@TCATonline 'Difference between infrastructure merchants think visitors want and what they want, substantial'

TCAT just released a study on the impact of bike lanes on Danforth businesses.

A summary of the findings:

• Less than 1 out of 5 visitors drive to the Danforth
• Merchants overestimate the importance of drivers to their business, and underestimate the importance of cyclists
• Those who live or work in the area visit the Danforth more frequently than those who do not: 78% of those who live in the are visit more than five times per month whereas only 23% of those who do not live or work in the area visit more than five times per month
• Those who live or work in the area spend more money than those who do not: 62% of those who live in the are spend over $100 per month whereas only 10% of those who do not live or work in the area spend over $100 per month
• Those who walk to the Danforth are much more likely to spend more money that those who drive or take public transit: 67% of those who walk spend over $100 per month whereas only 14% of those who take public transit and 31% of those who drive spend over $100 per month
• The difference between the infrastructure merchants want for visitors, and what visitors say they want is substantial; merchants favour increased parking, but more parking was their customer’s lowest priority
• Survey respondents who reported spending over $300 or more in a typical month in the neighbourhood preferred street changes that included bike lanes and reduced on street parking
• Overall the majority of people surveyed (71%) preferred to see street use reallocated for widened sidewalks or a bike lane. Support was only slightly higher for those who live in the area (72%) than those who don’t (69%). Looking at preference by mode of transportation, the highest support for change was found amongst people who take public transit to the Danforth (77%), followed by those who walk to the area (72%). Interestingly, even the majority of drivers (59%) would prefer streetscape changes.

From: Toronto Centre for Active Transportation - Thu, Aug 7, 2014
"Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Danforth Avenue in Toronto Danforth Neighbourhood"
http://tcat.ca/node/2383


Via Val Dodge of Ward 29 Bikes


Bells on Danforth is on Sunday, September 14th this year - starting as usual  at East Lynn Park at 12:30pm. Bring the whole family to this marshaled ride on the Danforth to Nathan Phillips Square for "Bikestock" - a fun, entertaining celebration of cycling.
A marshaled, Return Ride to East Lynn Park is available.

Bells on Danforth 2014:

Web - http://bellsondanforth.ca/2014/06/23/bells-on-danforth-2014-sunday-september-14/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BellsOnDanforth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellsondanforth


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