One Step Closer to Building Access for Bicycles

After a steady stream of postcards and letters from T.A. members, Speaker Vallone has recommended that Councilman Spigner, Chairman of the Housing and Buildings committee, hold a hearing for the Building Access Legislation, Int. No. 584. The date for the hearing has not been set but it will probably be in January or February, 2000. The cycling community of NYC must continue its vigorous support of this critical legislation.

The bill, requiring commercial buildings with a freight elevator to allow people with bikes access to that elevator, was introduced in July by Councilman Carrion. This access would allow more New Yorkers to park their bikes securely in their workplace. The bill meets a need in a city where, according to the Department of City Planning's 1999 survey, the lack of secure parking tops the list of reasons most cyclists do not ride to work.

To make this happen, we need you:

• If you are in the City Council Districts of Spigner (Chair) (District 27), Michels (District 7), Malave-Dilan (District 37), Nelson (District 48), Marshall (District 21), Warden (District 12), Boyland (District 41), Provenzano (District 13), or Ognibene (District 30), write/call/fax them as a constituent and urge them to support Int. No. 584 (see the NYPIRG Councilfinder at www.cmap.nypirg.org or call the T.A. office for the name of your councilmember).
• Go to the T.A. web site, www.transalt.org, or call the office at 212-629-8080 to get your name on the action list so you will be alerted to the date of the hearing. A sample letter is also available on the T.A. web site.
• If you work in an office building in Midtown with bike access, please call the office with the address.
• Write/call/fax Councilman Archi Spigner,
  chair of the Housing & Buildings Committee:
  113-43 Farmers Boulevard
  St. Albans, NY 11412
  Phone: 718-776-3700
  Fax: 718-776-3798
• Write/call/fax to Speaker Vallone to thank him for requesting a hearing and ask him to continue his support:
  22-45 31st St.
  Astoria, NY 11105
  Phone: 718-274-4500
  Fax: 718-726-0357
• Stay tuned for the hearing date via www.transalt.org or subscribe to the askTA listserve - send a request to info@transalt.org.

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