The Urbanist Agenda

Some Business Owners REALLY Hate Bike Lanes (with Bike Curious)

May 10, 2024

Jon from Bike Curious joins to discuss why some business owners really hate bike lanes, despite the overall positive impact on business. The podcast explores the clash of perspectives between business owners and urban initiatives, highlighting benefits of bike-friendly infrastructure and challenges in urban planning decisions. It also discusses the importance of adaptation for small businesses in creating vibrant communities.

49:51

Episode guests

Jon from Bike Curious

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Despite resistance, data shows bike lanes boost business revenue.

City programs can aid businesses in adjusting to bike lanes.

Engagement and success stories can shift business owner perspectives.

Deep dives

San Francisco Business Owner's Protest against Bike Lanes

Business owners in San Francisco are engaged in protests against bike lanes and pedestrian improvements due to fears of revenue loss and parking issues. Despite data indicating benefits for business from such changes, these owners are resistant to the idea, leading to conflicts and challenges in the city.

Introduction

2min

Challenges of Urban Business Owners

18min

Bike Lanes vs Business Owners: A Clash of Perspectives

20min

Navigating Change and Opportunity in Urban Business

2min

Navigating Advocacy Challenges with Small Business Owners in Urban Planning

3min

Supporting Business Growth Through Funding and Coaching Programs

2min

Celebrating Bike Lane Installations and Advocating for Urban Evolution

4min

When a bike lane was installed on Valencia Street in San Francisco, one business owner hated it so much he went on a hunger strike. Bike lanes are almost universally positive for business, so why do some business owners hate them so much? Jon from Bike Curious joins me to discuss.

San Francisco restaurant owner goes on 30-day hunger strike over new bike lane: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/18/san-francisco-bike-lane-hunger-strike/73359978007/

Advocates Punk SFMTA’s Valencia Bike Lane Clusterf*ck: https://sf.streetsblog.org/2023/07/21/advocates-punk-sfmtas-valencia-bike-lane-clusterfck

Why this Toronto restaurateur is giving city hall a big, icy middle finger: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4494974/why-this-toronto-restaurateur-is-giving-city-hall-a-big-icy-middle-finger-1.4494981

Brent Todarian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brent-toderian-b1592b47_want-to-make-money-build-a-business-on-a-activity-7181396470825148418-f_D8

Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business | Parkdale (2016) and Danforth (2014): https://tcat.ca/resources/bike-lanes-on-street-parking-and-business-parkdale-danforth/

Business is Up on Bloor After Bike Lane, New Study Finds: https://tcat.ca/business-is-up-on-bloor-after-bike-lane-new-study-finds/

Measuring the Local Economic Impacts of Replacing On-Street Parking With Bike Lanes: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2019.1638816

Bloor Street West Bike Lane Pilot Project Evaluation: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/8ef6-cycling-bloor-backgroundfile-107582.pdf

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Bike Curious: https://twitch.tv/bikecurious

Not Just Bikes: https://youtube.com/notjustbikes

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