Take Your Bike to Work Days Kick in Across the City

Lots of bike-related news in New York lately: First came the study about bike lanes being blocked frequently (you read about it here...) and now comes a new law that mandates bike access to office buildings.
The law went into effect last Friday; it states that building managers must make bike access plans and allow bicycles in freight elevators. (The law, as makes sense, only applies to buildings with freight elevators.)
But like most New York City laws, there’s a catch: Employers don’t have to actually make a space for the bikes to be stored. So you can ride your bike to work, get it upstairs to your office--and then you’re on your own. (Perhaps it can share your cubicle?)
Another drawback: Access only has to be granted during the hours the freight elevators run, which can sometimes end as early as 6 pm. Plus, of course, there's paperwork—bikers may need to fill out forms asking landlords to create a bike access plan, and some buildings may be exempt (for instance, a freight area may not be safe.)
Still, the law at least makes a start in allowing New Yorkers a greener (and often faster) way to get to work. In addition, it eliminates the worry of having to park a bike on the street.
And should you decide to join the cycling hordes, when all around you are gnashing their teeth waiting for the next bus or subway car, you can smile smugly and pedal on.

Take to the Streets for Summer Streets

For the next three Saturdays (August 8, 15, 22), forget your car--just bring along a sturdy pair of sneakers or a two-wheeled vehicle if you’re planning to be near New York City’s Park Avenue. The New York Department of Transportation and its partners are presenting “Summer Streets,” which closes Park and connecting streets to cars from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. What will be there instead? If you have any sense of adventure, you will!
You can walk, stroll, amble, bike, or jog your way though the streets, which will also host a variety of activities, from free fitness forums and bike and skate rentals to music, art and dance performances and events. Want more? Check out the Reading Area (on Park between 52nd and 53rd); or the Kids Zone, which offers games and crafts for the younger set (52nd between Park and Lexington).
(Oh, yes--sitting and relaxing are just fine, too.) The event is part of the city’s initiative to make people more aware of “greener” transportation alternatives, and is modeled on similar events that have been held around the world.
The streets will be closed from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information (about the event itself; street closures, or alternate routes), dial 311; you can request to be connected to the Summer Streets Hotline.