Business operators along Hornby and Dunsmuir streets who responded to a city-commissioned study on the downtown separated bike lanes believe they sustained a combined sales loss of $2.4 million because of the lanes.
But the study, which aimed to examine the impact on businesses along the bike lane routes, wasnt able to conclusively connect the loss in sales solely to the lanes.
The Dunsmuir separated bike lane opened in June 2010 and the Hornby lane opened in December 2010. Both lanes are considered temporary and part of a trial.
Overall, the partners in the study were disappointed by the survey response rates and by the limited number of businesses willing to provide hard data to the consulting team on loss of sales or impacts, which affected the strength of the analysis, said a city report released Thursday that summarized the findings of the recent study.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Economic Development Commission oversaw the study which involved the city, business associations and consultants. The study, which was ordered by city council, was conducted between May and July.
Of 225 street-level businesses surveyed along the routes and neighbouring streets, 73 responded. Of 15 businesses claiming greater impactsbecause of the lanes, four responded. And 34 commercial property owners or managers participated out of a possible 114.
If the estimated loss of $2.4 million is accurate, the studys authors described the downturn as moderate and that loss is expected to decrease over time.
This is relatively moderate based on industry standards and, in general, insufficient to create persistent vacancies, the study said. The downtown is and will remain vibrant and the moderate negative impact of the lanes will diminish over time as mitigation strategies take effect.
So-called hot spots where solutions are being applied to help businesses were identified in the 400, 500, 600 and 1000-blocks of Hornby Street and the 600-block of Dunsmuir.
The studys recommendations to address specific problemssome of which have already been implementedinclude encouraging cyclists to use businesses on bike lane routes, altering vehicle parking hours and restrictions, strategic placement of bike parking, removal or modification of bike traffic lights, better signs and establishing a downtown business transportation advisory committee.
Another city report on the lanes, also released Thursday, said cycling use of the separated lanes continues to grow. The number of bike trips on Dunsmuir Street reached 55,000 per month in June and is expected to be higher in July and August. Bike trips along Hornby peaked at 45,000 in June, according to city data.
The city report pointed out vehicle collisions reported to the Insurance Corporation of B.C. have decreased by 18 per cent since the Dunsmuir lane opened in June 2010.
However, there is insufficient collision data to assess this element of overall cycling safety related to the separated bike lanes, the report said.
The report said vehicle traffic times and traffic volumes on these streets appear largely unaffected but acknowledged turn restrictions and loss of on-street parking has inconvenienced some drivers.
Given these findings, it is the opinion of staff that the separated bicycle lanes should remain in place at least until more complete data is available regarding safety, and that staff report back at that time, the report added.
Mayor Gregor Robertson, whose ruling Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»council has championed the lanes, issued a statement Thursday on the studys findings.
The City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»takes the concerns of businesses very seriously and is committed to verifying and mitigating impacts of the separated bike lanes, especially impacts that weigh heavier on smaller businesses, the mayor said. We will continue to work directly with businesses on appropriate solutions and make case-by-case accommodations where possible.
The reports, business impact study, cycling stats and polls can be viewed on the citys website at Vancouver.ca
Twitter: @Howellings
