Comments on: Wednesday: Ask the City Council to Pass the “Bikes in Buildings Bill” http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:08:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56738 Urbanis Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:06:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56738 Re: #1, I'd like to voice my support for requiring parking garages to accept bicycles at 1/20th the rate. It would instantly solve most of my bicycle parking issues in this city. Re: #1, I'd like to voice my support for requiring parking garages to accept bicycles at 1/20th the rate. It would instantly solve most of my bicycle parking issues in this city.

]]> By: Moser http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56693 Moser Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:38:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56693 Regarding the main post above, it would be better not to speak of bike "storage" but of bike "parking." One of the aversions of office building managers is that they will end up with a situation like a residential bike room that has a lot of abandoned bikes in it. We need to talk about parking commuter vehicles, not storing personal property. Regarding the main post above, it would be better not to speak of bike "storage" but of bike "parking." One of the aversions of office building managers is that they will end up with a situation like a residential bike room that has a lot of abandoned bikes in it. We need to talk about parking commuter vehicles, not storing personal property.

]]> By: Tracey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56682 Tracey Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:12:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56682 I wish I can be there but I have to work. Last year I had to write a letter to the building manager and after much grovelling he allowed me to bring my bike to work. They told me many reasons why I couldn't bring it. "Everyone will want to" and "chain it up outside". The company I work for had no problem with the bike in the office but the building did not want me to bring it up on the freight elevator. I hope this gets passed! I wish I can be there but I have to work. Last year I had to write a letter to the building manager and after much grovelling he allowed me to bring my bike to work. They told me many reasons why I couldn't bring it. "Everyone will want to" and "chain it up outside". The company I work for had no problem with the bike in the office but the building did not want me to bring it up on the freight elevator. I hope this gets passed!

]]> By: Emily J. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56681 Emily J. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:09:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56681 Obviously more indoor bike parking would be great - good luck at the rally! We also are facing a crisis with the lack of outdoor parking. For example, in Chinatown late one Saturday during Summer Streets, there were very few street signs that weren't already clogged with bikes (and obviously, bike racks were few and far between), so it took a while to find any place to park. People who bike to the subway already are facing this problem in some neighborhoods - especially where NYPD has posted a not-so-friendly notice that bikes locked to the subway station railing will be removed. As cycling continues to explode in NYC, where will people lock up their bikes while they are shopping, dining, visiting friends, etc.? Obviously more indoor bike parking would be great - good luck at the rally! We also are facing a crisis with the lack of outdoor parking. For example, in Chinatown late one Saturday during Summer Streets, there were very few street signs that weren't already clogged with bikes (and obviously, bike racks were few and far between), so it took a while to find any place to park. People who bike to the subway already are facing this problem in some neighborhoods - especially where NYPD has posted a not-so-friendly notice that bikes locked to the subway station railing will be removed. As cycling continues to explode in NYC, where will people lock up their bikes while they are shopping, dining, visiting friends, etc.?

]]> By: Anon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56672 Anon Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:10:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56672 A simpler proposal and one that should easily gain support is a requirement that bike locking posts be made available on every block. There are so many places that you would expect to be able to lock a bike and there is nowhere to lock up to. For example, outside movie theaters, museums, post offices, hospitals, big box stores, supermarkets, government buildings, courthouses, etc. Personally, I don't feel the need for fancy covered parking and attended lots or fancy sculptural bike lock posts. A simple upside down U on bolted to the sidewalk would be fine. If large building owners and managers would provide a concentration of these lockup U's, then the mass of locked up bikes itself would provide a deterrent to theft because of all the coming and going of bikers. A simpler proposal and one that should easily gain support is a requirement that bike locking posts be made available on every block. There are so many places that you would expect to be able to lock a bike and there is nowhere to lock up to. For example, outside movie theaters, museums, post offices, hospitals, big box stores, supermarkets, government buildings, courthouses, etc. Personally, I don't feel the need for fancy covered parking and attended lots or fancy sculptural bike lock posts. A simple upside down U on bolted to the sidewalk would be fine. If large building owners and managers would provide a concentration of these lockup U's, then the mass of locked up bikes itself would provide a deterrent to theft because of all the coming and going of bikers.

