Survey Results
The survey received a total of 1,565 responses, with 126 complete surveys and 1,439 partially complete surveys. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the respondents were Hayward residents, 9.07 percent of the respondents worked in Hayward, and 8.05 percent were business owners in Hayward (responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options). As for the community’s opinion on sidewalk vending overall, 38.66 percent supported sidewalk vending and did not have any concerns, 33.74 percent supported sidewalk vending and had some concerns, 24.53 percent opposed sidewalk vending, 1.6 percent had no opinion on sidewalk vending, and .58 percent of respondents were not comfortable sharing their opinion.
As to familiarity with the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) (“the Act”), 40.70 percent of respondents never heard of the Act, 29.33 percent of respondents heard of the Act but where unfamiliar with it, 26.90 percent of respondents had a general understanding of the Act, and 3.07 percent of respondents had a deep understanding of the Act.
As to the benefits of sidewalk vending, on a scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree, 47.5 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending provides entrepreneurial opportunities, 45.22 percent agreed that sidewalk vending contributes to cultural diversity, 42.27 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending creates more choices for consumers, and 36.1 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending enlivens public spaces. However, only 22.02 percent agreed that sidewalk vending provides access to affordable, healthy food, while 26.19 percent strongly disagree.
As to the concerns with sidewalk vending, 41.87 strongly agreed that sidewalk vending may not comply with health and safety regulations, 40.28 percent strongly agreed that the cleanliness of equipment and areas around the equipment may be a concern (ex. trash, food, waste, and debris left by sidewalk vendors and patrons), 35.21 percent of respondents strongly agreed with the statement that food sold from sidewalk vendors may not be safe to eat (ex. getting sick from foodborne illness), 31.86 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending may make it difficult to access the right-of-way, 30.96 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending may negatively impact residential areas, 27.6 percent of respondents strongly agreed that sidewalk vending could negatively impact public safety, and 23.67 percent strongly agreed that sidewalk vending could negatively impact vendor safety (ex. public response to sidewalk vendor). Of the respondents to the statement whether sidewalk vending may negatively impact brick-and-mortar businesses, 29.28 percent of the respondents strongly disagreed, while 28.12 percent strongly agreed with that statement.
As to where sidewalk vendors have been seen, 70.99 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors near parks, 69.78 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors in residential areas, 63.64 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors near shopping centers, 56.74 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors near gas stations, 55.53 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors by schools, 46.96 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors near religious institutions/places of assembly, 43.51 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors in front of brick-and-mortar businesses, 13.74 percent of respondents have seen sidewalk vendors at other locations, and 1.02 percent of respondents have not seen any sidewalk vendors. Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
As to the type of sidewalk vending seen in Hayward, 93.63 percent of respondents indicated seeing unpackaged/perishable foods (ex. cut fruit, tacos), 55.75 percent of respondents indicated seeing packaged/non-perishable foods (ex. chips, soda), 55.23 percent of respondents indicated seeing unpackaged/non-perishable foods (ex. pre-made churro, coffee), 45.61 percent of respondents indicated seeing merchandise, 43.01 percent of respondents indicated seeing packaged/perishable foods (ex. whole fish, ice cream), 11.76 percent of respondents indicated other and 2.53 of respondents indicated seeing services (ex. massages, haircuts). Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
As to how often sidewalk vendors are seen in Hayward, 60.06 percent of respondents see sidewalk vendors daily, 31.12 percent of respondents see sidewalk vendors at least once a week, 6.52 percent of respondents see sidewalk vendors at least once a month, 1.47 percent of respondents see sidewalk vendors at least once a year, and 0.83 percent of respondents have never seen a sidewalk vendor.
As to the time-of-day sidewalk vendors are seen vending, 87.93 percent of respondents see sidewalk vending from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 74.11 percent of respondents see sidewalk vending from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 37.96 percent of respondents see sidewalk vending from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 25.83 percent of respondents see sidewalk vending from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5.19 percent of respondents see sidewalk vending from 10 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
As for limits on the location of sidewalk vendors, 40.85 percent of respondents would prefer to limit sidewalk vendors in front of brick-and-mortar businesses, 41.32 percent of respondents favored limiting sidewalk vendors in residential areas, and 34.54 percent of respondents would prefer a limitation by schools. However, 46.67 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors near parks, 44.19 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors in industrial areas, 39.47 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors in Downtown Hayward, 30.97 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors near religious institutions/places of assembly, 30.23 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors near gas stations, and 29.74 percent of respondents favored encouraging sidewalk vendors near shopping centers. Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
94.46 percent of the respondents speak English the most, 23.86 percent of the respondents speak Spanish the most, 4.44 percent of the respondents speak Tagalog the most, and 1.91 percent of the respondents speak Mandarin the most. Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
37.07 percent of respondents describe themselves as White/Caucasian, 34.44 percent of respondents describe themselves as Hispanic/Latino, 20.41 percent of respondents describe themselves as Asian, 7.80 percent of respondents describe themselves as Black or African American, 6.87 percent of respondents describe themselves as multiple ethnicity/other, 5.74 percent of respondents describe themselves as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 4.04 percent of respondents describe themselves as American Indian or Alaskan Native or Indigenous. Responses total more than 100 percent because respondents could choose multiple options.
25.33 percent of respondents were 60 or older, 22.86 percent of respondents were between 40-49, 20.33 percent of respondents were 30-39, 16.63 percent of respondents were 50-59, 10.27 percent of respondents were 18-29, 4.38 percent of respondents preferred not to answer, and 0.21 percent of respondents were under 18 years of age.
The online survey also enabled respondents to provide written input and feedback. Common feedback received concerned compliance with health and safety standards, obtaining the necessary permits to operate, maintaining the cleanliness of sidewalks, protecting sidewalk vendors from potential criminal activity, the noise and smoke emanating from sidewalk vending operations, and operating in residential areas.
Attachment III