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 It's a barrier kept in place not only by outdated codes, but also an inexplicable aversion some building managers have to indoor bike storage.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
