This briefing is intended to equip you with arguments that are likely to be persuasive to politicians that might otherwise be uninterested or unsympathetic to pro-cycling policies. It is based on the findings of a report called Move Free written by the think-tank and urban consultancy, Create Streets, published in March 2024. Cycling UK commissioned the report from Create Streets in order to in order to explore how making it easy to get around towns and cities in as many ways as possible has a positive impact on our lives. This briefing provides evidence and arguments on how providing space for walking and cycling can revive our high streets.
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Giving people the freedom to choose how they move boosts local economies: Contrary to common perceptions, reductions in parking spaces, coupled with investments in cycling infrastructure, have been associated with increased customer spending and foot traffic. Evidence suggests that walkable and cyclable high streets outperform car-centric counterparts in terms of commercial viability. Safer and more walkable streets drive commercial success: Studies indicate that pedestrianoriented environments correlate with higher retail revenues. Pedestrianised streets often experience a 10-25% increase in turnover, while projects prioritising pedestrians, cycling, and public transport yield an average retail sales boost of 30%. Pedestrians and cyclists spend more on their high streets: Surveys indicate that people who walk or cycle to local shops tend to spend more per month than those who drive. Creating pedestrian and cyclist-friendly environments can attract more shoppers and boost local economies.
Traditionally, high streets served as vibrant hubs where people congregated to conduct business, socialise, and partake in cultural activities. However, the rise of car-centric urban development and online shopping has posed challenges to our traditional shopping destinations. From the emergence of out-of-town shopping centres to the surge in online retail, high streets are facing declining footfall and increasing vacancy rates. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these trends, prompting shifts in consumer behaviour and remote working arrangements, trends which seem to have persisted post-pandemic. Major city centres experienced a notable decline in footfall, exacerbating the prevalence of vacant retail spaces. However, local centres and high streets exhibited greater resilience, highlighting the potential for revitalisation through a recalibration in how we move around our urban areas.
Version date: May 2024
Tomos Owens
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