Interpersonal correlates of active transportation

Abstract

Influenced by socio-cultural norms, parents act as gatekeepers to children’s active transport and independent mobility. Commonly this is expressed through parental licence and convenience. This chapter presents a summary of these concepts as well as the forces underlying many of the day-to-day decisions parents make regarding their child’s active transport and independent mobility, specifically working parents, neighbourhood safety concerns, community connections and social surveillance. A diagram is presented to illustrate the connectivity and cyclic nature of these factors and how they impact child active transportation. Future research is needed to understand the role the millennial generation may play in breaking this cycle.