Bikes In Buildings

Bikes in Buildings is a program created to implement the Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law. The program allows tenants of office buildings to request bicycle access for their employees. In response to a request, a building owner or manager must either grant access or request an exception from the New York City Department of Transportation.

Cyclists who work in office buildings and would like to commute by bicycle, but can't because they have no place to store their bike securely during the workday. Employers also benefit from increased employee cycling since aerobic exercise provided by riding bikes improves health outcomes and reduces costs of health insurance.

A building is subject to the Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law if:

• It is a commercial office building;
• It has a freight elevator; and
• A tenant or subtenant requests bicycle access.

Cyclists who work in office buildings and would like to commute by bicycle, but can't because they have no place to store their bike securely during the workday, may receive new workday parking options under the law.

Employers who would like to allow their employees to park bikes in the office may request that building management allow them to do so. Employers must be able to accommodate employees' bicycles within their rented space

Office Buildings: If a tenant requests bicycle access for their offices, the building must create a Bicycle Access Plan, unless it qualifies for one of two types of exceptions to the law. It is the responsibility of tenants to safely store bicycles within their space, should they request access.

Other Buildings: The Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law only applies to office buildings. Residential buildings or any other building that is not primarily composed of offices (even if it has some office space in addition to other, predominant uses) is not affected by the law.

The law aims to increase cycling in New York City by giving office workers who wish to commute by bicycle better options for parking their bikes. Increasing the number of bicycle commuters will lead to a healthier, cleaner, and less-congested New York for everyone.

Does the law allow me to bring my bike in and out of the building whenever I want?

If a building responds to a request for bicycle access by creating a Bicycle Access Plan, it is required to allow access, at a minimum, during the regular operating hours of the freight elevator. If, for example, the regular hours of the freight elevator are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, a building is within its rights to allow bicycle access during only those hours. The law does not require the building owner/manager to adjust the hours of the freight elevator to accommodate the work schedules of tenants or employees in the building.

Before you can bring your bike into the office, your employer must request bicycle access from the building on a form provided by the Department of Transporation. This form can be completed online at www.nyc.gov/bikesinbuildings. In most cases, the building will either implement a Bicycle Access Plan or provide secure alternate bicycle parking in or near the building about a month after a request for bicycle access is filed.

If you feel that your building owner isn't complying with the terms of the law, you can contact the Bikes in Buildings program by emailing bikesinbuildings@dot.nyc.gov or by calling 311. You should provide specific information including your company name, the building address and the Index Number.