Parents say Lower Speed Limits Would help kids Exercise more
The survey revealed 54 per cent of parents thought their kids would be more physically active if speed limits were lowered, with 49 per cent identifying busy and dangerous roads as the main reason their children don’t walk or cycle to school.
Sustrans’ Free Range Kids campaign is calling for a default national 20mph speed limit in residential areas to help tackle to the UK’s growing obesity epidemic – a call backed by Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation.
It should be as easy as possible for everyone to get active as part of their everyday life. Walking or cycling to school is a simple way for children to fit activity into their daily lives.
Sustrans’ Chief Executive Malcolm Shepherd said: “It’s a tragedy that so many of our children are failing to meet recommended physical activity levels but little wonder when parents don’t feel that their local streets are safe.
“We urgently need to make our neighbourhoods safer if we’re to get kids active by walking and cycling to school and playing outdoors. Parents want to see safer streets - the Government must change the standard speed limit to 20mph on the streets where we live, work and play.”
Nearly 90 per cent of parents responding to the survey said their children were within the healthy weight range although more than a third of children in the UK are known to be obese.
This reflects the findings of some previous studies that show parents routinely overestimate the amount of exercise their children are getting and underestimate their weight range.
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We know that children aren’t getting active enough. This can directly affect their health - increasing their risk of developing long term conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
“It should be as easy as possible for everyone to get active as part of their everyday life. Walking or cycling to school is a simple way for children to fit activity into their daily lives.
“But for people to feel confident to do this, we need towns and cities which encourage people to have an active lifestyle. Steps like reducing the speed limit in residential areas are one of the ways we can help create environments which inspire people to be more active,” he added.
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FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam
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