than a hamlet, smaller than a town) | 8.2% |
Rural: Town and fringe (an area on the outskirts of an urban town, or a town in a rural setting) |
15.3% |
Urban: Town |
42.5% |
Urban: City suburbs |
30.9% |
| Q1b: Please describe the type of area that you live in and that your child(ren) go to school in Their school is based in a… | |
|---|---|
Rural: Hamlet (a small settlement, smaller than a village and without a church) |
2.5% |
Rural: Village (a group of houses, larger than a hamlet, smaller than a town) |
9.8% |
Rural: Town and fringe (an area on the outskirts of an urban town, or a town in a rural setting) |
14.6% |
Urban: Town |
43.8% |
Urban: City suburbs |
29.4% |
Latest official figures show that 6,069 children aged 4-11 were harmed on UK roads in 2023. This means that, on average, 16 primary schoolchildren are harmed as a result of road crashes every single day. In 2023, 28 children aged 4-11 died on UK roads and a further 1,077 were seriously injured.
How we travel to school
In question 2, we turned our attention to the distance children travel to get to school.
The majority (73%) of people we questioned told us they live less than two miles from their children’s school, while just under half (46%) told us their journey is one mile or less.
It seems that the distance between school and home is not a significant barrier to many children being able to walk or wheel to school.
| Q2: What is the distance from your house to your child(ren)’s school? | |
|---|---|
Less than 0.5 miles |
18.0% |
Between 0.5 and 1 mile |
27.7% |
1-2 miles |
27.5% |
3-5 miles |
17.2% |
6-10 miles |
7.1% |
More than 10 miles |
2.5% |
Travelling to and from school...
26%
usually walk to school
46%
usually go by car to school
3%
usually cycle to school
In question 3, we wanted to look more closely at the ways families travel to and from school. Do parents choose to walk, cycle or scoot to school with their children?
Less than a third (26%) of respondents told us their children usually walk to school, while 12% said they often walk. A much greater proportion (46%) usually or often (19%) travel to school by car. By contrast, only 3% told us they cycle to school every day. Three-quarters (75%) said their children rarely or never cycle to school, and nearly half (48%) rarely or never walk.
These numbers are quite significantly different from research in previous years. It’s worrying to see the percentage of children who usually or often walk or wheel to school reduce from 54% in 2024 to just 38% in 2025.
Overall, relatively small numbers of children appear to use public transport to travel to and from school, although 25% use a school bus (up from 12% in 2024) usually or often. Children in London are most likely to get to school using public transport on a regular basis: 46% use the school bus usually or often, 22% use a public bus, and 11% go to school by train. This may reflect access to public transport networks in the capital compared with other regions.
| Q3: How does your child(ren) travel to and from school? | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Never |
Rarely |
Sometimes |
Often |
Usually |
|
Car/van |
11.5% |
9.9% |
13.1% |
19.2% |
46.3% |
Walk |
33.6% |
14.0% |
14.4% |
12.0% |
25.9% |
Bicycle |
59.1% |
16.3% |
15.0% |
6.3% |
3.3% |
Scooter |
61.3% |
15.7% |
13.9% |
6.1% |
2.9% |
Public bus |
53.9% |
14.9% |
17.3% |
8.4% |
5.5% |
School bus |
52.2% |
6.2% |
17.0% |
12.5% |
12.1% |
Train |
74.4% |
11.9% |
7.8% |
3.8% |
2.1% |
Tram |
81.7% |
9.6% |
4.7% |
2.9% |
1.2% |
Motorbike |
83.0% |
9.1% |
4.1% |
2.9% |
1.0% |
Horse |
91.5% |
4.1% |
1.9% |
1.7% |
0.8% |
In question 4, we asked parents if they would prefer their children were able to actively travel – walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling - to school more often. More than half (56%) said yes.
| Q4: Would you prefer your child(ren) to walk/cycle/scoot to and from school more often? | |
|---|---|
Yes |
55.5% |
No |
35.4% |
Not sure |
9.1% |
In question 5, we asked more about the barriers that stop children from walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school more often.
