Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected how people moved around Los Angeles, particularly mothers in South Los Angeles. Public transportation became less frequent and more crowded, while long-standing infrastructure challenges—from cracked sidewalks to a lack of protected bike lanes—continued to make daily trips more difficult.
To better understand these experiences, our partner East Side Riders Bike Club surveyed 23 Black and Latina mothers between November 2020 and March 2021 about how COVID-19 affected their transportation needs. You can read the full survey results here.
East Side Riders Bike Club (ESRBC) is a community-based organization rooted in Watts that uses cycling, youth programming, food distribution, and community events to strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life. We are grateful for their partnership in this work.
What We Learned
Of the mothers surveyed:
- 70% identified as Latina and 30% as Black.
- 57% reported household incomes under $25,000 per year.
- 74% were between the ages of 30 and 45.
- 39% learned Spanish as their first language.
Cars Are Often Necessary—but Expensive
Eighty-three percent of respondents said a car was their primary mode of transportation. At the same time, 70% said they were not looking for or saving to purchase another vehicle, and 70% knew other mothers who struggled with the costs of car ownership, including insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
The findings suggest that while driving is often necessary, it can also be a significant financial burden.
Mothers Use Many Modes of Transportation
Most respondents drove for everyday trips such as school drop-offs, grocery shopping, and medical appointments.
However, recreation trips showed a different pattern. Mothers reported using trains, bicycles, and other transportation options for visits to parks, beaches, museums, and family gatherings. These responses suggest that many families may be open to using alternatives to driving when safe and convenient options are available.
Safety Was a Major Concern
When asked what improvements would most benefit their families, nearly half of respondents identified protected bike lanes and bike paths separated from traffic.
Many also wanted infrastructure improvements that would reduce dangerous driving and speeding. These concerns were reflected in responses about walking as well, with pedestrian safety emerging as a top priority.
For many families, transportation is not simply about getting from one place to another. It is about being able to move safely and comfortably through their neighborhoods.
Why It Matters
Transportation decisions affect daily life in profound ways—especially for parents navigating work, school, errands, healthcare appointments, and recreation.
These survey results remind us that investments in sidewalks, bike infrastructure, transit, and traffic safety are ultimately investments in people and families.
We are grateful to East Side Riders Bike Club for their partnership and for the incredible work they do in the community.
About Moms and Mobility
This survey was part of Investing in Place’s Moms and Mobility initiative, a partnership with East Side Riders Bike Club, Los Angeles Walks, and South Central LAMP. Together, we worked to elevate the experiences and priorities of women and mothers in transportation policy and investment discussions across Los Angeles.
