Children’s Mobility Patterns in the Urban Environment: Case Study – Lisbon

Abstract

The rapid urban expansion and population growth of Portuguese urban areas, particularly along the coast, have reshaped mobility choices in favour of private cars, supported by road infrastructures prioritising speed over pedestrian circulation and public transport. This has contributed to increased road accidents despite recent improvements. Responsibility for safe urban mobility is shared among several institutions, often with poor coordination, while road users maintain busy routines and limited awareness of sustainable and safe mobility practices. Reversing adolescents’ car-oriented lifestyles requires understanding current mobility patterns, their links to the built environment, and promoting more active, autonomous, and safe behaviours. The Portuguese research project Children Pedestrian License seeks to diagnose mobility patterns of young road users and encourage responsible and sustainable mobility. This paper presents a Lisbon case study carried out in the private school Colégio Moderno, involving surveys of around 350 students (3rd–8th grade) and their parents. Results indicate longer commuting distances, frequent household vehicle availability, and stated but rarely realised preferences for cycling. The study provides insights into inner-city private school students’ commuting behaviours and highlights opportunities for policy interventions. Lessons from this pilot informed the implementation of the Children Pedestrian License project in a public school in Greater Lisbon, aiming to enhance safe and sustainable mobility choices among children.