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Active Transport to School and School Neighbourhood Built Environment across Urbanisation Settings in Otago, New Zealand

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammad Lutfur Rahman

    (Active Living Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

  • Tessa Pocock

    (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Antoni Moore

    (School of Surveying, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

  • Sandra Mandic

    (Active Living Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
    Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
    Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

Abstract

The school neighbourhood built environment (BE) can facilitate active transport to school (ATS) in adolescents. Most previous studies examining ATS were conducted in large urban centres and focused on BE of home neighbourhoods. This study examined correlations between school-level ATS rates among adolescents, objectively measured school neighbourhood BE features, and adolescents’ perceptions of the school route across different urbanisation settings. Adolescents (n = 1260; 15.2 ± 1.4 years; 43.6% male) were recruited from 23 high schools located in large, medium, and small urban areas, and rural settings in Otago, New Zealand. Adolescents completed an online survey. School neighbourhood BE features were analysed using Geographic Information Systems. School neighbourhood intersection density, residential density and walkability index were higher in large urban areas compared to other urbanisation settings. School-level ATS rates (mean 38.1%; range: 27.8%–43.9%) were negatively correlated with school neighbourhood intersection density (r = −0.58), residential density (r = −0.60), and walkability index (r = −0.64; all p < 0.01). School-level ATS rates were also negatively associated with adolescents’ perceived safety concerns for walking (r = −0.76) and cycling (r = −0.78) to school, high traffic volume (r = −0.82), and presence of dangerous intersections (r = −0.75; all p < 0.01). Future initiatives to encourage ATS should focus on school neighbourhood BE features and minimise adolescents’ traffic safety related concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Lutfur Rahman & Tessa Pocock & Antoni Moore & Sandra Mandic, 2020. "Active Transport to School and School Neighbourhood Built Environment across Urbanisation Settings in Otago, New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9013-:d:455668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. João Costa & Manolis Adamakis & Wesley O’Brien & João Martins, 2020. "A Scoping Review of Children and Adolescents’ Active Travel in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Mohammad Lutfur Rahman & Antoni Moore & Melody Smith & John Lieswyn & Sandra Mandic, 2020. "A Conceptual Framework for Modelling Safe Walking and Cycling Routes to High Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-16, May.
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    5. Karel Frömel & Dorota Groffik & Josef Mitáš & Jan Dygrýn & Petr Valach & Michal Šafář, 2020. "Active Travel of Czech and Polish Adolescents in Relation to Their Well-Being: Support for Physical Activity and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
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    1. Sandra Mandic & Kaisa Kentala & Margaretha Liliana Situmorang & Mohammad Lutfur Rahman & Kimberley King & Enrique García Bengoechea & Ann-Maree Fox & Ricardo Oliveira & Kirsten J. Coppell, 2021. "School Bag-Related Factors and Their Implications for Walking and Cycling to School among New Zealand Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Bruno Jardim & Miguel de Castro Neto, 2022. "Walkability Indicators in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, September.
    3. Yasser Amiour & E. O. D. Waygood & Pauline E. W. van den Berg, 2022. "Objective and Perceived Traffic Safety for Children: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic and Built Environment Characteristics Related to Safe Travel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    4. Ellen Haug & Otto Robert Frans Smith & Jens Bucksch & Catherina Brindley & Jan Pavelka & Zdenek Hamrik & Joanna Inchley & Chris Roberts & Frida Kathrine Sofie Mathisen & Dagmar Sigmundová, 2021. "12-Year Trends in Active School Transport across Four European Countries—Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.

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