When we asked parents what stopped them from walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting more often, we found that safety is an issue for many.
More than a third (40%) said it’s not safe to walk, cycle or scoot because roads are too busy, and more than a quarter (28%) said it’s not safe because traffic is too fast. A further 14% said there are no suitable crossings. Lack of suitable pavements (11%) or suitable cycle paths (12%) was also given as a reason, and 11% of parents said they are worried about levels of air pollution.
Almost a quarter (24%) said they don’t have time to walk, cycle or scoot and 20% said it is too far. Some are not able to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot because they (3%) or their child (1.5%) has a disability.
We then flipped the question to ask parents who don’t think their children should walk, wheel, cycle or scoot more often to give their reasons. Again, we found that safety is the biggest concern, with 62% saying roads are too busy and 31% saying traffic is too fast. Parents also told us there aren’t safe or suitable crossing places (18%), pavements (11%) or cycle paths (13%).
| Q5a: What stops your child(ren) from walking / wheeling / cycling / scooting more often? | |
|---|---|
Sample Size |
1,299 |
Not safe - the roads are too busy |
40.0% |
Not safe – the vehicles go too fast |
27.7% |
Not safe - no suitable crossings |
14.2% |
Concerned about levels of air pollution |
10.7% |
Not safe – there are no pavements/the pavements are not suitable |
11.4% |
Not safe – there are no cycle paths/the cycle paths are not suitable |
11.8% |
It is too far |
20.1% |
I don’t have enough time |
23.9% |
I am unable to walk/cycle/scoot with my child(ren) because of a disability |
3.0% |
My child(ren) is unable to walk/cycle/scoot because of a disability |
1.5% |
Other |
12.2% |
| Q5b: Why don’t you think your child(ren) should walk / wheel / cycle / scoot more often? | |
|---|---|
Sample Size |
711 |
Not safe - the roads are too busy |
62.1% |
Not safe – the vehicles go too fast |
30.5% |
Not safe - no suitable crossings |
17.7% |
Concerned about levels of air pollution |
10.1% |
Not safe – there are no pavements/the pavements are not suitable |
11.4% |
Not safe – there are no cycle paths/the cycle paths are not suitable |
12.5% |
It is too far |
29.7% |
I don’t have enough time |
8.6% |
I am unable to walk/cycle/scoot with my child(ren) because of a disability |
1.1% |
My child(ren) is unable to walk/cycle/scoot because of a disability |
2.2% |
I feel we already walk, cycle, scoot enough |
18.6% |
Other |
3.2% |
What stops your child(ren) from walking, cycling or scooting more often?
40%
'Not safe - Roads are too busy'
28%
'Not safe - Traffic is too fast'
14%
'Not safe - No safe crossing places'
Our research also shows us that people want 20mph speed limits around their homes and their children’s schools. We must do everything we can to keep our children safe!
Luca Straker, Campaigns manager, Brake
Benefits of walking, cycling and scooting
For question 6, we turned our attention to the benefits of walking, cycling or scooting to school, asking parents to tell us what they think are the most beneficial reasons.
Exercise was by far the most popular benefit, ranked by 61% as their first, and 16% second (a combined total of 77%).
Fresh air was the next most popular benefit, ranked first or second by almost half of respondents (48%).
Spending more quality time together was also a popular choice, ranked first or second by 24% of respondents.
| Q6: Which of the following do you think are the most beneficial reasons for your child(ren) walking / wheeling / cycling / scooting more often? Please rank them in order from 1 (most beneficial) to 7 (least beneficial). | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Exercise |
60.5% |
15.7% |
9.4% |
5.5% |
3.5% |
3.9% |
1.5% |
Fresh air |
13.0% |
35.4% |
19.2% |
13.3% |
9.9% |
7.2% |
1.9% |
More environmentally friendly / Reducing our impact on the environment |
5.6% |
11.9% |
18.5% |
20.3% |
25.1% |
16.7% |
1.9% |
Reducing the number of vehicles on the road |
4.2% |
9.7% |
12.5% |
24.3% |
28.6% |
19.4% |
1.3% |
More quality time together |
8.3% |
16.3% |
25.4% |
16.8% |
18.5% |
13.6% |
1.1% |
Save money |
5.9% |
9.5% |
13.5% |
18.2% |
13.1% |
37.2% |
2.6% |
Other |
1.8% |
0.8% |
1.1% |
1.2% |
1.9% |
2.5% |
91% |
Are parents worried about the environement?
