Building the cycling economy beyond the urban core

Cycling for transportation increases local economic benefits by: improving the local business environment; reducing commercial vacancies; and increasing sales and employment opportunities (Stabinski, 2009; Walljasper, 2012; Racca and Dhanju, 2006; New York City DOT, 2013). This project will study how targeted interventions to increase cycling for transportation in Scarborough can advance cycling participation, job creation, social inclusion and environmental quality. Increased cycling participation is seen as critical to addressing economically debilitating congestion in Toronto costing in excess of $6 billion annually (Metrolinx and HDR, 2008) but there is substantial variation in the city and current cycling research largely ignores outer urban areas (City of Toronto, 2013; Metrolinx, 2012; Toronto Board of Trade, 2010). Our project aims to increase both cycling participation in Scarborough and the economic activity related to cyclists substantial local spending habits (New York City DOT, 2013; Stabinski, 2009; Clifton et al, 2013). With 30% of Torontos landmass, 24% of its residents and half-a-million cyclable trips per day, Scarborough has only one bicycle sales and service facility (Ride the City, 2015). Opportunities to establish cycling-related commerce expand dramatically as cycling participation

Faculty Supervisor:

Beth Savan

Student:

Trudy Ledsham

Partner:

Clean Air Partnership

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Toronto