Economic Effects of Traffic Calming on Urban Small Businesses Emily Drennen

Traffic Calming and Small Businesses Traffic calming definition Businesses and traffic calming Improved business conditions Benefits of business support Need for better outreach tools

Valencia Street Bike Lane Merchant Survey Project area Bike lane project On-street census Interviewed 27 businesses

Key Result #1

Key Result #2

Hypotheses 1. Economic Revitalization and Property Values 2. Livability and Safety 3. Sales and Attracting Customers 4. Parking 5. Impact on Employees 6. Construction and Costs

Results 30% 4%37%Sales 4%35%62%Pedestrian safety 15%52%11%22%Effect of traffic congestion on nearby streets 4%22%26%7%41%Effect of traffic congestion on Valencia Street 4%39%4%8%46%Effect of reduced auto speed on sales 4%23%73%Attractiveness of street 33%52%15%Commercial/residential property values 22%30%4%44%Economic revitalization for area Don’t Know No Effec t Balanc ed Wors e BetterImpact of Traffic Calming

Results Cont’d. Don’t Know No Effec t Balanc ed Wors e Bette r Impact of Traffic Calming 31%46%12% 0%Effect of bike lane construction on business 4%30%67%Convenience for employees 7% 15%70%Use of middle traffic lane for double parking 4%12% 39%35%Access for delivery trucks 4%65%4%12%15%Customer parking 11%44% New customers from outside the neighborhood 7%33%4%56%Area residents shopping locally 7%30%63%Number of customers who ride bicycles 15%63%22%Pedestrian activity

Next Steps More research into attitudes of small businesses Another case study Econometric studies Outreach tools needed for urban small businesses Benefits of better outreach to small businesses

Economic Effects of Traffic Calming on Urban Small Businesses Emily Drennen