September 25, 2010 (Vancouver, BC) – Local business owners have started a petition in favour of the proposed separated bike lane on Hornby Street. “We wanted to show that there are many businesses in Vancouver who support the proposal,” said Rob Baxter who initiated the petition, and is a Vancouver business owner himself. “We don’t want Vancouver to fall even further behind other cities that are investing more in cycling infrastructure.”

One of the petition signers, Ken Simpson said, “I own a software company downtown and I strongly support separated bike lanes as a way of encouraging people to get out of their cars and ride bikes downtown – reducing congestion and leading to an improve quality of life for everyone.”

A recent study in Norway found the urban cycling infrastructure is the most cost effective policy to address climate change, and in Australia, a cost analysis showed for every $1 spent on cycleways, the benefit to the economy is approximately $4, compared with an average of $2 for motorways.

The petition organizers also point to cities world wide that have many more separated cycling routes and thriving businesses along those routes. This petition highlights the strong business support for cycling as evidenced by events like Bike to Work Week.

The petition is available on line at here.

Below are selected comments from a petition by business owners who support expanding bike lanes in Vancouver including the proposed Hornby separated lane.

“Cyclists make for friendly and frequent customers. Bike lanes also make for safer streets and add street life in front of businesses.”

– Boyd Thomson, The Wilder Snail Neighbourhood Grocery & Cafe


“Along with several coworkers at MetroQuest, I bike everyday and make full use of the city’s bike routes. The expanded bike lanes into downtown are critical for so many reasons. In many ways they are inevitable given our growing awareness of the necessity of providing attractive alternatives to the automobile. Besides, it’s increasingly a critical part of our identity, Vancouver. Let’s celebrate it!!!!”

– Dave Biggs, MetroQuest


“There are almost too many reasons to support separated bike lanes downtown to mention, but I’ll try: Improved health and safety, more spending power, quieter streets, less pollution, less greenhouse gasses, more cyclists = more safety for cyclists, cheap way for the city to increase road capacity, better environment for pedestrians, more money stays local (car and gas purchases leave our economy). The car is a dying mode for urban transportation. As fewer people drive into downtown it is in our best interest to re-allocate space more wisely.”

– Ron van der Eerden, Pacific Image Home Designs Ltd.


“Happy, healthy staff is good for business”

– Annalea Krebs, ethicalDeal


“I live and work in East Vancouver. Cycling is my preferred mode of transportation. The City of Vancouver needs to continue to develop an infrastructure that is safe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Designated bike lanes are a critical part of a safe transportation system.”

– Kevin Wharton, Designers at Large design consultants


“The separated bike lanes are great for the city and for getting folks out and connecting with local business.”

– Denise Taschereau, Fairware Promotional Products


“Our business is a creative services firm in Gastown, and all of our staff take alternative transportation to work – most of us on bikes. More bike lanes downtown mean more people will ride, it’s that simple. Many businesses are fearing change, but I believe – just like with the smoking ban – making good changes like this will eventually bring even more customers out into the streets.”

– Jason Mogus, Communicopia Internet Inc.


“Socialtext is a business that has a number of employees in Vancouver. They bicycle commute to a co-working space. Good infrastructure for bike commuting is sensible policy for businesses that want healthy and productive employees, in addition benefiting the environment for everyone.”

– Adina Levin, Socialtext


“I own a software company downtown and am proud to say that 100% of my employees ride, walk, and take transit to the office. I strongly support separated bike lanes as a way of encouraging people to get out of their cars and ride bikes downtown – reducing congestion and leading to an improved quality of life for everyone.”

– Ken Simpson, MailChannels


“people who drive into town know that it sucks finding parking and so they shop outside of downtown. transit users and cyclists can easily stop and take advantage of shops and services in town. proof is during the transit strike years ago when shop owners cried over plummeting sales even though more people drove to town than ever. motorists shop elsewhere because they can more easily drive to malls and big box retailers. wake up DVBIA. welcome cyclists and bike facilities and think longer term. we cannot keep encouraging people to drive at the expense of healthy active transportation.”

– Paul Bogaert, Bike Doctor Bicycle Shop


Lliveable cities are cities that draw tourism, citizenship, and investment. Bike lanes make cities more liveable and have been proven to be change required to increase bike commuting significantly.”

– Vanessa LeBourdais, DreamRider Theatre