On December 11, the new Bicycle Access to Buildings Law, Local Law 52, takes effect. It requires commercial buildings to allow tenants to bring their bicycles into offices using the freight elevator. The law, which passed City Council in a 46-1 vote, is the first of its kind in the country, and will lift one of the biggest barriers to bike commuting.

Transportation Alternatives was instrumental in shepherding the legislation through City Council over the past ten years, and has assembled resources for employees, employers and building managers on bicycle access. A 20-page guide to bicycle access is downloadable from the T.A. website, as well as listings of local architecture and design firms that have expertise in bicycle access plans and indoor bicycle parking.

All resources are available at http://www.transalt.org/campaigns/bike/parking/indoor

"In 24 hours, the doors of many New York City office buildings will open to bike commuters for the first time," says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "With the same ingenuity and flexibility that makes this city work, building owners can help usher in a new wave of green, healthy commutes."

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