Here in Michigan, where the automobile is religiously worshiped like an expensive and ever-demanding deity, this concept might seem absurd. Luckily, there are compelling studies for other cities to seriously ponder as we inevitably ignore or dismiss them.
Excerpt:
But here's the thing about the "studies on possible economic impacts" requested by retailers on Polk Street, or really wherever bike-lane plans emerge—they've been done. And done. And done again. And they all reach a similar conclusion: replacing on-street parking with a bike lane has little to no impact on local business, and in some cases might even increase business. While cyclists tend to spend less per shopping trip than drivers, they also tend to make more trips, pumping more total money into the local economy over time.
So to put these debates to rest we've compiled an annotated, chart-filled guide to every major study we know of conducted on the subject to date. Here they are, in no particular order, for your public meeting pleasure.
Read the rest
here... if you dare.
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