In question 7, we asked parents to give us their views on air pollution and reducing environmental impact.
We found that:
- 70% of parents are concerned about air pollution levels around their child(ren)’s school
- 75% of parents agree that walking, cycling or scooting to school is an easy way to reduce the impact they and their children have on the environment
- 67% of parents would like their children to be able to walk to and from school every day.
- 85% of parents would like to see the government doing more to make their local roads safer.
- 80% of parents would like to see the government doing more to enable their children to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school.
- 80% would like roads near their home and children’s schools to have a 20mph speed limit.
| Q7: Please read the statements below and select how much you agree/disagree with each | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Walking / wheeling / cycling / scooting to school is an easy way to reduce the impact me and my child(ren) have on the environment |
2.0% |
5.8% |
17.2% |
41.8% |
33.3% |
I would like my child(ren) to be able to walk / wheel / cycle / scoot to and from school every day |
3.3% |
12.6% |
17.2% |
37.4% |
29.5% |
I would like to see the Government doing more to make roads in my community safer |
0.6% |
2.1% |
12.5% |
39.5% |
45.3% |
I would like the Government to do more to enable children in my community to walk / wheel / cycle / scoot to school |
0.9% |
3.5% |
15.4% |
41.9% |
38.3% |
Roads near my home and my child(ren)s school should have 20mph speed limits |
1.0% |
4.0% |
14.9% |
43.2% |
37.0% |
Speeds of traffic near schools
In question 8, we tried to build a picture of the speed of traffic on roads near schools.
Just over a quarter (26%) of parents said that all the roads around their children’s school have a speed limit of 20mph; 55% said that some of the roads were limited to 20mph. Meanwhile, 14% told us that none of the roads near their children’s school had a limit of 20mph.
| Q8: Do the roads around your child(ren)’s school have a speed limit of 20mph? | |
|---|---|
Yes - all |
26.3% |
Yes - some |
54.8% |
No - none |
14.2% |
Not sure |
4.7% |
41%
said traffic moves too fast even on 20mph roads
Causes for concern
In question 9, we asked respondents to tell us what particular issues gave them cause for concern near their children’s school.
The behaviour of drivers near school is a particular concern for many. Almost half (46%) said that cars parking illegally was an issue, while 28% said cars park legally but block safe walkways. The second biggest cause for concern appears to be traffic speed: 41% of parents said traffic moves too fast near school, even on roads with 20mph speed limits, while 31% said traffic moves too fast even if within the speed limit.
A lack of safe places to cross near school is also a cause for concern, with 27% of parents saying it is an issue; 25% are also concerned there is no school crossing patrol.
| Q9: What issues do you see near your child(ren)’s school? | |
|---|---|
Traffic moves too fast (even on roads that have 20mph speed limits) |
40.5% |
Traffic moves too fast (even though they are within the speed limit) |
30.9% |
There are no safe crossing places near the school |
27.3% |
There is no school crossing patrol |
25.1% |
Cars often park illegally |
46.1% |
Cars park legally but block safe walkways |
28.4% |
The pavements are not suitable |
18.9% |
There are points where there are no safe walkways |
19.8% |
There are no designated cycling/scooting routes |
23.4% |
There are no safe places to park nearby |
11.1% |
Other |
4.0% |
Campaigning for change
At Brake, we believe every child has the right to make safe and healthy journeys where they live, without fear of danger from traffic. Brake’s Kids Walk helps children and their parents call for the things they need to enable their journeys to be safe.
