Why do bike lanes mean business?
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They're saferBike lanes are safe for all road users; not just people riding bikes. After the Bloor bike lanes went in:
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They're popular with residentsOver 80% of residents support protected bike lanes (Ekos, 2018) |
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They're popular with BIAsToronto BIAs support their protected bike lanes. Bloor, Richmond, and Adelaide have all been very successful, so the Financial District, Entertainment, St. Lawrence, Bloor Annex, and Mirvish Village BIAs have all come out in support of their bike lanes. |
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People biking spend moneyCyclists spend more money: a study in Portland found that customers who biked spent 24% more per month than those who drove. |
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Customer spending increasesOn Bloor Street, business has gone up since the bike lanes went in: in 2015, average customer spending was $186 per month. In 2017, after the bike lanes were installed, average customer spending was $245 per month. |
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They increase customer accessBike lanes mean more people can safely get to stores on main streets, and more people means more business! After bike lanes were installed on Bloor St, the average number of weekday customers served went up from 73 per weekday (2015) to 104 per weekday (2017). |
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They're transit-supportiveNot everyone lives within walking distance of a subway in Toronto. Building bike lanes can support and extend access to transit, such as by making it easier to bike to a subway station or GO station. Many buses in Toronto have bike racks on the front, so even if you need to catch a bus, you can still bring your bike! |
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More people cycle than drive on main streetsOn Bloor St in the Annex, most people (48%) walk to the stores. 23% of people take transit, 20% of people bike and only 9% drive. |
Where else have bike lanes improved business?
Victoria, BC
In Victoria, people riding a bicycle reported spending more money per month at downtown businesses compared to people who drove.2
New York City, USA
In New York City, there was a 102% increase in retail sales on Vanderbilt Avenue after bike lanes and traffic calming were installed. In comparison sites, retail sales only increased by 64%.1
How does Cycle Toronto support local business?
Cycle Toronto frequently works with business improvement areas (BIAs) on major bike lane projects to identify potential challenges and work toward solutions. We work collaboratively and on an ongoing basis with many different business owners. Listed below are some of our current and past initiatives:
Current Initiatives
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Organizing #BikesLoveYonge with Cycle Toronto Midtown and Cycle Don Valley Midtown to show how people riding bikes can support local and independent businesses, particularly for pandemic recovery. Worked with collaborating partners at the Yonge + St. Clair BIA, Midtown Yonge BIA, Uptown Yonge BIA, and Yonge Lawrence Village BIA. |
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Organizing #BikeTOBloor with Deputy Mayor and Davenport Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Gord Perks, the Bloordale Village BIA, Bloorcourt Village BIA, and Bloor by the Park BIA to celebrate the brand new bike lanes on Bloor St and support local and independent businesses. |
Past Initiatives
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Organized a Tour de Bloor Passport to encourage people to bike and buy locally. |
Some icons from Freepik, IconGeek26, and Nikita Golubev. Material on this website adapted from "Bikeways and Business on Bloor Street: Research Summary", City of Toronto, 2019.
Notes
1 Bikeways and Business on Bloor Street: Research Summary. Toronto: City of Toronto, 2019.
2 Bikes Mean Business: Building a Great Cycling (and Walking) City. Victoria, BC: Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, 2013.
Icon credits: Nikita Golubev, Wichai.wi
