Low-Income Latino Cyclists in Los Angeles County: A Socioeconomic Spatial Analysis

Overview

Much bicycle planning and advocacy focuses on encouraging travelers to switch to cycling from other transport modes, namely automobiles. At the same time, research suggests that an alternate, even overlooked cyclist cohort exists in Los Angeles County: those without access to autos or quality transit service who ride bicycles out of necessity. Principal among these “necessity” cyclists are low-income Latinos. We investigate this so-called “invisible cyclist” hypothesis through a spatial examination of low-income Latino cyclists in Los Angeles County. We find a connection between low-income Latinos and travel by all Census-designated “other” modes, including motorcycles and taxis in addition to bicycles. This research suggests a need for participatory planning and outreach not just for bicycles, but for a host of alternate commute travel modes in areas with large low-income and Latino populations.