Transport to thrive: Why we shouldn’t ignore the transport needs of young people

Collings, Sarah; Chatterjee, Kiron; Cope, Andy; Burns, Tim; Adeel, Muhammad

Abstract

In the UK many disadvantaged groups lack transport choices, including young people aged 16-24. There has been little research to identify and understand the transport issues and barriers experienced by young people. This report is the first of its kind to focus on the 16-24 age group who are leaving behind youth and moving into adulthood. It presents new analyses of national travel data, combined with insights from in-depth interviews with young people leaving school and college.
Young people aged 16-24 year made 21% fewer trips compared to working age adults of 25-64 years in 2019 and this gap has widened over the past 20 years. This is limiting their access to education, employment and social opportunities. Only 40% of young people have a full driving licence in comparison to 74% of adults aged 16 or over. Young people are more likely to travel using a range of transport options including public transport, walking, cycling and new shared mobility option such as e-scooters. They contribute less to carbon emissions, as well as being likely to see the most adverse effects of future climate change.
It is essential that we better meet the transport needs of young people and other disadvantaged groups. At the heart of this is improving active travel and public transport in parallel to support multi-modal, low car lifestyles. Improving transport for 16–24-year-olds will support social and economic outcomes for the next generation of leaders and for society as a whole.

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Online Publication Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Publication Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 22, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 24, 2023
• Pages: 1-41
• Keywords: Transport; Travel behaviour; Young people; Life opportunities; Social inclusion; Long-term health outcomes
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11458474
• Publisher URL: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2021/england/transport-to-thrive/
• Additional Information: This report was produced as part of the Transport to Thrive project which aimed to make the policy case for transport that better enables young people aged 16-24 to make journeys and reach opportunities that help them to thrive. The Transport to Thrive project was delivered by the University of the West of England and Sustrans. This project is funded by and part of the Health Foundation’s Young people’s future health inquiry. The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK.