A new law designed to encourage bicycling by requiring parking lots and garages to offer space for bikes is being largely shrugged off. Earlier this month it was noticed that some garages that do accept bikes are charging exorbitant rates and an illegal 18% tax. But a new report suggests that a majority of garage owners are simply refusing to comply with the new law and rejecting cyclists.
The law applies to all lots, but those with fewer than 100 spaces have a two year grace period before they must make room for bikes. But a reporter for the Post recently tried to park a bicycle at 26 Manhattan lots with more than 100 spaces and was turned away over half the time. The city can impose a $500 fine on any garage that turns away cyclists, but some owners seem willing to take that chance. "The city just sent us a letter a month ago—you're my first customer," attendant José Angel at Mercer Parking told the Post. "But it's not enough time to prepare. Every little corner in this garage we are using for cars."
And another garage manager refused to accept the bike because "bikes scratch the cars and cause problems." The new law did not mandate what rates garages could charge for bikes, and some are charging as high as $20 per day or $100 per month, plus the steep 18.375 percent tax. "It's like a car. We charge tax for bikes," said Monir Gackie, an attendant at Murray Park Garage. But a spokesman for the city's Department of Finance confirms that the tax is only supposed to be levied on motor vehicles, so don't pay it or lock your bike elsewhere.
