Do open streets initiatives impact local businesses? The case of Sunday Streets in San Francisco, California

Abstract

Abstract Background Ciclovias, known in the U.S. as open streets initiatives, close streets to vehicles to increase open space and physical activity opportunities for local communities. In San Francisco, California, the open streets initiative known as Sunday Streets, was founded in 2008 to promote bicycle use in neighborhoods most underserved for recreational resources and experiencing higher than average burden of chronic diseases. In addition to health impacts, open streets initiatives create an opportunity for greater business activity along the routes. This relatively less explored outcome is the focus of this paper. Methods Impacts on businesses along Sunday Streets routes were estimated from survey data collected on the types of businesses, revenue, customer activity, level of engagement with the initiative as well as employment. Results Overall there was a modest increase in business activity along Sunday Streets routes with increases in revenue, customer activity and sales as well as employment, demonstrating an unintended outcome for a program originally intended for improving health behaviors. Conclusions Sunday Streets increased business activity along its routes. Engaged businesses perceived greater benefits. Merchant engagement with open streets initiatives offers additional community benefits.