BILL NUMBER: S1539
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
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.