Bicycle Parking

Wednesday: Ask the City Council to Pass the “Bikes in Buildings Bill”

Tomorrow morning, Transportation Alternatives will hold a City Hall rally in support of the "Bikes in Buildings Bill." The bill, introduced in 2006 by Council Member David Yassky, would require owners or managers of "any building" to make "reasonable provisions" for bike access. The bill is intended to supplement a still-pending Department of City Planning rule that would require bike parking facilities in new commercial buildings.

By Brad Aaron

10:55 AM EDT on September 23, 2008

Tomorrow morning, Transportation Alternatives will hold a City Hall rally in support of the “Bikes in Buildings Bill.” The bill, introduced in 2006 by Council Member David Yassky, would require owners or managers of “any building” to make “reasonable provisions” for bike access. The bill is intended to supplement a still-pending Department of City Planning rule that would require bike parking facilities in new commercial buildings.

A summary of the bill [PDF] notes that, “According to the Department of City Planning, the number one barrier cited by potential bicycle commuters is the lack of safe, secure places to store their bike.” It’s a barrier kept in place not only by outdated codes, but also an inexplicable aversion some building managers have to indoor bike storage.

As the Bikes in Buildings Bill is consistent with the city’s stated goal of fostering more bike commuting and reducing air pollutants, and given the flexibility offered by the bill’s language, shouldn’t this be an easy one?

Tomorrow’s rally will take place on the steps of City Hall at 10:45 a.m. Attendees are invited to RSVP to Peter Goldwasser.

Photo: Draconum/Flickr

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Bicycle Parking | Bicycling | City Council | David Yassky | Transportation Alternatives

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