New research finds state policies that support children’s school commute can improve their health

Walking or biking to school may do more than just help kids arrive on time—it may also play a meaningful role in improving children’s overall health. A recent study led by Melissa Bopp, professor and associate department head of kinesiology at Penn State, examined the relationship between Safe Routes to School policies and active transportation funding and their impact on physical activity, obesity, and access to healthy environments for children and adolescents across the United States. 

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national initiative that supports safer walking and biking conditions for students by improving infrastructure, implementing school programs, and revising transportation policies. 

“The main goals of safe routes programs are to provide state-level support for programming, help set and guide policies or laws surrounding walk or bicycle-friendly environments near schools, lead planning efforts surrounding children's transportation, and, perhaps most impactfully, offer grant support for schools or districts to make improvements to increase active transportation at a local level,” Bopp said.  

By analyzing data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the research team compared state-level transportation and school policies with measures of physical activity, obesity rates, chronic health conditions, and neighborhood access to parks and sidewalks. States with stronger active transportation policies consistently showed lower rates of childhood obesity, fewer chronic health conditions, and greater access to physical activity resources. 

“There were a number of important physical and mental health findings from our analysis, but perhaps the one with the greatest potential for long-term health impact is the relationship between these policies and obesity,” Bopp said. “There are detrimental physical and mental health impacts associated with childhood obesity, and we found that areas that incorporated safe routes programs had a lower rate of obesity among their childhood population.” 

The findings reinforce the idea that everyday movement, like walking or biking to school, can have a powerful long-term impact on children’s health. For many students, the school commute may be one of the most consistent opportunities for daily physical activity. 

Neighborhood design also plays a critical role. Communities with sidewalks, safe street crossings, parks, and traffic-calming measures make it easier and safer for children and families to incorporate walking into their daily routines and commutes. 

Beyond individual health, the study highlights the importance of policy in supporting healthier communities. States that invested more in safe walking and biking options tended to see better health outcomes for children overall, underscoring the impact of transportation decisions on public health. 

“There is plenty of evidence that shows walking and cycling to school is associated with many health benefits,” Bopp said. “States that support active commuting for children through state-level policies, plans, funding, and infrastructure have better child health outcomes. This should encourage parents and communities to engage in advocacy to support Safe Routes to School initiatives in their areas.”  

While the study focuses on large-scale policy trends, it demonstrates that creating safer, more walkable routes to school can support healthier kids. As communities seek practical ways to address childhood obesity and inactivity, helping students safely walk or bike to school may be one step in the right direction, according to the researchers. 

This study builds on previous research from Bopp, which identified barriers to walking and biking among children, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities. 

Originally published in December 2025.