If you’ve visited The Mission on Valencia lately, then you may have seen a growing contingent of signs displayed by the local businesses. These say: ‘This bike lane is killing small businesses and our vibrant community.’ For those out of the loop, this is in relation to the bike lanes that were implemented in the area several months ago.

The idea behind this was to create a greener, less congested area which has been applied to most major cities across the US, including San Francisco. Although cyclists may be in favor of these actions, the local business seems dead against them. Often, the argument given is that these lanes disrupt traffic flow and lead to fewer customers visiting said area.

Responding on social media, one user claimed: “As a city cyclist myself, I thought the bike lane was super nice, and I’d love to see more city streets adopt a “pro bicycle” approach.”

Despite these concerns, there is also evidence to suggest that bike lanes can benefit local businesses. For example, a study by the City of Portland found that businesses located near bike lanes were more likely to experience an increase in foot traffic and sales. Additionally, a study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that businesses located near bike lanes were more likely to be perceived as being environmentally friendly, which can be beneficial for their brand reputation.