Follow on Google News News By Tag Industry News News By Location Country(s) Industry News
Follow on Google News | Green lanes “game-changing” for many businesses and communitiesMajor new green lane in Austin, Texas leads to reflections from bike retailers
By: Bikes Belong The City of Austin Bicycle Program (http://www.austintexas.gov/ According to Hill Abell, owner of Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin, the new green lane is a long-needed improvement to the bicycling network in Austin. “This area was already heavily traveled by cyclists, as it’s in the center of the city and connects Zilker Park to downtown; but it was a tight and congested roadway for everyone traveling it,” he said. “Now, its smooth sailing and seeing greatly increased use by cyclists, and the driving public is not slowed by the increased number of riders using the corridor." Green lanes create a protected space to ride on the road, making bicycling more appealing to the 60% of people who say they are interested in bicycling but are concerned about their safety. As bicycling becomes safer, more appealing, and more convenient for a broader population through these advanced facilities, local bicycle retailers are also feeling the impact. A sample of bicycle retailers in the Green Lane Project focus cities (Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco, and Washington D.C.) were recently surveyed about the effect of protected bike lanes on business and their community. Ninety-two percent of the shops said the green lanes were having a positive impact on bicycling in their city, and that sales were up or steady at their stores. Half of those retailers attributed the increase in sales in part to new green lanes in their communities. “Protected bike lanes have been game-changing in our community; they absolutely appear to be getting more people on bikes,” said Denise D’Amour, owner of Capitol Hill Bikes in GLP focus city, Washington D.C. “People comment that they feel safer getting around by bike. New customers try commuting using the bike share and graduate to their own bikes after experiencing cycling through the city. Sales are up due, in part, due to the protected lanes.” For more information about the progress toward protected bike lanes in the Green Lane Project focus cities, visit the http://www.greenlaneproject.org/ End
Account Email Address Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse
|
|