New global study highlights gaps in measuring young people's active travel
A new international study has raised important questions about how effectively we measure active travel among children and young people. Researchers examined data from 57 countries and jurisdictions, including the UK, covering more than five million children and adolescents worldwide.
Published in June 2026, the review found that while active travel, such as walking and cycling, is widely recognised as an important contributor to young people's health and wellbeing, the way it is measured varies considerably between countries. Most nations focused solely on journeys to and from school, overlooking other everyday trips such as travelling to parks, shops, sports facilities, or friends' homes. Data collection methods were also criticised for minimising the complexity involved in young people's travel choices.
However issues with measurements between countries make the comparisons difficult to interpret - the authors argue that stronger, more consistent approaches to measuring active travel are needed internationally. Better data would help researchers, policymakers and practitioners understand how young people travel, identify barriers to active travel, and develop more effective strategies to support healthier, more active lifestyles.
If you're interested in young people's perspectives on Active Travel in their local community you can download our toolkit here.
Source: Campos-Garzón, P., Koen, L., Aubert, S., Sarmiento, O. L., Tremblay, M. S., & Larouche, R. (2026). Active transportation surveillance in children and adolescents: a global review using Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix 4.0 data. Journal of Transport & Health, 49, 102341. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2026.102341