The "Bicycle Access to Buildings Law" passed on July 29, 2009 went into effect Dec. 11, 2009. This law enables workers in building consisting mainly of offices and containing an appropriate freight elevator to request that the building allow bicycles to enter the building.
After the tenant or commuter makes the request, the building manager has 30 days to implement the access or request and exemption. However, individual offices in the buildings do not have to allow bikes, causing some confusion and ire.
Many are applauding this law, feeling that it encourages bike commuting, while cutting down on bike theft. Bike commuting in New York City increased 26% in the last year, according to the NY DOT press release, and their hope is that laws such as this will allow more commuters to take to the bike lanes (which, incidentally, are being cut).
"While commuter cycling continues to grow, this new law unlocks a barrier that has stopped an untold number of bike commutes before they even started. While we launch a new era in bike commuting, we also recognize businesses that are making cycling a commuting and business priority for their employees." said Commissioner Sadik-Khan in the press release.
Cities such as DC are already hoping to emulate this law, showing that bike commuting is growing rapidly and cities are beginning to realize the potential of cycling infrastructure.
Do you think this is a sign of things to come?
Comments
This is really great. I've been riding to work for years now because I'm lucky enough to own a Montague folding bike (www.montaguebikes.com) that I can store under my desk during the workday, but so many of my coworkers avoided riding because of having to lock up their bikes outside. It'll be nice to share the road with more bikes and less cars.
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