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56670 ddartley Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:51:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56670 I didn't actually suggest taking a day or half-day off work, I suggested taking a weird lunch hour. That's what I've done for past livable streets rallies, and what I would do for this one if I could. (Of course if you are comfortable taking actual time off work for this, cheers to you, do it.) I too would support legislation forcing parking garages to accept bike parking as well. And I'll maybe mention that in the note I'm about to write to my Council Member, reminding him to support this bill. But regardless, I support the hell out of this bill and encourage everyone to attend this rally if they can. Here are a couple reasons this bill would have numerous, broad postive effects on the city: It would encourage workers--that is, people who are "real people" in the eyes of even prejudiced or dumb city denizens, building managers, cops, and politicians, to bike to WORK. We all know that as of now, the tens of thousands who bike every day are not enough to change eliminate the prejudices! More cyclists is the way to do that. More cyclists also make the streets safer. (Although I'd have to defend that point elsewhere, I don't think I need to here.) Sure, there are lots of other things to work on, but please attend this rally! I see requiring buildings to offer indoor bike parking as probably the most important and effective way (through subsequent effects it would set off) to make this city dramatically safer for, friendly to, and respectful of cyclists. I didn't actually suggest taking a day or half-day off work, I suggested taking a weird lunch hour. That's what I've done for past livable streets rallies, and what I would do for this one if I could. (Of course if you are comfortable taking actual time off work for this, cheers to you, do it.)

I too would support legislation forcing parking garages to accept bike parking as well. And I'll maybe mention that in the note I'm about to write to my Council Member, reminding him to support this bill. But regardless, I support the hell out of this bill and encourage everyone to attend this rally if they can.

Here are a couple reasons this bill would have numerous, broad postive effects on the city:

It would encourage workers--that is, people who are "real people" in the eyes of even prejudiced or dumb city denizens, building managers, cops, and politicians, to bike to WORK. We all know that as of now, the tens of thousands who bike every day are not enough to change eliminate the prejudices! More cyclists is the way to do that.

More cyclists also make the streets safer. (Although I'd have to defend that point elsewhere, I don't think I need to here.)

Sure, there are lots of other things to work on, but please attend this rally! I see requiring buildings to offer indoor bike parking as probably the most important and effective way (through subsequent effects it would set off) to make this city dramatically safer for, friendly to, and respectful of cyclists.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56667 Larry Littlefield Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:47:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56667 By the way, 7 am and 5 pm rallies might be better attended, and might get on the local news. I get 20 days off a year, including vacation, sick days, kids' sick days, wait for the repairman days, parent teacher conference days, etc, and they have to be spaced to get my reports in on time each quarter. Asking for a day off to attend a rally like this one is asking a lot. I expect I'm not alone. The time of my arrival at and departure from work, however, is flexible. I expect that is also common. By the way, 7 am and 5 pm rallies might be better attended, and might get on the local news.

I get 20 days off a year, including vacation, sick days, kids' sick days, wait for the repairman days, parent teacher conference days, etc, and they have to be spaced to get my reports in on time each quarter. Asking for a day off to attend a rally like this one is asking a lot. I expect I'm not alone.

The time of my arrival at and departure from work, however, is flexible. I expect that is also common.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56666 Larry Littlefield Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:42:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56666 I third the statement on the parking garages. Requring existing buildings to find a place for bicycles is more problematic, but if there was ever a time, it is now. Buildings are going to have space available. Meanwhile, the mass transit system will decline. I third the statement on the parking garages.

Requring existing buildings to find a place for bicycles is more problematic, but if there was ever a time, it is now. Buildings are going to have space available. Meanwhile, the mass transit system will decline.

