Cyclists Make Better Shoppers

[John the Monkey]

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2007/11/cyclists-are-better-shoppers-than.html

A survey carried out among consumers in Bern, Switzerland, established the ratio between the value of purchases made and the parking area used by each customer over a year. The profitability was highest in the case of the cyclists.

€7500 per square metre for cyclists.
€6625 for motorists.

Some other interesting stuff in there too.

 

[LLB]

The downside is that I bought a couple of Pizzas in town on friday evening on my cycle, but was then left with the dilemma of having to either walk them home as I couldn't carry them and cycle safely (they would have ended up cold), or go home and get the car to carry them (mental note to get a rack fitted)

 

[spindrift]

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2007/11/cyclists-are-better-shoppers-than.html



Some other interesting stuff in there too.

What was The Times article about cyclists being higher earners?

 

[John the Monkey]

What was The Times article about cyclists being higher earners?

Don't remember that one Dom, sorry - I have a vague recollection of some Future Publishing research with the average incomes of the Cycling Plus readership cropping up somewhere.

I think the points from the European research referenced above were that;

1) Prioritising foot, public, and cycle transport in the studied areas made them more pleasant, hence more people wanted to shop there (increased sales).
2) As people on cycles, public transport and foot can carry less in one go, they made more frequent trips - whilst their per trip spending was (sometimes) less than that of motorists, over the same period they spent more.
3) The idea that people "needed" their cars to carry lots of purchases home was largely a fallacy (most motorists leaving with less than two bags of shopping, as I recall).

 

[spindrift]

Don't remember that one Dom, sorry - I have a vague recollection of some Future Publishing research with the average incomes of the Cycling Plus readership cropping up somewhere.

I think the points from the European research referenced above were that;

1) Prioritising foot, public, and cycle transport in the studied areas made them more pleasant, hence more people wanted to shop there (increased sales).
2) As people on cycles, public transport and foot can carry less in one go, they made more frequent trips - whilst their per trip spending was (sometimes) less than that of motorists, over the same period they spent more.
3) The idea that people "needed" their cars to carry lots of purchases home was largely a fallacy (most motorists leaving with less than two bags of shopping, as I recall).

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2500754.ece

 

[John the Monkey]

Why didn't you just eat them?

LLB shows up at the party.

Everyone: Where are the pizzas?
LLB: Well, Uncle Mort said...

 

[LLB]

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2007/11/cyclists-are-better-shoppers-than.html



Some other interesting stuff in there too.

I think the question has to be asked, what is the ratio between the two, and how many occupants on average turn up in the cars.

I think it is skewing the results a bit

Also if my two pizzas are anything to go by, I'd have only bought a subway if I'd have not had access to the car.

 

[snorri]

Also if my two pizzas are anything to go by, I'd have only bought a subway if I'd have not had access to the car.

Typical attitude of the unimaginative petrolhead.

 

[John the Monkey]

Typical attitude of the unimaginative petrolhead.

Come now, no need for that.

I think pizza via bike is doable, but I'd have to be on my shops bike (the one with the rack).

Subway would be easy though - you could whack two or three in each jersey pocket

 

[LLB]

Typical attitude of the unimaginative petrolhead.

Arrogant attitude there

They supplied no bags to carry them flat off handlebars, and I didn't have anything suitable on me to carry them in.

It was collection only, and a good 20 minute walk = cold food

I don't have rack on my bike

You can't stack fresh pizza's on their sides so they couldn't go into my rucksack

I await your considered input for a solution Snorri ?

 

[snorri]

I await your considered input for a solution Snorri ?

There are numerous solutions as you well know. You have been trying to justify the "need" of car ownership and usage for years now, but your arguments become no more convincing.

 

[LLB]

There are numerous solutions as you well know. You have been trying to justify the "need" of car ownership and usage for years now, but your arguments become no less convincing.

Any chance of a list of them for my particular predicament given the circumstances I described ?

It would have saved me another 2 journeys - I am genuinely interested to know (the carrier is an obvious one, but I don't have one on my hybrid), and you don't see many roadies with them either - come to think of it, I rarely see many with mudguards let alone anything else.

 

[snorri]

Any chance of a list of them for my particular predicament given the circumstances I described ?

Have a go yourself, and I will tell you if you are on the right track.

 

[LLB]

Have a go yourself, and I will tell you if you are on the right track.

No, I gave up and that is why I got the car to carry them home in.

I need your advice to resolve this - I don't have a rack to tie them to remember.

Come on Snorri, indulge me

 

[TheDoctor]

Could you fit a rack?
Not a facetious question, I don't know if your bike will take one or not.
Maybe get the pizza delivered?

Have you got any left? I'm a bit peckish...