This project attempt to explain the reasons for a recent decline in walking or biking to school in the San Fernando Valley. Using quantitative research methods and analyses with survey data and GIS observations, we can begin to understand the correlation between transportation mode choice and family demographics. By narrowing our concentration on students and their parents in the West Valley, this study reveals that socio-economic and convenience factors affect transportation patterns to and from school.

1. West Valley: Why Don’t Children Walk Or
Bike To School Anymore?
Sarah Boylan Jackson Higgins Aldo Ortega Morgan Spadone

2. Literature Review

3. Literature Review
•Perception pertains mostly to parents and whether they feel their children
are safe enough to walk or bike alone or with a group to school (Napier,
Brown, Werner, Gallimore, 2011)
•The more people are driving or being driven, the less physical activity they
are engaging in (Napier, Brown, Werner, Gallimore, 2011).
•There are four key factors that can add the walkability of a neighborhood:
density, design, distance, and diversity. When there is access to different
kinds of locations and transportation options within a short distance, people
are more likely to walk, bike, or use alternative modes of transportation (Su,
Jerrett, McConnell, Berhane, Dunton, 2013; Woldeamanuel 2016)

4. Gap
• There was a lack of information provided about los angeles, specifically the
San Fernando Valley which is the location studied.
• Effects of sprawl on the walking and bicycling infrastructure.

5. Methodology

6. Observations
Observing front and side gate of the
schools, we were able to estimate the
mode choice of students and parents.
• during two day period, after
school
● Qualitative (Lit Review + Observations)
● Quantitative (Survey + GIS + Walk Score)
Research Design
Our research focuses on
the walking and biking
behaviors of students from
kindergarten to the 12th
grade and how the built
environment as well as
care culture affects their
mode choices.

7. Parent Surveys
• 50 participants. 10 parents
were surveyed from school.
• Surveys filled out in paper
form. No identifying
questions were asked of the
parent.

8. GIS
• Observed walking and biking infrastructure on Google Maps to give a score
to each road within a .25 mile buffer zone
• 2/good: “Paved leveled sidewalk no surface obstacles, without or
without ADA-compliant ramps at the end of the block.”
(Woldeamanuel, 2016).
• 1/fair: “Paved sidewalk, which has obstacles such as large cracks or
elevations that can cause a person to trip or fall.” (Woldeamanuel, 2016).
• 0/Bad: “Non paved sidewalk, sloping, uneven dirt or grass.” or that only
one side of the street has a paved sidewalk. (Woldeamanuel, 2016).
• The information will be shown in the colors of green for good, orange for
fair, and red for bad walking quality.

9. Results And Findings From
Parent Surveys And GIS Data

10. Data From West Valley Schools: Convenience
⅓
median
travel time
median
distance
median age

11. Mode Choice To and From West Valley Schools
46% of students are MULTIMODAL.38% of students are MULTIMODAL.
41% average… WHY?

13. Comparison
Hamlin Elementary
and
Canoga Park Elementary
20% vs. 50%
Reason: Distance

14. Comparison
Canoga Park Elementary
and
Canoga Park Senior High School
50% vs. 60%
Reason: Age/Grade

15. Hamlin
Elementary
School

16. Canoga Park
Elementary
School

17. Columbus
Middle
School

18. Hale
Charter
Academy

19. Canoga Park
Senior High
School

20. Walking Index
Walk Index
Good Roads Index
Hale Charter School: 40.30
Columbus Middle School: 38.77
Hamlin Elementary School: 37.44
Canoga Park High School: 11.73
Canoga Park Elementary: 8.97
Total: 137.21
Fair Roads Index
Canoga Park High: .92
Hamlin Elementary School: .76
Total: 1.68
Total Miles: 17.53
Good: 13.45 Miles
Fair: .33 Miles
Bad: 3.75 Miles

21. Analysis

22. Analysis of West Valley Schools
• Hamlin is the antithesis of multimodal.
• Students use personal transportation
• Students live outside the buffer zone
• Canoga Park High School and Canoga Park Elementary School
are multi modal schools
• Age difference separates the two
• Both have low quality bike/walk paths

23. The Paradox

24. Recommendations

25. Recommendations
• Creation of walking and biking groups
• Working with PTA to group children by neighborhood and find parents and
children who are willing to walk and bike to and from school.
• Encourage healthier lifestyles and teach road safety
• Request city to repave school sidewalks that are considered fair/bad
• Canoga Park High School and Canoga Park Elementary School
• Request city to add bike lanes around schools
• Cross guards
• Reduce congestion
• Get children safely across intersections

26. Conclusion

27. • Our research offered insight on the walking and biking infrastructures around schools as well as
parents perceptions and their transportation choices.
• This was vital to understanding why children do not bike or walk to school anymore.
• We were able to observe and identify obstacles children and parents face with the biking and
walking infrastructure and offer recommendations in order to improve the streets as well as
overall health of students.
• With our recommendations and the active participation of students, parents, faculty, and teachers
we can potentially get children back on their bikes, back in their walking shoes, and hitting the
pavements to get to school.
Conclusion

28. Questions? Comments?