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56665 ddartley Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:40:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56665 This is Issue Number One. Please, please attend. More secure parking = hundreds more cyclists = safer pedestrians, safer cyclists, safer motorists. Please attend. Find a way to fit it into your day. Ask your boss for an oddly scheduled lunch hour. Especially since I can't get there tomorrow! Please make up for my absence. And bring a friend or three. If it were any other day, I'd be there. Issue number one. Please attend. This is Issue Number One. Please, please attend.

More secure parking = hundreds more cyclists = safer pedestrians, safer cyclists, safer motorists.

Please attend. Find a way to fit it into your day. Ask your boss for an oddly scheduled lunch hour.

Especially since I can't get there tomorrow! Please make up for my absence. And bring a friend or three. If it were any other day, I'd be there.

Issue number one. Please attend.

]]> By: Jay D http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56664 Jay D Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:37:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56664 I second the idea of legislation that would require parking garages to also provide pay bike parking. I would happily pay a reasonable rate to park my bike securely in a garage. There are many garages throughout the city that could surely set aside a space or two for bike parking. I second the idea of legislation that would require parking garages to also provide pay bike parking. I would happily pay a reasonable rate to park my bike securely in a garage. There are many garages throughout the city that could surely set aside a space or two for bike parking.

]]> By: Car Free Nation http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56663 Car Free Nation Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:31:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56663 What I would like is more enforcement and awareness. There's this general opinion (shared on this blog) that bike theft is inevitable. It doesn't have to be. One suggestion would be for the police to leave loosely locked bikes in areas with known concentrations of bike theft, and to arrest people when the bikes are stolen. If this no-risk activity (stealing bikes) begins to have a known risk (publicized cases of thieves being arrested and charged), the number of crimes of opportunity will go down significantly. As of now, there is no risk. See <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TNTq3nhuh0" rel="nofollow">this video</a> for evidence. What I would like is more enforcement and awareness. There's this general opinion (shared on this blog) that bike theft is inevitable. It doesn't have to be.

One suggestion would be for the police to leave loosely locked bikes in areas with known concentrations of bike theft, and to arrest people when the bikes are stolen. If this no-risk activity (stealing bikes) begins to have a known risk (publicized cases of thieves being arrested and charged), the number of crimes of opportunity will go down significantly.

As of now, there is no risk. See this video for evidence.

]]> By: m-o http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56662 m-o Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:26:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56662 it's not just an aversion by building managers to provide bike storage. it's an aversion by some building management to even ALLOW bikes in buildings! absurd. it's not just an aversion by building managers to provide bike storage. it's an aversion by some building management to even ALLOW bikes in buildings! absurd.

]]> By: rex http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/23/wednesday-ask-the-city-council-to-pass-the-bikes-in-buildings-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-56661 rex Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:20:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4621#comment-56661 I would like to see an amendment to the bill to include private parking garages. Parking garages should be required to provide secure parking in direct proportion to the current bicycle mode share, and the bicycle rate should not exceed the 1/20th the rate for a car space. So if you own a 200 space garage and charge $10/hr/space, and the bicycle mode share is 5%, then you would have to provide 10 bicycle spaces at $0.50/hr. This would be a money maker for most garages since it would be pretty easy to find previously wasted space where you could park a bike or two. Even if you had to devote an entire car space, it is pretty easy to park 20 bikes in a car space. Twice that if you stack or use some of the maneuvering space cars need to enter the space. Personally, I would be glad to pay for a secure space to avoid getting another bike ripped. I would like to see an amendment to the bill to include private parking garages. Parking garages should be required to provide secure parking in direct proportion to the current bicycle mode share, and the bicycle rate should not exceed the 1/20th the rate for a car space.

So if you own a 200 space garage and charge $10/hr/space, and the bicycle mode share is 5%, then you would have to provide 10 bicycle spaces at $0.50/hr. This would be a money maker for most garages since it would be pretty easy to find previously wasted space where you could park a bike or two. Even if you had to devote an entire car space, it is pretty easy to park 20 bikes in a car space. Twice that if you stack or use some of the maneuvering space cars need to enter the space.

Personally, I would be glad to pay for a secure space to avoid getting another bike ripped.

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