This document discusses studies that show the economic benefits of investing in bicycle infrastructure and accommodations. It provides examples from New York City, Fort Worth, Portland, and Memphis that found bicyclists spend more per week than other forms of transportation, that providing space for bicycling boosts local businesses, and that bicyclists take up less parking space but promote additional local spending. The conclusion summarizes that bicyclists spend more and benefit businesses, while taking up less space than cars.

1. City Manager’s Office
EVANSTON
June 29, 2015
Economic Benefits of Bicycling
Carrie Buth
Intergovernmental Affairs Intern
Case Study: How Cyclists Have Boosted Business Around the Country

2. City Manager’s Office
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

3. City Manager’s Office
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

4. City Manager’s Office
NEW YORK CITY: BICYCLISTS SPEND
MORE PER WEEK THAN THOSE WHO USE
OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

5. City Manager’s Office
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%

6. City Manager’s Office
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

7. City Manager’s Office
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

8. City Manager’s Office
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

9. City Manager’s Office
ADDITIONAL COMMUNITIES:
• Chicago, San Francisco, Portland,Austin - Protected Bike Lanes
Mean Business: How 21st Century Transportation Networks Help
New Urban Economies Boom
https://www.sfbike.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/04/Protected_Bike_Lanes_Mean_Busines
s.pdf
• Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado… - Bicycling Means
Business: The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure
http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Eco
n_Update(small).pdf
• Lygon St, Melbourne,Australia - Slides 13-22 of Bike Parking in
Shopping Strips
http://colabradio.mit.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/12/Value_of_Bike_Parking_Alison_Lee.pdf