September - October 2005

NYC Says Bike Parking is Illegal

by Ed Ravin

According to the NYC Department of Transportation, it is illegal to chain your bike to any "street fixture". Here's the word from a DoT Customer Service rep, in response to a 5BBC query via nyc.gov:

Current City policy states that bicycles chained to street lamps, signs, and other street fixtures are in violation of the New York City Administrative Code section 16-122(b). This chapter of the Administrative Code involves Sanitation Department matters and may result in removal.

DoT and NYC Law Department staff have told us on the phone that this policy does not apply to bikes locked to a bike rack, but neither Department would give us written confirmation of this exception.

Previous City administrations deliberately did not apply 16-122(b) to bicycles so as not to discourage bicycle use. This new interpretation appears to be related to recent police actions against cyclists participating in Critical Mass, where NYPD has removed bicycles locked up by Mass participants. Outside of these actions, NYPD has removed locked bikes from the street in only a handful of isolated incidents: from areas in Midtown during the RNC, and from the Bedford Ave (L) and Second Ave (F/V) subway station entrances.

The 5BBC has not heard of any other use of this policy against everyday cyclists. But we suggest that cyclists avoid locking to subway entrances, or in any way that might block pedestrian traffic. We'd also like to see the City adopt "dual purpose" street fixtures, such as this combination parking meter and bicycle rack, so that "official" bike parking could be available on every city block.

If you have comments on this new City policy, you can call or write the Mayor's office:

• Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
  City Hall
  New York, NY 10007

• PHONE 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)
  FAX (212) 788-2460

• www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html