In Memphis, TN, bicycle lanes are part
of the city’s Broad Avenue Arts District
initiative, which has revitalized a
struggling commercial and residential
area. The revitalization of Broad Avenue
began with a focus on attracting arts‐
related businesses. However, according
to local business leaders, the popularity
of the project exploded when the focus
was expanded to include bicycles. The
bike lanes include “temporary” bike
lanes, painted by volunteers and kept by
the city, and plans for the Overton Broad
Connector cycle‐track. Local leaders
now talk about the ABCs of becoming an
urban magnet: Art + Bikes +
Community.
Business owners on Broad Avenue see
the connection between bike lanes and
business growth. “The lanes slowed
down traffic and people started noticing
the businesses more,” said Pat Brown,
co‐owner of T Clifton Gallery on Broad
Avenue. “Our business revenues have grown on average 30 percent per year – yes, an
art‐related business in a tough economy.”
"It was probably one of the best things to
happen for my business," Katelynn Meadows, owner of Sweetly, told the Commercial
Appeal about the new bike lanes in front of her children’s clothing store.
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Since the beginning of the project, the district has seen 16 new businesses, 29
property renovations (17 at blighted locations), and 40,000 visitors to the Arts Walk.
Restaurants have reported a growth in business from bicycle riders. The Memphis
Food Truckers Association recently began weekly Food Truck Rodeos on Broad
Avenue.