Double Parking in Bike Lanes

I am a concerned cyclist/resident who has observed dozens of cars illegally parking in the bike lane I ride along during my commute to work. I have repeatedly called 311 and filed multiple complaints, yet each time the local precinct decided that no action was needed. This is hazardous situation and I am frustrated that the city is doing nothing to address this citywide problem. What can I do?

We are really sorry to hear that all your efforts with the NYPD and 311 are getting you nowhere! We at Transportation Alternatives have quarterly meetings with various city agencies and we raise double parking in the bike lanes as a serious issue all the time. Here are some of our ideas about additional things you can do:

1. Join on of our borough volunteer committees and get other people working this issue with you!

2. Take a look at our Adopt-a-Bike-Lane template. Volunteers have helped design this program to rally grassroots support in their local communities for design upgrades to popular bike routes that are not safe enough.

3. Organize your neighbors and friends. Create a petition, attend your local community board meeting about the problem and contact your elected officials.

4. NYPD precincts also have monthly community council meetings. Attend one with friends and speak to officers directly about the problem.

Seems like a lot of work, right? That is why Transportation Alternatives is working really hard to get more self-enforcing, physically separated bike lanes throughout the city! Check out this Streetfilm about what that means, or take a ride over to 9th Avenue (south of 31st Street) or Grand Street in Manhattan to see for yourself.


Submitted by caroline on May 14, 2009 - 1:20pm.