It was once a simple journey - a straightaway, a parking space, a few steps to the front door. Reaching your favourite local shop was a matter of mere minutes.
Now, however, the rules of the road have changed. Full-closure detours force you to weave through endless back-alleys, while expanded cycle paths and sidewalk curbs steal precious parking spaces. A front door is no longer easily accessed. It's instead trapped behind extra blocks and extra time - and you find yourself wondering whether the visit is worth the frustration.
Traffic calming leaves consumers reluctant to travel to once-beloved shops - and it can drastically impact the profits of local businesses. With every barricade erected comes the potential for lost sales.
A 2021 survey by Oklahoma's Independent Shopkeepers Association found that 92.3% of stores that experienced nearby street closures reported decreased guest attendance and profits. Among those businesses, 65.3% reported declines greater than 30%, while 34.6% reported declines greater than 50%.
Meanwhile, during a 2026 Route 68 closure in Rochester, Pennsylvania, local businesses reported sharp drops in both customers and sales. Owners experienced losses between 50% to 75%, and some shops did not recover (it was confirmed that at least one company permanently shut its doors during the project, with road restrictions proving too great to overcome).
Traffic calming measures can significantly impact local businesses - with extensive rerouting discouraging customers and the loss of parking leaving few options for those who do try to visit. Profit margins fall, with concrete barricades leaving companies unable to easily maintain strong consumer relations.
Diverted traffic translates into diverted sales.
Sources
2021 State of Retail — Independent Shopkeepers Association
CBS Pittsburgh — Rochester businesses say sales have plummeted during months long road closure
WPXI — Rochester businesses ‘hit hard’ during $7M roadway project
Traffic Calming Effects In East Vancouver
Taking The Long Way Round: How Traffic Calming Impacts Local Businesses
