Appleseed blog

While we wrap up our next post in the bike parking series, we thought we'd point out this amazing bicycle parking solution: the bicycle tree! (As seen on Bike Commute Tips Blog.)

To be sure, the bicycle tree does have drawbacks: it likely draws a lot of power; it requires technological (and literal) overhead; and it looks a bit like a futuristic mushroom -- an eyesore to some, no doubt.

Streetsblog today linked to what could be a more sensible solution for most sites: bike lockers. San Francisco's BART is going to install 200 bike lockers at six of its stations this summer. According to the article, bicyclists will be able to rent them by the hour with a pre-paid swipe card.

Part one of a series

This is the first post in a series about bike parking in New York City. In future posts we will discuss: 1) sites where expanding bike parking could make the most sense; 2) other issues the City should consider in the provision of bicycle parking; and 3) approaches the City might want to consider to get the private and non-profit sectors involved in developing bike parking initiatives.

The New York Times reported on January 17 that the 34th Street Partnership business improvement district is working with Stonehenge Management to reserve a 2,600 square foot lot on West 33rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenue to develop an attended bicycle parking lot. Although there are some wrinkles to iron out, this is a promising development for bicycle commuters (and would-be bicycle commuters) looking for a more secure place to park their bikes after their morning ride to Midtown Manhattan.

Mayor Bloomberg's PLANYC sustainability plan proposes to invest in bicycle facilities – including bike lanes, greenways and bike parking – in order to increase bicycle commuting in the City. Although a small percentage of New Yorkers commute to work by bicycle (about .47 percent of employed New York City residents and .85 percent of employed Manhattan residents as of the 2000 Census), the number is growing and could play a role in relieving crowding on congested subway lines. Since 2000, the number of bicyclists crossing the Manhattan central business district "cordon" on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. has grown by 74 percent to 22,300 riders in 2006.