In question 10, we asked parents if they have ever contacted their local councillor or MP about a road safety issue, and nearly three-quarters (73%) told us they have either made contact or want to.
Of the 37% who have been in touch with their councillor or MP, 18% told us that changes had subsequently been made. However, 19% said that nothing had been done and a further 4% said they had received a negative response.
Almost a third (33%) said that want to get in touch about a road safety issue.
| ||
|---|---|---|
Yes, and changes have happened |
17.7% |
|
Yes, and they replied, but nothing has been done |
19.3% |
|
Yes, and they replied negatively |
3.6% |
|
No, but I want to |
32.7% |
|
No, I don’t need/want to |
24.5% |
|
Prefer not to say |
2.1% |
References and survey methodology
References
- Department for Transport (2024) Reported road casualties in Great Britain: Annual Report 2023 and accompanying data sets
- Police Service of Northern Ireland (2024) Road traffic casualties for those aged 4–11 by casualty class: calendar year 2023. Statistics Branch, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Lisnasharragh.
Survey methodology
The research was carried out by SurveyGoo which conducted an online survey among 2,010 respondents across the UK. The sample of adults was randomly selected from our survey panel and weighted to be representative of the UK population for age, gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sampling variability at the country level, was +/- 2.2% at 95% confidence limit. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. The research was conducted in May 2025.
Eligibility
Respondents were required to be a parent of, or have primary care responsibilities for, children aged 4-11 to take the survey.
About SurveyGoo
Survey Panel
SurveyGoo operates an online survey community which consists of a representative sample of the UK population. Panel members are incentivised to take surveys and polls covering a range of topics and subjects for leading UK brands and PR agencies.
The panel is drawn from multiple sources and recruited using a mix of techniques to select unique and responsive members. Targeted recruitment is from authentic sources, including top websites, and web portals. Recruitment is designed to meet the demographic needs of a panel that is representative of the online population of the market.
Recruitment sources include banner advertisements on leading portals and top ranked websites, through referral programs search, content networks, email campaigns and social networking sites.
Focused recruitment activities are planned typically on a quarterly basis, with ongoing low level recruitment activity each month.
Sampling management
SurveyGoo's panel management tool allows them to select ‘census representativity’ on survey send outs and incoming completes. The tool provides correct allocation to achieve proper distribution based on census data. SurveyGoo can create quotas or send out targets to specific target groups.
Survey invites are sent out via email, and all panel members invited have the opportunity to take or decline a survey.
A sample matching the requirements is taken from the panel database. The panellists are sent direct invites at their validated email address with project details. Reminders are sent as per defined conditions. Panellists are provided with details of the reward and interview length. They are given the opportunity to decline the survey and are provided with a link to contact support with any queries relating to the survey.
Panel member incentives
A reward system is operated. The number of points awarded is driven by the length of interview (LOI). On reaching a set redemption level, panellists can redeem their rewards as cash via Pay Pal. Incentive rates have been set to encourage long term participation.
Compliance policies
At the time of panel recruitment, panellists are made aware of the purpose of the panel (i.e. to take part in market research). Each panellist is double-opted in. When invites are sent to panellists, they are notified of the confidential nature of their responses and given the opportunity to ‘opt out’ of the panel. As part of the registration process, panellists are asked to fill out several key profiling questions. Upon confirmation the panellist will receive an automatic email sent directly to the email address they provided in the registration process, allowing them to double opt-in to the panel. The email contains a link within it, as well as a user name and password. The link will direct them back to the panellist site, where the panellist signs in with their username and password.
SurveyGoo's privacy policy is clearly stated for panel members and the company adheres to UK data protection laws.
Researchers are members of the MRS and adhere to research practice In line with ESOMAR guidelines.
Rewards
A reward system is operated. The number of points awarded is driven by the length of interview (LOI). On reaching a set redemption level, panellists can redeem their rewards as cash via Pay Pal. Incentive rates have been set to encourage long-term participation.
Brake's Kids Walk 2025 is sponsored by esure and Sheilas' Wheels
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