A new study by UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs has found that the city's popular CicLAvia open streets event has been a boon to local businesses: boosting sales 10% for businesses along the route and 57% for those participating.
"Approximately 150,000 people on foot, bikes and skates experienced iconic Wilshire Boulevard as part of the CicLAvia event on June 23, 2013. Researchers at UCLA Luskin’s Complete Streets Initiative and the Luskin Center for Innovation surveyed a representative sample of brick-and-mortar businesses along the route, comparing sales revenue and foot traffic on CicLAvia Sunday and a Sunday earlier that month."
What they found was that businesses located along the route experienced a 10 percent increase in sales on the day of the event. And for businesses that "engaged with CicLAvia participants such as with a vending table or music," sales increased an average of 57 percent.
“CicLAvia has always been about connecting people to the community in a way that isn’t possible by car. Among the most important connections we can foster is the one between participants and the businesses along the route.,” said CicLAvia Executive Director Aaron Paley. “We are pleased to see the Luskin Center study indicates that these businesses receive a notable increase in revenue on CicLAvia day.”
Based on these findings, local businesses may be happy to learn that CicLAvia recently received a $500,000 grant from the Wasserman Foundation to hold more events over the next two years.
"The next CicLAvia, 'Heart of LA,' will take place Oct. 6."
FULL STORY: CicLAvia Associated with Increased Sales to Local Businesses

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont