Debunking the Myth: Bike Lanes Are Bad for Business

As the cost of living continues to rise across Metro Vancouver, transportation habits are shifting. Fewer people are driving, and more are choosing to walk, take transit, or bike. Data from TransLink’s trip diary shows that between 2011 and 2017, personal vehicle trips in Metro Vancouver dropped from 59% to 55%. Additionally, census data highlights that biking is the fastest-growing mode of transportation in the region and province. Commuting by bike has increased in most municipalities between 1996 and 2016, demonstrating a long-term trend toward active transportation.

Many business owners assume that most of their customers arrive by car. However, studies in cities like Berlin, Dublin, Toronto, and Bristol reveal that merchants often overestimate car-based customers by up to 100%. This misconception can lead to resistance against bike lanes, under the mistaken belief that reducing car access will negatively impact sales. In reality, a growing number of shoppers are arriving by foot, bike, and transit, and catering to them can be a smart business move.

The Economic Benefits of Bike Lanes

Research consistently shows that bike lanes have either a neutral or positive impact on local business revenue. A review of 23 studies across the US and Canada found that bike lanes did not harm business income, and in many cases, they improved it. In London, UK, data indicates that people who walk or cycle to shops spend 40% more than those who drive. A 2013 study further found that while cyclists may spend less per visit, they visit businesses more frequently, often supporting local stores over big-box retailers or malls.

Bike lanes aren’t just good for cyclists—they’re good for business, especially local business!

Bikes increase foot traffic, encourage local shopping, and contribute to a thriving, walkable community.

To help challenge the misconception that bike lanes are bad for business, HUB Cycling recently teamed up with local bike shop West Point Cycles to create a video debunking this fallacy. Check it out below! The evidence is clear: people on bikes and other forms of active transport spend money and should be treated as valuable contributors to our economy.