The Issues

Transportation and urban planning policies choices have a huge impact on the health, well-being and basic rights of children.

Rights of the child

• Road traffic injury is a leading cause of death for young people. 500 children die every day, thousands more are seriously hurt;
• Air pollution is a toxic, carcinogenic and invisible killer, seriously affecting the development of children’s lung function and responsible for a huge burden of health;
• Unsafe and unhealthy urban space deters people from walking, cycling and exercise. Children learn and form habits early which last a lifetime;
• Non communicable diseases and obesity, to which both air pollution and lack of exercise are contributors, are becoming a significant health issue for young people across the world;
• An estimated 1 million+ children each year miss out on education through death or injury in road traffic crashes. Many more have their life-chances affected by injuries to parents and breadwinners;
• There are serious issues of inequity in transport provision: everywhere in the world it is the poorest children who live alongside the most dangerous roads; breathe the dirtiest air; and have the biggest barriers to access to education and, eventually, employment because of where they live.