Cycling News
City Councilmember Yassky Introduces Bikes in Commercial Buildings Bill

In April, Brooklyn Councilmember David Yassky introduced legislation that would require all commercial buildings to allow their tenants to bring bicycles inside. If enacted, this bill would eliminate would-be cyclists' biggest obstacle, the lack of secure parking. Unlike most other big U.S. cities, bicycles in NYC parked outside are inevitably stolen or vandalized. The bill, Intro 458, was referred to the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee.

In 1999, then Councilmember and now Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrión, introduced similar legislation that mandated that bicycles be allowed in freight elevators. This bill was also referred to the Housing and Buildings Committee but was strongly opposed by the Building Owners and Managers Association and was never reviewed in a committee hearing.

In introducing the new bill, Councilmember Yassky took a welcome first step. To get a hearing and affirmative vote, his bill needs a political push from Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Miller or a large coalition of City Councilmembers.

Write to:
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
City Council Speaker Gifford Miller
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
miller@council.nyc.ny.us 

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