Knowledge Cyclists and Pedestrians Contribute Significantly to City Centre Spending 10 December 2024 Blogs by experts Expertise Visitors who come to city centres by bike or on foot visit more frequently and spend less per visit compared to those who arrive by car. Over a longer period, however, cyclists and pedestrians contribute significantly more to city centre spending than commonly thought. In short, they represent an underestimated group for the economic vitality of city centres. This is a key finding from a national Dutch study conducted by the Platform for City Centre Management, BRO, and Movares on the relationship between spending and visitors’ choice of transportation. The study, conducted in collaboration with 18 Dutch city centres, took place in September 2023. Currently, in 2024, the study is repeated with 20 other Dutch and Flemish city centres. Standardized Approach The data for this study was primarily collected through street surveys, supplemented by online and social media panel surveys. Visitors were asked about aspects such as origin, spending, transportation mode, and visit frequency at key locations. All centres used a standardized questionnaire and approach, ensuring that results are both representative and comparable. Insights were obtained on each visitor’s number of visits and the relationship between their transportation choice and spending, providing a clearer picture of visitor behaviour. Pedestrians Visit Centres Most Frequently Pedestrians visit city centres more than seven times a month, the highest frequency of all transportation modes. They are followed by cyclists and train travelers (about 25% less frequently than pedestrians) and car and bus visitors (about 45% less frequently than pedestrians). Visit Frequency Relates to the Function of a Centre For example, centres with a strong focus on grocery shopping, such as Middelharnis, Boxtel, or Alphen aan den Rijn, have higher average visit frequencies. Centres with predominantly recreational (shopping) functions, such as Maastricht and Venlo, have lower visit frequencies on average. Longest Visit Duration for Car/Public Transport Combination Visitors who travel using a combination of car and public transport (such as park-and-ride facilities) or by train stay the longest in city centres, averaging over 3 hours. In contrast, pedestrians and cyclists have the shortest stays in the centres surveyed, averaging 1 to 1.5 hours. City centres focused on daily shopping see relatively short visit durations, while larger recreational centres like Maastricht, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Groningen, and Arnhem have longer visitor stays. Car Users Spend the Most Per Visit Per visit, car users spend the most, averaging €130 per visit, significantly higher than pedestrians or cyclists, who spend about €55–€60. Visitors who combine car and public transport spend similarly to car users, though this group is much smaller. Train travelers also spend relatively high amounts per visit (about €100 on average). In centres with a wide range of amenities, visitors spend the most per visit, with most spending going to retail, followed by food and beverage services. Spending on other services, such as cultural and leisure activities, is relatively low. Travel Time Often Determines Transportation Choice, Visit Duration, Spending, and Frequency In most cases, travel time is the primary factor in choosing a mode of transportation. Living close to the centre? Visitors are more likely to walk or bike. The longer the travel time, the more likely people are to drive or take public transportation. There is a positive relationship between travel time and visit duration—longer travel times tend to result in longer stays, which also correlates with higher spending per visit. However, visit frequency is much lower for those who travel from farther away; these visitors tend to be occasional day-trippers. Convenience, Efficiency, Sustainability, and Health Influence Transportation Choice In addition to travel time, factors like convenience and efficiency play a role in choosing a mode of transportation. If people live nearby, walking or biking is an easy choice. Cars are often preferred for trips involving many items, such as weekly groceries. In some cases, there are no reasonable alternatives to driving, particularly if the distance is too great to walk or bike and public transportation options are limited—like in centres such as Roermond and Venlo, which attract many German visitors, or Middelharnis, surrounded by small rural villages. Cyclists often choose biking consciously, citing sustainability and health as additional reasons. Pedestrians and Cyclists Spend More Per Month in City Centres than Car Users When looking at monthly visit frequency, pedestrians and cyclists stand out for spending considerably more in centres than car or public transport users. On a monthly basis, cyclists and pedestrians contribute about 25% more to total spending in centres than car users. They are especially important for centres that attract visitors from the immediate area (residents). Reflection The results of this study are important for shaping visions and policies for city centres. The pressure on public spaces is increasing, which calls for choices, especially in mobility. This research, which intersects economic vitality and mobility in city centres, provides valuable insights for downtown areas. The main report with all results is available for request at www.binnenstadsmanagement.org. Interested in the report or participating in a follow-up study? Contact Platform for City Centre Management or visit our website at www.binnenstadsmanagement.org. Read the original article in Dutch here. Marco Duijnisveld Senior Advisor & Project Manager Mobility marco.duijnisveld@movares.nl +31 (0)6 – 11 01 07 89