Where will this cyclist park his bike when he arrives at his destination?
Today, AIA New York is testifying before the City Planning Commission in support of a proposed zoning amendment that will require secure, indoor bicycle parking in all new residential and commercial buildings. The number of spaces required will be calculated based on a building’s floor area, just as car parking currently is. The proposed regulations are particularly specific about the physical configurations that will allow building users to maneuver and store their bicycles conveniently and safely. This will go a long way towards making bicycling a natural, safe mode of transportation for more New Yorkers, whether for commuting or leisure trips.
Chapter committees have proposed some suggestions for the text, including adding this requirement to new manufacturing uses and substantial commercial renovations; allowing more design flexibility for the placement of storage rooms in commercial buildings; using a graduated scale to calculate the bicycle parking requirements for very large commercial developments; and including waivers for residences for the elderly or special needs housing. For the zoning enthusiasts, our detailed testimony will soon be available on the Chapter News website for downloading soon.
