Abstract:
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted community officials to initiate local enviro. & policy changes to slow the spread of infection & provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation. Changes in both regards could positively or negatively impact walking & bicycling. Using a mixed methods approach, the purpose of this US-based study was to systematically describe municipal response to the pandemic through changes that may have impacted walking & bicycling. (3/x)

Results (in sum)
We identified 353 actions (in 314 municipalities) resulting from the pandemic that may impact walking/bicycling. ~Double the num of actions were identified in large-size municipalities (234 actions in 157 munis ≥165,000 pop) vs mid-size municipalities (119 actions among 157 munis w/ pop 100k-165k). Fewer actions that might suppress walking/bicycling (n=59) were identified vs actions that would likely facilitate walking/bicycling (n=294). In-depth interviews provide context. 4/4

@DrTCombs This response I have seen echoed many times in local groups

"There was like zero interest
in anywhere near a business having some of these things, because all of the businesses saw that they needed to have direct car access right in front of their building."

I find that an uncompelling argument, as there are only every a few spaces in front of any given business and it seems unlikely that turnover is so great that those two or three spots are really driving the majority of sales.

@rowdypixel I agree, though hadn't thought of it in such stark terms. I've thought it to be a poorly thought out argument in the sense that the goal of a restaurant is to turn over tables, not parking spaces. But the idea of taking away parking makes people's brains do really strange things.

@DrTCombs it was also interesting to see that only about half of the municipalities opened up space for dining outdoors. That surprised me as I have seen outdoor dining available in so many places.