East Palo Alto Speaks: What Residents Say About Walking, Biking, and Safety
When you ask East Palo Alto residents what they appreciate most about their city, the responses are similar across the spectrum: the people, the culture, the sense of belonging. The love for the community runs deep and that love can be a powerful foundation for collective action. When it comes to how residents move through their neighborhoods, however, the story shifts. The reality is clear, people want safer, healthier, and more connected ways to get around the city, but the street infrastructure often fails to meet their needs.
From March through December 2024, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) and Live in Peace partnered to ask residents and visitors directly about their transportation experiences. A total of 141 people responded to a needs assessment survey, 129 of whom responded in English and 12 in Spanish. The survey gathered insights on how people travel, how safe they feel, and what barriers keep them from walking or biking more often.
These efforts were made possible through the James Cary Smith Community Grant, which, over the past three years, has strengthened SVBC’s ability to serve our equity communities—people most impacted by climate pollution. Through activities like a community infrastructure ride, data collection, and the creation of this needs assessment, we’ve taken an important first step toward building deeper, lasting partnerships with East Palo Alto residents and community-based organizations.
Residents Want to Walk and Bike More
The majority of respondents told us they wish they could walk and bike more. Over 90 residents (64%) said they would like to walk more frequently, and just as many expressed a desire to bike more often. At the same time, most said they would like to drive less. These insights tell us that the interest in active transportation is here. It’s not about demand, it’s about the conditions needed to make it safe and accessible.
Safety is the Breaking Point
Only about 19% of responders said they feel safe walking or biking in East Palo Alto. More than half said they only feel safe “sometimes,” while 30% reported not feeling safe at all.
The reasons for feeling unsafe were many, including the most prominent ones:
106 residents (76%) said speeding cars make the streets unsafe.
73 residents (53%) pointed to missing sidewalks.
68 residents (49%) named poor lighting.
63 residents (45%) raised concerns about crime.
Parents also voiced that many streets are unsafe for children.
Taken together, these responses paint a stark picture. Over 80% of residents have real concerns about something as simple as walking to the store, getting their children to school, or biking to work.
Beyond Infrastructure: Everyday Barriers
To further understand the barriers participants face, we asked directly why they don’t bike more. Responders shared a mix of safety and practical barriers, including:
51 residents (38%) do not feel safe on the road.
48 residents (36%) do not feel safe in their surroundings.
41 residents (30%) mention having to travel long distances to reach destinations.
33 residents (24%) identified the need to carry items.
21 residents (16%) call out the lack of secure storage for bikes.
Some residents also shared social concerns, such as fear of judgment or arriving sweaty to work.
These insights remind us that transportation isn’t just about physical infrastructure; it’s also about people’s lived realities, their time, and dignity.
Opportunity in Community Voices
Based on the results from this needs assessment, what stands out most is that residents are ready for change. The desire for safer, greener, and more affordable transportation options is strong. With investments in safe sidewalks, bike lanes, better lighting, traffic calming measures, and culturally responsive bike programs, East Palo Alto has the opportunity to reshape mobility into something that reflects its community values: safety, connection, and care. The survey is not the final step; it’s a beginning. It’s a call to action for leaders, advocates, and neighbors to listen closely to residents and work together toward solutions rooted in their lived experiences.
We hope these results inform change that brings about equity, health, and builds a city where people can move freely and confidently, no matter their age, income, or background. Learn more about the findings in the full needs assessment report.