Requires the metropolitan transportation authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council, the Metro-North Rail Commuter's Council and the New York City Transit Authority Advisory Council to develop a strategic action plan to improve bicycle and pedestrian access at its bridges and passenger stations.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6235B
SPONSOR: Gonzalez-Rojas TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the
metropolitan transportation authority to develop a strategic action plan
to improve bicycle and pedestrian access at its bridges and passenger
stations
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require the MTA to develop a strategic plan to promote
cycling and pedestrian access on MTA bridges, bike parking at MTA subway
and commuter rail stations, and bike access on board MTA equipment.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public authority law to require the MTA and rele-
vant subsidiaries and authorities to develop a strategic action plan to
improve cycling and pedestrian access on MTA bridges, bike parking at
MTA subway and commuter rail stations, and bike access on board MTA
equipment. The plan must include a review of current capital projects
and how they will impact access. Within one year the MTA must submit a
report to the Governor and Legislature and make it available online.
Section 2 amends the public authority law 1269-b to require the authori-
ties to consider the impact of future capital plans on bicycle and
pedestrian access.
Section 3 amends subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 1266-e of the public
authorities law to expand the duties of the Metro-North rail commuter
council to include studying and making recommendations on bicycle and
pedestrian access. The council will have one additional member who must
have a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion of bicycling
or pedestrian access.'
Section 4 amends subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 1266-d of the public
authorities law to expand the duties of the Long Island railroad commu-
ter council to include studying and making recommendations on bicycle
and pedestrian access. The council will have one additional member who
must have a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion of bicy-
cling or pedestrian access.
Section 5 amends subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 1205-e of the public
authorities law to expand the duties of the New York City Transit
Authority Advisory council to include studying and making recommenda-
tions on bicycle and pedestrian access. The council will have three
additional members recommended by the Mayor who must have a demonstrated
expertise or interest in the promotion of bicycling or pedestrian
access.
Section 6 sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Bicycling has been the fastest growing mode of transportation in New
York City during the past decade. According to the New York City Depart-
ment of Transportation, almost 900,000 New Yorkers ride a bicycle regu-
larly, and at least a third of New Yorkers have ridden one in the past
year.' But unlike every other major transportation agency in New York
City, the MTA bans bicycle use on its bridges, and has put little effort
into improving bicycle and pedestrian access. The MTA also does very
little to facilitate secure bicycle access to and from its transit hubs
and stations, even though local bike access to transit stations can
encourage residents to use public transportation options instead of
driving.
In contrast to the MTA, the New York City Department of Transportation,
the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State
Thruway Association, and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey,
have all incorporated bicycle and pedestrian access in reconstruction
designs.
The current MTA five year capital program is projected to spend approxi-
mately 3.3 billion dollars on bridges and tunnels, but designates no
money to improve walking, cycling, or allow bicycle use on bridges,
despite the growing need to do so. This bill would expand the role of
existing pedestrian advisory councils to study and make recommendations
around improving bicycle and pedestrian access. Furthermore, this bill
would require the MTA to create a strategic action plan to expand bike
and pedestrian access, including assessing the impact of its current
capital plan on bicycle and pedestrian access. This plan must be submit-
ted to the Legislature and made available to the public within one year.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect immediately.
1 https://wwwl.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ bicyclists/cyclinginthecity.shtml
