Lay summary
The lack of physical activity in adolescents is a global health problem. Active transport to school is a convenient way to increase physical activity in the adolescent's day-to-day schedule and adopt an environmentally sustainable travel practice. The purpose of the BEATS Parental Survey is to examine parental perceptions of different transport modes to school; motivations and barriers for active transport to school; perceptions of the built environment and safety of the route to school; physical activity habits; weight status; health behaviours and route to work; and their relationship to active transport to school habits in adolescents. This cross-sectional study will use a mixed-method approach incorporating a self-completed questionnaire; objective measures of physical activity; anthropometry assessment; and focus groups. The findings will provide valuable information for health promotion, schools and city councils, and will inform future interventions for built environment change, education campaigns, school policy development, and city policy development.