28 April 2026
LTU researcher joins debate on children’s reduced freedom of movement
More children should walk or cycle to school, but current measures are not enough. This is the core message of a debate article in Aftonbladet, where Anna-Karin Lindqvist, researcher at Luleå University of Technology, highlights the need for safer environments and stronger efforts to increase children’s daily physical activity.
The article argues that children’s freedom of movement has declined significantly over generations and is today, in some cases, more restricted than that of grazing cattle. Drawing on statistics, the authors show how children’s independent mobility has shrunk from being able to move freely across large areas to often being limited to the immediate surroundings of the home. They point to urban planning, traffic environments and adult concerns as key factors, warning that this trend may negatively affect both health and development.
Active school transport
One of the authors is Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Professor at Luleå University of Technology and project leader for research on active school transport. The debate article is grounded in current research on children’s physical activity, independence and health. The project aims to encourage more children to walk or cycle to school by studying and influencing factors such as traffic safety, health and social norms. The goal is to create long-term changes that strengthen children’s health, learning and independence.
The article is co-signed by:
- Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Professor of Physiotherapy and Health Promotion, Luleå University of Technology
- Anna Niska, Research Director, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute
- Carolina Klüft, Director, Generation Pep
- Per Hasselberg, Chair, Swedish Cycling Association
- Per Nilsson, Professor of Education and Vice-Chancellor, Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
- Cecilia Winberg, President, Swedish Association of Physiotherapists
Read the Aftonbladet debate article (in swedish) “Mindre rörelsefrihet än en betande ekologisk ko”.
Contact
Anna-Karin Lindqvist
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