Laurier bike lanes bad for business [Ottawa citizen]

Store and restaurant owners hurting as lack of parking keeps customers and diners away

BY HUGH ADAMI, OTTAWA CITIZEN MARCH 4, 2012

Dewan Chowdhury, who owns Buffet Moni Mahal on Laurier between Elgin and Metcalfe, says he's taking in about $15,000 less a month due to parking issues on the street. He suggests the bike lanes should be moved to another street, so customers can park on one side of Laurier.

Photograph by: Chris Mikula, The Ottawa Citizen , Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa City Hall must have figured there was a good chance that segregated bike lanes on Laurier Avenue would hurt businesses along the downtown street.

But when the city is bent on doing something "green," as it was with the bike lanes, turning a blind eye helps push through the agenda quickly. After all, it wouldn't listen to residents on Laurier, who were extremely vocal over the loss of most of the street's parking spots to accommodate the bike lanes.

For months now, businesses - restaurants for the most part - have experienced a huge drop in revenues because the lack of parking has kept customers away.

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