Walkable Commercial Districts Making the Economic Case and Design Principles

Calibri 44 pt. Calibri 32 pt. Calibri 28 pt. Calibri 24 pt. Wisconsin Bicycle recreation and tourism contributes $924 million annually to the economy, while health benefits total $409 million annually (2010). State Iowa Commuter and recreational bicycling generates more than $400 million in economic activity and health savings of $87 million each year (2011). State Minnesota In 2009, people on bikes spend $261 million on bicycling goods and services, supporting more than 5,000 jobs and generating $35,845 in taxes. State Colorado In 2000, bicycle manufacturing, retail, tourism and bike races contributed $1 billion to the economy. State Vermont In 2009, biking and walking generated 1,400 jobs, $41 million in wages, and $83 million in revenue — Including health and property value benefits brings the total to $400 million in economic impact. state North Carolina’s Outer Banks Bicycle tourism generates $60 million in economic activity per year. The region sees an annual nine-to-one return on its one-time $6.7 million investment in bicycle infrastructure. Regional/City Boulder, CO The economic activity of Boulder's bicycle industry exceeds $52 million, supporting 330 jobs. Regional/City San Francisco’s Valencia Street Two-thirds of merchants say new bike lanes have improved business and supported more traffic calming measures on the street (2004). Neighborhood/District Bloor Street, Toronto, Ontario People who bike spend more money per month than those who drive (2009). Neighborhood/District Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN Since Arts District and bike lanes program started in 2012, 16 new businesses opened and 29 properties have been renovatied. Neighborhood/District Washington, D.C. 83 percent of bikeshare users are more likely to patronize a business if it is located near a Capital Bikeshare station. Regional/City Schuylkill River Trail, which follows the Schuylkill River from Pottsville to Philadelphia, Pa 78 percent of trail users purchase hard goods, like bikes, accessories, and clothing to use on the trail, averaging $406. Trail Monon Trail, Indianapolis, IN A home's value increases 11 percent just for being a half mile closer to the trail. Trail

VERMONT Biking and walking, health and property value benefits $400 million in economic impact, including 1,400 jobs $41 million in wages $83 million in revenue http://www.localmotion.org/documents/advocacy/Final_Draft_Report_Econ_Impact_Walking_and_Biking_030812.pdf “Ensuring that Vermonters have safe and convenient facilities for walking and bicycling could save the state millions of dollars per year in health care, social services and transportation costs.” Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont, 2009 #walksum13

Jobs Pedestrian infrastructure only – 5.18 jobs/M direct, 9.91 total Road only – 4.06 jobs/m$ direct, 7.75 Less $ for materials = more for salaries Pedestrian infrastructure creates more jobs per dollar than road-only construction Source: Garrett-Peltier, Heidi, Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts, Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts, Amherst, June 2011 #walksum13

Walkability Makes Places People Love #walksum13

DEVELOPERS know it #walksum13

REALTORS KNOW IT: National Association of Realtors’ Community Preference Survey

HOME VALUES 13 of 15 Metro Areas $4K-$34K greater value for walkability E.G. Charlotte, NC “Same” house in: Ashley Park Walk Score: 54 Median home: $280,000.  Wilmore Walk Score: 71 Median home: $314,000. Cortright, Joseph, How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities http://www.ceosforcities.org//research/walking-the-walk/ #walksum13

“Walkability promotes a more vibrant community.” BUSINESSES TYPES “Walkability promotes a more vibrant community.” Home values are higher within walking distance of: Eating establishments Grocery stores Clothing stores Misc. retail WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS An Economic Development Strategy , WalkSanDiego http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/act/transportation/Walkable-Neighborhoods-An-Economic-Development-Strategy-AARP.pdf #walksum13

Places People Spend Money #walksum13

People on foot & bike spend more per week East Village, NYC Visitor Frequency Respondents traveling by bike and on foot vistited the neighborhood most often. Almost two-thirds of pedestrians and bicyclists visited five or more times a week, while ony 44 percent of drivers visited more than five times a week. Subway riders represented almost half of respondents, but only one-third visited the neighborhood five or more times a week. Transportation Alternatives. East Village Shoppers Study: A Snapshot of Travel and Spending Patterns of Residents and Visitors in the East Village. Oct 1, 2012. #walksum13

People on foot & bike spend more per MONTH Portland, OR Clifton, Kelly, Exploring the Relationship Between Consumer Behavior and Mode Choice #walksum13

“WEEKEND WALK” 75% of businesses reported an increase of foot traffic Brooklyn, NY 75% of businesses reported an increase of foot traffic 86% reported that sales came in above their normal summer weekend average  Weekend Walks: Montague Street NYC DOT www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/ssi11-wknd-walks-montague.pdf #walksum13

GOOD FOR BUSINE$$ London Study: 85% of businesses said quality of streetscape is important “Their front door is the street” American Independent Business Alliance: Local businesses thrive Local businesses 3X econ benefit #walksum13

THE REALITY OF BALANCED TRANSPORTATION #walksum13

#walksum13

Darren Flusche Darren@BikeLeague.org #walksum13