sCOOL2walk

Active mobility is critical for children's health and development, with walking to school being one of the most beneficial activities. Several studies have found that children who regularly walk to school are more physically active throughout the day and have better cardiovascular health than those who commute by car or public transportation.

In addition to the physical health benefits, walking to school also has important social and cognitive benefits for children. By walking with friends or family members, children have the opportunity to develop social skills and form meaningful relationships. Walking to school also helps children develop a sense of independence and responsibility, as they learn to navigate their environment safely and make decisions on their own.

Despite these benefits, however, the number of children who walk or bike to school has decreased significantly in recent years, with many parents opting to drive their children instead. This trend is partly due to concerns about safety, as well as the increasing availability of car transportation.

The sCOOL2walk project is aimed at promoting walkability among children and youth by creating a web application that connects parents and students to share their commute to school. The initiative will be implemented in several schools across Europe. Thanks to the involvement and support of Barcelona, Malta and Riga’s city councils, sCOOL2walk has reached over 4 schools that are willing to promote active mobility among their pupils, including Siggiewi Primary School in Malta, Rigas 45 vidusskola, and Col·legi Sant Ramon Nonat, Escola Auró, and Escola Els Llorers in Barcelona.

The schools involved are aware of this concern, and believe there is room for improvement in the active mobility aspect. Recent surveys conducted at Siggiewi Primary School in Malta and Barcelona's Sant Ramon Nonat revealed that 50% and 73% of the students, respectively, already walk to school. However, the surveys also found that close to 40% of Siggiewi's school pupils and 11% of Sant Ramon Nonat's students still go to school in private vehicles (see figure below).

The goal of the sCOOL2walk project is to improve these figures and encourage more children to walk to school in a safe and sustainable way. By utilizing technology to connect parents and students, the project aims to increase awareness of the benefits of walking, such as improved health and reduced traffic congestion, while also making the journey to school safer for everyone involved.