What's happening
This bill requires advance public notice and hearings before constructing or removing bicycle lanes or racks in New York City.
Why it matters
Increases local government and community influence. on bicycle lane and rack decisions by requiring advance notice to city council members, state legislators, and community boards, ensuring their involvement in the process.
Mandates public hearings and community input. before any construction or removal, creating opportunities for residents and local organizations to voice support or concerns and potentially influence project outcomes.
Imposes stricter timelines and transparency. by requiring at least 90 days’ notice before action and additional waiting periods after hearings, which could slow down implementation but allows for more thorough review and feedback.
Gives the Department of Transportation flexibility to revise or cancel plans. based on public input, increasing the likelihood that final decisions will reflect local priorities, but also introducing the possibility of increased delays or cancellations of bike infrastructure projects.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Notify on Bike Lane Changes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cities 1
- Reported and committed to transportation
- Referred to cities 1
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Notify Before Bike Lane Changes
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor Chantel Jackson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1539
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2025
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities 1
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to notification and hearings for proposed construction or removal of bicycle lanes or racks
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-159.9 to read as follows:
§ 19-159.9 Notification of bicycle lane or rack construction or removal. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. "Affected council member" means the council member or members whose districts would contain a proposed bicycle lane or bicycle rack that is to be constructed or removed.
2. "Affected community board" means a community board or boards whose districts would contain a proposed bicycle lane or bicycle rack that is to be constructed or removed.
3. "Bicycle lane" means a portion of the roadway that has been marked off or separated for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.
4. "Bicycle rack" means a fixed-in-place stand, solidly anchored to the ground or other fixed object, which allows a bicycle to lean against it in an upright position with both wheels on a level surface.
b. When the department intends to construct or remove a bicycle lane or bicycle rack, the department shall provide notice through electronic and written means to the affected council member of the affected council district, the state senator of the affected senate district, the member of the assembly of the affected assembly district and the district manager of the affected community board prior to the construction or removal of such lane or rack. Such notice shall be provided at least
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02369-01-5
ninety days before the department constructs or removes such lane or rack.
c. The department shall present its plan at a public hearing held by an affected community board within forty-five days of the department sending the notice required under subdivision b of this section. If changes are made to such plan, it shall present the plan again at a public hearing within forty-five days. The community shall be allowed to provide input on such plans and the department shall not construct or remove a bicycle lane or bicycle rack until forty-five days after the final public hearing.
d. The department shall consider comments from any public hearings and may incorporate changes, where appropriate, into its bicycle lane or bicycle rack plan or cancel plans for construction or removal of such lane or rack if it determines that such lane or rack would be inappropriate.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to notification and hearings for proposed construction or removal of bicycle lanes or racks
Purpose
To require the New York City Department of Transportation to provide electronic and written notification to the community board and local elected officials when there will be a new bicycle lane or rack constructed or removed. Additionally, the department will be required to provide a presentation to the community board and consider comments from the community before implementation of said plan.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the administrative code of the city of New York to add a new section 19-159.9 that requires NYC DOT to provide a ninety day notification to the affected city council, state senate, assembly member, and district manager of the affected community board when the department is constructing or removing a new bicycle lane or rack.
Section 1 also requires NYC DOT to present a plan at a public hearing held by the affected community within forty-five days of the department sending notice or any time changes are made to the originally proposed plan. The department shall consider comments from the public hearings and may incorporate changes where appropriate to do so.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Community boards and community members alike are becoming increasingly concerned about the implementation of incoming bicycle lanes and racks across the Bronx. Concerns include the decrease of parking spaces for community members, an increase in traffic congestion, issues with load- ing and unloading children from school buses, and accessibility concerns during emergencies.
This legislation would require the NYC Department of Transportation to work with the community when implementing new bike lanes and racks. While it is vital that we keep cyclists safe, it is also important to strike a healthy balance to accommodate community concerns. This legis- lation aims to continually develop relationships between the NYC DOT and the community which it serves.
Legislative history
S.4330A of 2023-2024; Amend and recommit to transportation, print number 4330A.
S. 6929 of 2021-22: New Bill, Referred to Cities
Local fiscal implications
N/A
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.