Requires bicycle access to office buildings

Title of bill

An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to requiring bicycle access to office buildings

Purpose

To ensure office buildings provide bicycle access plans.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends the transportation law by adding a new article 23, sections 500 through 507, providing for bicycle access to office buildings.

Section 500 will establish these provisions apply to certain office buildings with a freight elevator.

Section 501 provides the tenant or subtenant of a building may request in writing that the owner or person who controls such building complete a bicycle access plan.

Section 502 provides where a request for a bicycle access plan has been properly submitted, the owner or person who controls the building shall complete and implement the plan within 30 days or provide a copy of the filed request for an exception. A plan shall include location of entrances, route to freight elevators that accommodate bicycle access, route to a designated area for bicycle parking and other information as may be required by the Department of Transportation. Bicycle access must be available, at a minimum, during regular operating hours of the freight elevator. The plan may be amended to accommodate requests from other tenants.

Section 503 provides for exceptions when the freight elevator is not available for this use due to substantial safety risks or when there is sufficient secure alternate covered off-street or indoor no-cost bicycle parking available on the premises or within three blocks or 750 feet, whichever is less, to accommodate all tenants or subtenants requesting bicycle access. If an exception is sought, the Department of Transportation will conduct an inspection and issue a final determination. If the exception is denied, a bicycle access plan shall be posted within 20 days.

Section 504 provides bicycles shall not be permitted to be transported through any means of egress during an emergency, whenever elevator use is prohibited.

Section 505 provides every owner or person who controls a building subject to this article shall post in a prominent location easily visible to tenants each bicycle access plan in effect and any exceptions that have been granted.

Section 506 provides the Department of Transportation may require bicycle access plans implemented be filed in a timely manner.

Section 507 provides exemptions for providing space for bicycles or permitting bicycles to be parked in a manner that violates building or fire codes or any other applicable law, rule or code, or which otherwise impedes ingress or egress to a building.

Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.

Existing law

New law

Justification

The state should encourage bicycling as a means of transportation, which promotes both healthy lifestyles and a cleaner environment. If buildings do not guarantee bicycle access, many would be bicycle users are discouraged. This is modeled after the New York City legislation.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Local fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.