Abstract
Background: Active school transport (AST) is an important source of children's physical activity (PA). 'School Travel Plans' may increase AST by addressing school-specific concerns such as road safety and traffic congestion. One intervention being implemented across Canada that aims to increase AST is the Canadian School Travel Planning (STP) project. Objective: To evaluate the National STP intervention by examining a) mode shift (pre- to post-intervention), and b) the correlates of mode shift. Methods: Parental surveys were distributed pre- (n=11,243) and post- (n=7304) intervention to gauge family attitudes and practices concerning the school trip. Additionally, each school (n=72) also completed classroom hands-up surveys to determine school travel modes. Results: There was a modest increase (1%) in walking in the morning and afternoon periods. Greater shifts occurred provincially (up to 6%) and on a school-by-school basis (some schools = >20%). 17% of families (1126 households) reported driving less to school, and 18% reported driving less from school. Using binary logistic regression, distance, the child's age and perceptions of neighbourhood safety predicted reductions in driving. Conclusion: The STP intervention achieved its goal of encouraging a National shift from passive to active school travel.Greater shifts towards active school travel may occur once the STP program has had more time to become ingrained in the school and community culture.Acknowledgments: This research was funded through the Canadian Partnership Against CancerÔÇÖs CLASP (Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention) initiative and the Public Health Agency of Canada.