It looks like some of the local business community is beginning to open their eyes to the fact that the biking community spends money too. It amazes me that there are still businesses around town that have no bike racks. Just take a look out your window and look at the all of the bikers these days. Bikers do not take up 'precious' parking spaces. But they do need to lock up their bikes. If I'm biking around the city I tend to stop at many more places for the things I need... if there is a bike rack.
To go even further, companies can, and should, offer incentives to get bikers through their doors. Take the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre for example. They have a new program where you can buy a sticker for five bucks that you can adhere to your bike helmet. Customers who bike to the theater wearing a helmet with the sticker get $2 off a movie. How cool is that? The hope is that more businesses pick up on the program called www.bicyclebenefits.org. Think of it... discounts for food, or clothing...
By the way, the reason that I used the above image was to show that there is plenty of space on the exterior of the theater building's south-east side to do some creative marketing. Instead of blank sectional walls (see bottom photo), the theater could put up some current movie posters with neon or some other lighting source. There is a real missed opportunity for marketing there. Maybe a local metal worker could even build some bike racks into the side of the building. On the Main Street side of the building there are some recently installed bike racks for those of you who may be looking into taking advantage of the program. Stickers are available at the concession counter.
Market Arcade Film & Arts Center Buffalo NY 639 Main Street.