Private Sector Taps Into Demand for Bike Parking

Here's another promising development for New Yorkers in need of convenient bike parking. We received a tip that PrimoSpot.com has expanded its parking search capabilities to include bike racks. The site now has pictures and locations of racks in Manhattan (below 179th Street), western Brooklyn, western Queens and Hoboken. Just choose your search area on the PrimoSpot map and click the red bike icon. There's also an iPhone app to help find racks while you're on the road -- a feature not yet offered on the DOT CityRacks Google map.

"Of course, the site is mostly dedicated to helping motorists find cheap parking," writes our tipster, "but it's cool that they include bikes."

We'd be interested in hearing from readers on how useful the PrimoSpot locator is, and how it compares with the official city map. 

In related news, Manhattan Mini Storage is touting its services to cyclists looking for secure indoor space. Not sure how useful this would be to the regular commuter who doesn't live within a block or two of one of the company's facilities, but if nothing else it's an interesting recognition of cyclists as a market waiting to be served.