Bikes in Buildings: City Council Passes 871A

On Tuesday the Bicycle Access Bill was passed by the City Council Transportation committee despite delays that held up the bill for over a month. The bill, also known as 871A, was introduced by Councilmember David Yassky. Originally introduced in 2006, the bill requires commercial building owners and managers to allow for employees of building tenants to enter with their bicycles.

“In a city in which one in eight kids has asthma, this bill is a long overdue step towards reducing carbon emissions, improving public health, and building a sustainable transportation infrastructure,” said Yassky. “I look forward to the Council passing this bill tomorrow so that we can begin the implementation of this important piece of progressive legislation.”

“Every day, biking becomes a more established part of our transportation network and this legislation literally opens the door to making cycling an even more attractive and serious transportation option,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “Improved access is also a tremendous boon for businesses who want to encourage cycling among their employees, and it’s a catalyst for engineering a greener, greater New York City.”

“Nearly 70% of New York City adults don’t get enough physical activity,” said Andy Goodman, Deputy Commissioner for the Health Department. “The best way to increase physical activity is to incorporate it into routine activities. By making it easier to bike to and store your bike at work, we can help every New Yorker live a healthier life.”

“More people will use their bicycles to go to and from work and to shop if they can safely store it,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “This legislation is a very exciting step towards ‘greening’ our City in a sustainable way. Congratulations to Council Member Yassky.”

“Bike access to buildings has been years in the making,” says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “There are few actions that will give as big a boost to bike commuting as opening the doors of workplaces to cyclists. We congratulate all the members of City Council and the Administration who have made this possible.”

Although Councilmember John Liu, who chairs the Trasnportation Committee, initially co-sponsored the bill intentionally delayed its passage when it was re-introduced in the beginning of June due to substantive objections. However, after Liu added two specific modifications to the bill including a clause giving the city the ability to deny buildings seeking exemptions and transferring the responsibility of building inspections from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Buildingsit sailed through the committee, the legislation sailed through the City Council.

Supporters of the bill include Transportation Alternatives, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Straphangers Campaign, Environmental Defense Fund, New York League of Conservation Voters, Local Development Corporation of the West Bronx, New York Public Interest Research Group, Jonathan Rose Companies, LLC, Two Trees Management Company.

The bill will not require building owners or managers to create bicycle storage; employees will keep their bicycles in their office upon approval by their respective employers. However, the legislation will dramatically improve public health, reduce carbon emissions, lead to a more sustainable transportation infrastructure, and provide substantial economic benefits for people who would now be able to get to work for free.