City Council

Never one to pass up a moment in the spotlight, City Council transportation committee chair John Liu delivered some choice theatrics at this morning's hearing on the Bicycle Access Bill (Intro 871). At a committee meeting ostensibly devoted to easing the way for New Yorkers to commute by bike and bring their rides to work, Liu seemed more intent on confronting DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. There was no vote, leaving some to question whether the bill, which enjoys the support of 29 co-sponsors and Mayor Bloomberg, would become law before the City Council's summer recess.

On Monday, the City Council transportation committee will hold its second hearing on the Bicycle Access Bill (Intro 871). There's a lot at stake: For many would-be bike commuters, the lack of a secure place to lock up is what keeps them from riding to work. A law that requires landlords to let bikes inside if a tenant requests access would go a long way toward eliminating that barrier.

The City Council is considering a bill to keep excessively loud motorcycles from stopping, standing or parking on city streets.

Without a secure place to put your bike, riding to work is a lot less appealing. In fact, as multiple studies have shown, fear of theft is the number one factor that keeps New York City cyclists from commuting by bike. So you could say there's a lot riding on the Bicycle Access Bill (Intro 871), which would make it much easier for cyclists to bring their bikes inside the workplace.

Itching to tell DOT what you think of recent changes to Lower Manhattan streets? You can tonight at 6:30, when the second installment in Alan Gerson's "Traffic Town Hall" series gets underway at Old St. Pat's Gym (near 275 Mulberry Street).

Spotted in the Working Families Party candidate questionnaire (hat tip to Liz Benjamin) -- the influential third party is asking 2009 City Council hopefuls to support dedicated lanes and automated enforcement for Bus Rapid Transit:

Yesterday the City Council approved a zoning change that mandates secure bike parking in new construction, putting the rule into effect. The amendment will help cyclists avoid the risks of locking up on-street by requiring new apartment buildings and offices to provide space for people to put their rides. (Check out this table from the Department of City Planning [PDF] for details.)

Tomorrow morning the City Council Zoning Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to require bike parking in new construction (not to be confused with the Bikes in Buildings Bill, which would improve access to existing workplaces). The hearing will be held at 9:30 at 250 Broadway, between Park Place and Murray Street, in the 16th Floor conference room.