Larry Silverstein: Most Buildings Can Comply With Bikes in Buildings Law

Photo of 7 World Trade: G. Paul Burnett/New York Times.

With the Bikes in Buildings Law taking effect in less than 24 hours, this story in the Times is a must-read. Here on Streetsblog, we’ve mostly covered the more intransigent elements within the real estate industry — the folks clinging to an antiquated cultural aversion to bicycles. But plenty of property owners are coming around, including World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein.

Susan Stellin reports:

“From my vantage point, it’s a huge positive,” said Larry A. Silverstein, president and chief executive of Silverstein Properties. That vantage point is an office on the 38th floor of 7 World Trade Center with sweeping views overlooking ground zero.

Although no bike was leaning against his desk that day, Mr. Silverstein said he supported the new law and thought most buildings with freight elevators could comply and that tenants could handle the parking once bikes rolled through their doors.

“If you really want to do this, you find the space,” he said. “There’s always space where you can put a bicycle.”