Cambridge Bike Lane Economic Study Finds No Clear Business Impact

CAMBRIDGE — March 6, 2024 — Cambridge's year-long Cycling Safety Ordinance economic study produced no definitive finding that protected bike lanes hurt or helped local businesses. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee heard Wednesday from Sean Pierce and colleagues at the Volpe National Transportation Center, who found no statistically significant change in employment, commercial real estate values, or occupancy rates in corridors that received separated bike lanes compared to matched control corridors. A voluntary business survey sent to more than 1,600 businesses achieved a 17 percent response rate, with respondents in treatment corridors more likely to report sales decreases — a finding Pierce called suggestive but not conclusive given potential self-selection bias. Vice Mayor Paul McGovern cautioned both sides against claiming victory, noting a persistent gap between customer surveys — showing as few as 13 percent of shoppers cite parking as a priority — and business-owner surveys where up to 80 percent do. City data shows a net loss of 169 on-street parking spaces from Cycling Safety Ordinance installations to date. Assistant City Manager Farouk said amendments to zoning and parking-demand management rules to allow flexible use of nearby off-street lots are roughly a year from completion.