The NYC Department of Transportation just released a new report on how NYC’s new transportation practices – including separated bicycle tracks and dedicated bus lanes – are paying off not only with faster commutes, safer streets, but financially: Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets (PDF). Locally-based businesses on 9th Ave from 23rd to 31st Streets increased their retail sales up to 49%, compared to 3% borough-wide. This is in addition to a 58% decrease in injuries to all street users. And on First and Second Avenues in Manhattan there are 47% fewer commercial vacancies (compared to 2% more borough-wide).

“These projects aren’t just about the quality of life and aesthetics,” Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said. “They really set the table for economic development.”

This is exactly what the complete streets view of the city should be: a holistic view in how we can make our shared streets work for all, not just cars.