Environmental influences on children’s active travel: a spatial analysis of school routes

This study examines how the built environment influences children’s physical activity during school travel and within school neighborhoods in Olomouc, Czechia. The dataset combines accelerometer-measured activity, manually mapped routes, and GIS-based environmental indicators. Data from 161 eighth-grade pupils across ten primary schools were analyzed using 25 m route buffers and 500 m network service areas around schools. Variables included building height, pedestrian infrastructure, traffic intensity, greenery, noise, and traffic accidents. Active school travel was positively associated with sidewalk area, traffic intensity, building height, and traffic accidents, revealing accessibility benefits and exposure risks in compact urban settings. Total daily activity and sleep were not significantly related to environmental factors. The study shows that the built environment shapes active school mobility, whereas overall activity patterns depend mainly on individual and social routines. Integrating ActiGraph accelerometer and spatial data offers an innovative approach for analyzing children’s mobility in medium-sized European cities.