LA City Bike Lane Infrastructure and its Effects on Business Closures From 2016-2021

TL;DR

This study examines how bike lane infrastructure in Los Angeles from 2016 to 2021 impacted local business closures, finding positive effects and minimal influence from COVID-19 disruptions.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence that bike lanes are associated with economic benefits for local businesses, independent of pandemic-related effects.

Findings

Businesses along bike lanes experienced fewer closures.

Bike lane presence correlates with positive economic outcomes.

COVID-19 impact was not significantly related to business closures.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the presence of bike lanes within the city of Los Angeles and how their presence could offer positive economic benefits to businesses. City wide shutdowns initiated in March of 2020 acted as a demand shock to local businesses. Over the next two years, businesses struggled to keep the doors open. We explored the possibility of bicycle infrastructure playing a role in supporting/insulating local businesses from closure and positive economic impacts. Our analysis shows that the businesses along bike lane in Los Angeles runs positively, and that COVID-19 is not related to, significantly.