1. Walkable Commercial Districts
Making the Economic Case and Design Principles

2. 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

3. VERMONT Biking and walking, health and property value benefits
$400 million in economic impact, including
1,400 jobs
$41 million in wages
$83 million in revenue
“Ensuring that Vermonters have safe and convenient facilities for walking and bicycling could save the state millions of dollars per year in health care, social services and transportation costs.”
Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont, 2009
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4. Jobs
Pedestrian infrastructure only – 5.18 jobs/M direct, 9.91 total
Road only – 4.06 jobs/m$ 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
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5. Walkability Makes Places People Love
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6. DEVELOPERS know it
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7. REALTORS KNOW IT: National Association of Realtors’ Community Preference Survey

8. 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
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9. “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
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10. Places People Spend Money
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11. 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.
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12. People on foot & bike spend more per MONTH
Portland, OR
Clifton, Kelly, Exploring the Relationship Between Consumer Behavior and Mode Choice
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13. “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
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14. 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
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15. THE REALITY OF BALANCED TRANSPORTATION
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16. #walksum13

17. Darren Flusche Darren@BikeLeague.org
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