Is there a gender gap in school travel? An examination of US children and adolescents

Previous research on school travel showed an inconsistent relationship between sex and the prevalence of walking or biking to school. Some studies found that males were more likely to use active transport modes, but other research found no association between sex and school travel. This study used data from the 1977, 1983, 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2009 US National Household Travel Surveys to examine sex differences in school travel and how they have changed over time. The analysis showed that males walked to and from school more than females, though differences were modest – between 1% and 2% points – and were statistically significant only in 1990. In contrast, males biked to school two to three times more than females. These modal differences may result from females’ observed lower levels of independent mobility. Policy interventions, such as the Safe Routes to School program, can address gender differences by providing programs such as the Walking School Bus that provide adult supervision on the school trip. Bicycle interventions should ensure that females are participating in the programs.

► Sharp differences in prevalence of biking to and from school by children’s sex.
► Few differences in prevalence of walking to and from school by children’s sex.
► Safe Routes to School education and encouragement strategies should address the gender gap in biking to school.