East Side"Bikes in Buildings" Law Goes into Effect
image: NYCDOT
Though today’s weather conditions may not make for a perfect bike ride (the wind chill could possibly dip the temperature below 20 degrees!), its still a great day to be a bicycle advocate in New York City.
Local Law 52, officially dubbed the “Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law” goes into effect today enabling the growing commuter cyclists community across NYC to safely (and legally) park their bikes next to the water cooler. Well maybe not next to the water cooler…not yet at least. That’s because the law was written to put the motivation on the cyclist to first ensure that bikes can be “allowed.”
The Brooklyn Paper has a great article out today detailing exactly what people need to first do in order to start bringing their bikes on in from the cold.
Here are the basics:
1. Formally ask your employer if you can bring your bicycle into your workplace.
2. Get your employer’s consent. And get it in writing! If your employer says no, unfortunately the law is not yet strong enough to compel him to allow bikes in the building. Make sure you have a good lock-up situation (I’d suggest 2 different types of locks, maybe one being a cable)!
3. If your employer does wants to be bike-friendly, he or she must then download a form on the Department of Transportation’s Web site to request that the building owner complete a “Bicycle Access Plan.” Make sure to send the request by certified mail, return receipt requested.
4. Within 30 days, the building management must implement the “Bicycle Access Plan” laying out a defined route to the freight elevator. And don’t worry, the City’s got a form for that too…
Now for the exceptions….What law doesn’t have exceptions?!
1. The most important being that buildings without freight elevators are automatically excluded from law.
2. Also, freight elevators need only be operating during regular business hours (head’s up burners of the mid-night oil).
3. Your building owner also doesn’t need to allow access if he or she provides “covered, sufficient, secure, off-street no-cost … bicycle parking on the premises or within three blocks or 750 feet, whichever is less.”
4. Another exemption allows buildings to prohibit bicycle access if the freight elevator itself has some “substantial safety risks directly related to its use for bicycle access.”
Also be sure to check out Transportation Alternatives’ great manual (PDF) to help you get through the process.
Be informed, know your rights, and safe riding!
