The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Transportation Alternatives, the safe streets and transportation advocacy group, announced yesterday that they will be offering low-cost, secure bicycle parking at the Port Authority Bus Terminal starting April 19 and running through June 18.
The pilot program will provide bicycle storage to bus commuters, delivery workers and local residents who are in search of a safe spot to park bicycles as part of their last-mile commute, delivery work or recreational use.
“The Port Authority is pleased to provide a sustainable commute and peace of mind for cyclists and bus terminal users seeking to have their bikes secured when not in use,” said Diannae Ehler, the director of the Port Authority’s Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals department. “The agency continues to advocate for increased travel options and a better customer experience at all of its facilities.”
“New York City has a severe lack of secure bike parking, and we’re stepping up to address this by piloting a solution in the heart of Midtown Manhattan,” said Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Right now, cycling is more popular than ever, and this pilot will be even more critical as commuters begin returning to the office. We thank our partners Green Mountain Energy, Oonee, and the Port Authority for coming together with an innovative solution that will serve our city — especially essential working cyclists — during this ongoing bike boom.”
“Our mission is to bring a comprehensive secure bike parking system to the residents of New York and New Jersey, and this pilot program from Transportation Alternatives and the Port Authority Bus Terminal is a major step forward and we’re delighted to play a role, especially one that supports essential workers,” said Oonee CEO and founder Shabazz Stuart. “We’re looking forward to working with Transportation Alternatives and other city and state agencies across the region to deliver additional secure bike parking facilities.”
Transportation Alternatives will operate the bike parking service as a two-month long pilot program with support from the Port Authority, which is providing the secure storage space and a kiosk space free of charge to the advocacy group. For a $3 daily fee or $30 monthly fee, cyclists will be able to store their bikes in a secure location within the Midtown bus terminal.
Users will have unlimited access during morning (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) and afternoon (3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) peak travel hours through the work week when check-in/check-out service is provided by Transportation Alternatives staff. Users will also receive a free gift of a bicycle light from the organization.
Fees from the service and a sponsorship from Green Mountain Energy will provide funding for the program’s Transportation Alternatives staff. Delivery workers will have free access to the parking service thanks to a sponsorship from Oonee. An estimated 80,000commercial cyclists work in New York City, many of whom are low-income, immigrants, and people of color.
Interested users can sign up at transalt.org/PabtBikeValet.
Interested delivery workers can sign up here.
The bike parking pilot at the bus terminal will be the second such service provided at a major Port Authority transit hub. Through a partnership with Oonee, the agency has a 20-bike self-service parking facility at the Journal Square PATH station.