New High Security "Chicago" CityRack Hits the Sidewalks

This summer, the DOT's Cityracks program installed 216 new "Chicago" style bicycle racks. Accolades to the DOT for testing the new racks, which are sturdier, easier to lock to and better looking-especially those sporting an attractive black paint job. The DOT is awaiting NYC Art Commission approval of the new rack design. T.A. urges the Art Commission to approve the new rack.

The DOT has installed over 2,000 CityRacks since 1996 and it intends to install 1,000 "Chicago" racks in 2003 alone. The CityRacks program should install racks at strategic sites, such as the unused space on the sidewalk behind subway station entrances. The Department of City Planning's 1999 Bicycle Survey Report ranked transit stations as the second most requested location for bicycle parking in the city (first was parks). In particular, the 1,2,3,9 line subway stations from 66th to 116th Street are perfect locations to install bike racks; the neighborhoods are conducive to bike-to-transit trips and the sidewalks are wide.

Write to the Art Commission and urge it to approve the DOT's new bike rack.

Deborah Bershad
Executive Director, NYC Art Commission
New York, NY 10007
www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mailartcom.html 

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