A new version of the Bicycle Access Bill has been placed on legislators' desks at City Hall, indicating that votes in the Transportation Committee and the full City Council are likely later this month, according to multiple sources tracking the bill's progress.
The revised bill, which would require building managers to provide bicycle access to tenants who request it, divvies up responsibility for enforcement between DOT and the Department of Buildings differently than previous versions, Streetsblog has learned. Core provisions intended to expand bicycle access to buildings remain unchanged.
The bill, now supported by 35 co-sponsors, would come up for a vote at the council's next stated meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.
The last time we checked in on the Bicycle Access Bill, it was still sitting in John Liu's Transportation Committee after other legislators, including sponsor David Yassky and 31 additional supporters in the City Council, had expected it to reach the full floor for a vote. Then came an outpouring of e-faxes from cyclists asking Liu to get behind the bill.
Today, a number of people have forwarded us an invitation from Liu's office to hear him explain his position this Friday. Read it after the jump.
Dear Fellow Cyclist:
Thank you for reaching out to me about your support for legislation in support of expanding bicycle access to buildings in our City. This is an issue I have fought for over the last couple of years and my position on it has been clear and consistent, notwithstanding recent efforts by some folks to misrepresent my actions and statements on this.
I wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to meet with me so I can give you the latest update on bike access legislation. Can you meet me at City Hall this Friday July 24 from 4:30-5:30pm? (to try to accommodate those who have regular work-hours). No need to RSVP (but you can if you’d like) and feel free to pass this along to others who may be interested.
John LiuMember, City CouncilChairperson, Transportation Committee
We're hearing that Liu is now prepared to support the bill. An aide at his office said he would explain all at the Friday meeting.
