Summer reading: Economic benefits of bicycling

An economic engine.
(Photo © J. Maus)

When you’re trying to save the world, who has time for romance novels and gossip magazines? If you’ve got some spare time over the long weekend or on your summer vacation, consider brushing up on the economic impacts of bicycling.

At Metro’s Quarterly Trails Forum earlier this week, Alta Planning and Design CEO Mia Birk made a presentation about the economic impact of trails.

After the meeting, Metro staff circulated a five-page handout titled, Economic Benefits of Bicycling Resources. The list was compiled by Alta (or at least it was on their letterhead).

With all the talk about the economy and jobs these days, I figured many of you would like to have this information at hand. With that in mind, I’ve shared a partial list of these important studies below. You can download the original PDF here.
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(The list is broken down by subject)

Property Value and Business Impacts

Dr. Kelly Clifton at Portland State University is currently working on a study that looks at if/how cycling customers and cycling infrastructure affect the business bottom line: http://www.pdx.edu/omc/tripgen

Meisel, Drew (2010). Bike Corrals: Local Business Impacts, Benefits and Attitudes. Portland State University School of Urban and Regional Planning. (PDF)

Cortright, Joe. For CEOs for Cities. (2009). Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities (PDF).

The Clean Air Partnership. (2009). Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighborhood (PDF)

Mariah VanZerr (2009). Resident Perceptions of Bicycle Boulevards: A Portland, Oregon Case Study (web)

Duygu Karadeniz (2008). The Impact of the Little Miami Scenic Trail on Single Family Residential Property Values (web)

David P. Racca and Amardeep Dhanju (2006). Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths Adjacent to Residential Areas (PDF)

Campbell, Richard and Wittgens, Margaret. (2004). The Business Case for Active Transportation: The Economic Benefits of Walking and Cycling. (PDF)

Jobs and Industry

Garrett-Peltier, Heidi (2011). Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts (PDF)

Flusche, Darren (2009). The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments. The League of American Bicyclists (PDF)

Alta Planning + Design (2008). The Value of the Bicycle Related Industry in Portland. (PDF)

Alta Planning + Design (2006). Bicycle Related Industry Growth in Portland. (PDF)

Health

Gotschi, Thomas (2011) Costs and Benefits of Bicycling Investments in Portland, Oregon. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. (PDF)

Dill, Neal, Shandas, Luhr, Adkins, and Lund (2010). Demonstrating the Benefits of Green Streets for Active Aging: Final Report to the EPA. Center for Transportation Studies Institute on Aging. Portland State University (PDF)

Miscellaneous

Center for Neighborhood Technology. (2005). Driven to Spend: Pumping Dollars out of Our Households and Communities. (PDF)