People walk to the shops more than twice as often as shopkeepers believe in some Melbourne areas, suggesting traders may be hurting themselves when they campaign for more parking spaces.

While traders associations insist they can't afford to lose any parking spots, an analysis of Melbourne shopping strips has found a greater focus on pedestrian amenities, such as improving walkways and building pedestrian plazas, could increase shopper numbers.

About 30 to 40 per cent of shoppers on main streets in inner and middle suburbs such as Brunswick, Camberwell, Fairfield and Northcote walk - about equal to the proportion of drivers according to the the study by pedestrian advocacy group Victoria Walks, released on Monday.

Councils including Moreland and City of Melbourne have recently implemented policies to remove car parking and upgrade footpaths, while traders on Sydney Road have repeatedly voiced concern at plans to replace parking spots with bike lanes.