Road safety fears deterring families from journeying on foot, survey finds

According to a study by road safety charity Brake, families are put off making journeys on foot or bike, due to feeling scared of the dangers of oncoming vehicles.

The survey found that 38 per cent of respondents claimed they felt intimidated by traffic while out walking or cycling in their neighbourhood. Furthermore, 65 per cent of people believe more needs to be done to ensure routes to school are safer for children travelling by foot or by bike.

67 per cent of respondents said there should be more paths, cycle paths and crossings in they neighbourhood.

Data shows that 53 children under 16 were killed and 2,029 seriously injured on British roads in 2014, the majority of which were travelling by foot or bicycle at the time.

The news comes as the charity is preparing for Giant Walk, an event to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns, said: “Brake’s Giant Walk is a great way for schools to highlight the need for safer roads in their communities to enable children to be able to walk or cycle to school without fear or threat from traffic.

“Every year as part of this fantastic event, schools use resources and support from Brake to run lessons across a variety of subjects around the theme of road safety and active travel.”