The effect of age & gender on children's mobility in Riyadh's neighborhoods

• Main Author: Musaad Al-Mosaind
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-03-01
• Series: Heliyon
• Subjects: Safety engineering; Geography; Sociology; Environmental science
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844018345511

Children's mobility in terms of frequencies, challenges, and solutions have a direct impact on their lifestyle. The study aims to assess the notion of children's mobility within urban neighborhoods in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It further examines the effects of school proximity and age/gender of children on their mobility patterns within Riyadh's neighborhoods. A sample questionnaire for school going students are used to assess their mobility patterns. The study showed that age and gender have significant effects on mobility, which seemed to increase among males and older boys in particular. Although automobiles are still the dominant mode for traveling, there are significant differences in walking trips in favor of male students to neighborhood facilities including schools. The study concluded that there is a need for Saudi cities to adopt aggressive policies that promote walking for children and adults within and between nearby neighborhoods.