New York City has a plan to set up 500 bike lockers across its five boroughs, which could cost around $26 million. This initiative comes amidst growing frustration among residents over street safety issues and the potential loss of hundreds of parking spots.
The Department of Transportation is asking for input on locations for these lockers, designed to hold six bikes and priced at approximately $52,000 each. Many Manhattanites, however, have expressed their concerns about reckless delivery riders and e-bikes making their streets increasingly unsafe.
“That’s absurd. Is it in Brooklyn?” remarked Upper West Side resident Susan Lennon when asked about the location of the lockers.
John Lennon, another local, pointed out the McDonald’s at Broadway and 10th Street, noting the chaos caused by delivery bikes there. “It’s a mess,” he added.
Serge Osorgin, 69, who lives near the 72nd Street subway station, echoed John’s sentiments, alluding to the illogical focus on his neighborhood for installation. “Brooklyn?” he asked, seemingly baffled. “I live here, but it doesn’t make sense here.”
The agreement with vendor Tranzito mandates that they develop a city-branded app for accessing and paying for the lockers. The department plans to offer residential bike parking through an annual subscription, alongside hourly charges near transit hubs. Electric bike charging would also be available at select spots for a fee.
Barry Goralnick, a resident of the Union Square area, expressed his view that cyclists frequently disregard traffic rules and suggested that they shouldn’t be given additional benefits like spacious bike amenities. “Honestly, I think we’ve provided too many resources to cyclists who don’t appreciate it,” he stated.
According to the Department of Transportation, only about 9% of New Yorkers bike regularly, with just over 60,000 using bicycles for commuting in 2023, based on the latest statistics.
“They don’t follow the rules, they ignore traffic signals,” Goralnick elaborated. “I don’t really agree with giving them any more space.”
In contrast, 45-year-old Claudia Weber from Harlem viewed bike parking as potentially beneficial for the community, but still questioned the hefty price tag. “Fifty-two thousand dollars is a lot,” she remarked, adding, “I’m curious about where the funds are coming from.”
A spokesperson for the DOT stated that pricing hasn’t been finalized and emphasized the aim of the program is to create bike storage for New Yorkers lacking home space. “Curb space is a public asset that fulfills various needs,” the spokesperson noted. “Many New Yorkers, especially families, shy away from owning bikes due to space constraints. The Safe Bike Parking Program addresses this by offering a secure storage solution while repurposing a minimal number of vehicle parking slots.”
The city would need to convert roughly 0.02% of its vehicle parking spots into bike lockers, resulting in a loss of about 600 spaces from an estimated 3 million citywide.
New Yorkers can share their suggestions for bike locker locations via the DOT’s website.
