From "unprotected" to "active" road user - Create new norms to promote children´s active transport

Purpose and goal:

We have achieved the aim of the project and created and disseminated a national recommendation that supports the use of active school transport. The recommendation is aimed at parents/children, and social actors such as schools, road managers, road and city planners. Through a strategic communication plan, we have received a lot of media attention for the recommendation and created a debate about the health effects versus risks of active transportation.

A child impact analysis has been carried out for the recommendation to ensure that the children´s best interests are in focus. Expected results and effects:

We have increased knowledge about the conditions for children´s active transport and attitudes of parents in socio-economically vulnerable areas. We have also done a Photovoice study where the children were given the opportunity to highlight their perspectives, which has been presented both as an exhibition for decision makers in Sweden and as a scientific article.

We have made two debate articles (DN debate and Aftonbladet) to create debate about health effects versus risk with active transportation. This has also resulted in a great deal of attention in TV, radio and newspapers. Approach and implementation:

Through studies with children and parents, together with 50 different organizations (for example the Swedish Transport Administration, the Public Health Agency, SKR, county administrative boards) and a compilation of facts in a child impact analysis to ensure the best interests of the children, a recommendation has been developed and disseminated. Although a large debate in society has arisen, work remains to implement the recommendation in schools and other social actors, as well as continued work to change the social norms around active transportation among children.