Laws Proposed by Lower Manhattan Council Member Seek to Facilitate Different Spokes
City Council member Christopher Marte is sponsoring two bills that, if enacted, would make Lower Manhattan (and the City as a whole) considerably more accommodating for bicyclists. The “Park Your Bike” bill would compel the City’s Parks Department to build sheltered bicycle parking stations in all parks with an area of 2.5 acres or greater. These structures would be available free of charge, and would offer the added benefit of shielding bikes from the elements. (A similar program in London, called “Cycle Hangers,” is credited with having decreased bike thefts.)
The second bill would require that City-owned buildings of at least 10,000 square feet make available bike storage space for staff and visitors. This measure would aim to offer 400,000-plus City employees (along with tens of thousands of City residents and business owners who visit municipal offices each week) a more convenient, more secure alternative to parking their bicycles outside during business hours.
Mr Marte says, “during the pandemic, we saw bike ownership soar. But riders are left with few options for where to keep their bikes safely. These two bills will enhance safety and convenience for New Yorkers who are already biking to parks or to work in the public sector, and will encourage more people to make a climate-friendly choice, all while reducing congestion.”
Explaining the needs for these proposed laws, he cites data from cycling advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, indicating that “there are 1.5 parking spaces for every car registered in New York City, but only one bicycle parking space for every 116 bikes.”