The DOT has made great strides installing more "CityRacks" around town where cyclists can lock their bikes (until they need to be carted off for a presidential motorcade). But despite all that, there's still a desperate need for bike parking in some areas (we're looking at you, Union Square North). And if even if you find a place to lock up, bike theft is still a major problem in this town. That's where private parking garages and parking lots come in (as required by law). Why, for just $229.62 a month, you can have secure, convenient bike parking in a garage on 12th Street, between Fifth Avenue and University Place!
That price point tops our last story about bike parking fees, when we marveled at an $84 a month garage parking fee. Sure, that's fine for the rabble whose bikes don't mind slumming it at the equivalent of the La Quinta Inn. But if you really care about your precious steed, you'll want nothing but the best. So we called up the 12th Street garage to find out what kind of perks they offer with the parking fee. Turndown service with a mint on the handlebars? Free hot stone seat massages? Lube jobs and spoke tightening? No. The manager on duty told us the $229 fee doesn't come with any perks at all... other than the prime location next to Bowlmor!
A few calls placed to other garages found some "better" deals. The garage at 425 Park Avenue and 5th Street charges $100/month for bike parking ($10 a day). The outdoor lot at 182 East 95th Street and Third Avenue charges $75 a month, while the garage at 55 Water Street costs $150 a month. Of course, none of those have the cachet of University Place, but maybe your bike needs to lower its standards a little bit.
