Buffalo Rising Online

Sbrof let me assist you in your search for "The Law" of the land and the accommodations required by the City Charter § 307-47.1. Bicycle parking. [Added 5-31-2005, effective 6-10-2005]

A.Bicycle parking facilities shall be provided for any new building, addition, parking lot or enlargement of an existing building, or any change in the occupancy of any new building that results in the need for additional auto parking facilities.

B.For proposed nonresidential uses in the Central Business District and all other business districts located within the City of Buffalo, as noted in the current Zoning Ordinance, having off-street parking requirements of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5% of the automobile parking space requirement. Subject to approval by the Common Council for the proposed parking areas, the required automobile parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one auto space for each six bicycle spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than five 5%.

C.The Commissioner of Public Works shall adopt rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas on private property along with designated areas in the City right-of-way and specifics as to number of racks in a particular area according to need.

D.The Department of Public Works shall oversee the allowable use of right-of-way for spaces, along with sufficient separation from motor vehicle parking areas to protect parked bicycles from damage by motor vehicles. This may be accomplished by grade separation, distance or physical barrier, such as curbs, wheel stops or other similar features.

E.For proposed nonresidential sites having an off-street requirement of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5% of the automobile parking space requirement. Each inverted "U" provided would count as two bicycle parking spaces.

F.Types of bicycle apparatus.

(1)The inverted U-type bicycle rack:

(a)Inverted "U" bike racks shall consist of three to five inverted "U"s mounted 30 inches on-center via base plate rails to create a freestanding array. The inverted "U"s shall be made from one-and-one-half-inch eleven-gauge steel tubing bent to measure 33 inches high, 18 inches wide (minimum dimensions) with a gloss back polyester powder coat finish (or approved equal). The rails shall be two-inch-by-one-inch rectangular steel tubing similarly finished with mounting holes and supplied with vandal-resistant concrete anchor mounting hardware for surface installation to existing concrete.

(b)Each "U" shall be mounted to the rails via vandal resistant or hidden fasteners, which preclude the dismantling of the rack once assembled and installed. In some situations, individual "U"s may be preferable to a base plate array assembly of "U"s installed parallel to and behind the curb in business districts where sidewalk space is limited.

(2)Individual inverted "U" (non-base array) alternative: Individual "U"s to be surface mounted directly to existing concrete shall have a pair of 63/4 inches by two inches steel base plates (minimum dimensions) with two bolt holes each. (3)Use of alternative noninverted "U" bicycle parking racks: As stated above, the inverted "U" is the first choice for all applications. At the discretion of the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, other bicycle security devices may be approved for use in unusual circumstances. Any such alternate security device submitted for approval must provide for:

(a)Supporting the bike frame at two locations (not just a wheel);

(b)Allowing both the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the rack;

(c)Allowing the use of either a cable or U-type lock;

(d)Bicycles which are equipped with water bottle cages;

(e)Bicycles which are not equipped with kick stands;

(f)All types and sizes of bicycles, including various types and sizes of frames, wheel sizes and tire widths.

G.Bicycle parking lockers. Bicycle parking lockers are specifically encouraged for assigned use by employees and bicycle commuters. Bicycle parking capacity provided via lockers will be considered as being in compliance with these rules.

H.Location of bicycle parking racks. Whenever possible, the racks should be placed within 50 feet of building entrances where bicyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode. The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people within the building and/or people entering the building. The placement of the racks should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and motorized traffic. All bicycle parking provided should be on concrete and located a minimum of 24 inches from a parallel wall and 30 inches from a perpendicular wall (as measured to the closest inverted). Sufficient space, to be a minimum of 24 inches, shall be provided beside each parked bicycle to allow access."