The city seems to think so and is in the process of setting up a Bicycle Friendly Business District across Northeast L.A.

The pilot program would encourage businesses to adopt bike-friendly incentives and practices – such as discounts for bike riders and adopting bike-friendly dress codes for employees – to complement new bike racks, corrals and repair stations, according to the Department of Transportation’s Bike Blog. The payoff for businesses, according to the department, is that districts would encourage short trips to neighborhood shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, the program would also “build community, increase physical activity, and make streets less congested while supporting Los Angeles neighborhood businesses.”

The concept, which has already been in place in Long Beach, comes after new bike lanes have been added on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock and York Boulevard in Highland Park . The city is also considering adding bike lanes along Figueroa Street from Highland Park to Cypress Park. The addition of new bike lanes, which have been added by removing vehicle lanes, have not been universally welcome. Some business owners and residents opposed removing traffic lanes and there has been an increase in traffic and speeding on side streets where new bike lanes have been added.

It’s not clear from the posting on Bike Blog when the Northeast L.A. pilot program would begin or if there is a specific geographic area in mind. But the city is teaming up with Occidental College for the Northeast L.A. Bike Friendly Business District, which will serve as a test for a citywide program scheduled to begin next year. Click here for a presentation on the program.