The DOT Announced its new bike parking pilot, dubbed “Mini,” a prototype from Brooklyn-based company Oonee, that will place six-bike protected curbside corrals at five high-profile locations around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens in an effort to expand on secure bike parking in the city.
DOT Commissioner Rodriguez stated in a press release, “As cycling has grown more popular during the pandemic, we know that finding safe bike parking is among the obstacles riders face – and Oonee expertly meets that need.”
Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director of the Meatpacking Business Improvement District, added that cyclist-friendly streets are critical to the city’s economic success now that more New Yorkers have begun, and are continuing to, make their return to their offices.
Parking with Oonee is free but will require cyclists to access Oonee through their website. Each bike parking pod will have an illuminated interior to allow cyclists to access their bikes at all hours. They’ll also be equipped with rapid-response customer service as well as insurance coverage for all bike and scooter users. A dedicated “Oone Care” staff will ensure the structures are properly maintained and will add greenery around the pod in an effort to make them more attractive.
The first pod has already been installed in the Meatpacking District, at 400 W 14th Street.
The following locations will be home to these pods in the coming months:
- April – Lower East Side BID, Broome /Essex near Essex Street Market, Manhattan
- May – Union Square BID, SE Corner 14th Street & 5th Ave near New School, Manhattan
- June – Prospect Heights NDC, Vanderbilt Ave Open Street near 577 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
- July – 31st Avenue Open Street, near 34-02 31st Ave, Astoria, Queens
The pods will be placed in each location for 29 days before being relocated in order for DOT to gather data about use at each location.
DOT is committed to expanding secure bike parking, and along with this pilot they have a two-year goal to install 10,000 new racks by the end of 2022.