Bike Projects Putting Americans Back to Work

Based on cost estimates data of 58 projects from 11 cities across the U.S., research shows that bicycle infrastructure creates more jobs per dollar spent than projects that focus exclusively on road infrastructure.

1 minute read

July 1, 2011, 10:00 AM PDT

By Jeff Jamawat


Using complex input-output (I-O) model, the finding by the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) indicates that bicycle infrastructure projects create approximately 11 jobs per $1 million spending whereas road-only projects create about 8 jobs for the same amount.

Alex Goldschmidt of Smart Growth America gives two possible explanations behind this phenomenon:

"Bicycle and pedestrian projects use fewer physical materials, so a greater proportion of the project budget can be spent on wages and salaries," he says. What's more, the role of supply chain also comes into play as the materials for bike infrastructure projects are usually purchased in-state. This, in turn, creates more local jobs and provides a greater support for the state economy.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in Smart Growth America

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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