City Manager’s Office

EVANSTON

June 29, 2015

Economic Benefits of Bicycling

Carrie ButhIntergovernmental Affairs Intern

Case Study: How Cyclists Have Boosted Business Around the Country

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NEW STUDIES CONFIRM THAT BICYCLISTS:• Spend more per week than those who use other

forms of transportation• Boost local business• Take up less space than cars• Bring business

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NEW YORK CITY: BICYCLISTS SPEND MORE PER WEEK THAN THOSE WHO USE OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

• In 2010, the New York City Department of Transportation installed protected bike lanes on 1st and 2nd Ave in the East Village, which increased bicycle ridership by 177% and 54% respectively

• In 2012, Transportation Alternatives studied people’s spending patterns based on transportation mode

• Bicyclists were shown to spend the most per week

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NEW YORK CITY: BICYCLISTS SPEND MORE PER WEEK THAN THOSE WHO USE OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

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FORT WORTH: BICYCLISTS BOOST LOCAL BUSINESS

• In 2008, a street in Fort Worth, Texas was restriped, changing it from two lanes in both directions, used mainly for cars, to two lanes in both directions, but one for cars and one for bikes

• A parking garage was added nearby and 160 bike spaces were added in front of businesses

• Restaurant revenues increased along the street by a combined total of 179%

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PORTLAND: BICYCLISTS TAKE UP LESS SPACE THAN CARS

• Over 100 bike corrals have been installed in Portland, Oregon

• One parking space can be converted to corrals for at least 10 bikes

• On average, bicyclists were found to spend $75.66 per month at bars, restaurants, and convenience stores whereas those who drove spent $61.03

In many circumstances, one car holds one person, whereas a parking spot converted to a bike corral can hold over ten people in the same amount of space

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MEMPHIS: BICYCLISTS BRING BUSINESS

• In 2010, temporary bike lines and crosswalks were painted in Memphis, Tennessee in preparation for a day-and-a-half long community festival called “A New Face for an Old Broad”

• Bicyclists continued to utilize the temporary lanes after the event, so the city promised permanent facilities, which connect two major parks in Memphis

• This promise has drawn more than $6 million in private investment, with 15 new businesses and 30 renovated properties, creating a booming Arts District in less than a decade

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CONCLUSION• Bicyclists spend more per week than

those who use other forms of transportation• Providing space for bicyclists benefits

businesses• 10+ Bicyclists take up the same amount of

space as one car• Bicyclists promote local business

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ADDITIONAL COMMUNITIES:• Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, Austin - Protected Bike Lanes

Mean Business: How 21st Century Transportation Networks Help New Urban Economies Boomhttps://www.sfbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Protected_Bike_Lanes_Mean_Business.pdf

• Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado… - Bicycling Means Business: The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructurehttp://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small).pdf

• Lygon St, Melbourne, Australia - Slides 13-22 of Bike Parking in Shopping Stripshttp://colabradio.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Value_of_Bike_Parking_Alison_Lee.pdf