The bar chart illustrates the modes of transportation employed by children aged 5 to 12 for commuting to and from school in the years 1990 and 2010.
Overall, there is a notable shift in transportation preferences over the two decades, particularly with a marked increase in car usage and a decline in walking.
In 1990, walking was the predominant mode of transport, accounting for 12 million trips. This figure diminished significantly by 2010, where walking fell to 6 million trips. Conversely, car passenger trips experienced substantial growth; rising from 7 million in 1990, it became the most prevalent transport choice in 2010, with 10 million trips recorded. Furthermore, bus trips remained relatively stable, recording 7 million in 1990 but declining to approximately 5 million by 2010. Cycling, while initially less favored with only 2 million trips in 1990, saw a modest increase to 3 million trips in 2010, indicating a slight resurgence in this mode of transport.
Additionally, the combined trips made by walking and bus remained unchanged at 1 million across both years. This stable figure suggests that the advantages of combining these transport methods were maintained despite changing transportation trends. Overall, the-transition from reliance on walking toward a preference for car travel reflects broader societal changes, including possibly increased vehicle ownership and changing perceptions regarding safety and convenience in commuting.