the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the opening of the largest free, secure bicycle parking facility for public use in Manhattan as part of the agency’s commitment to enhance access across its facilities. The 20-bike secure bicycle parking enclosure outside the Midtown Bus Terminal offers innovative, secure bike storage options through an agency partnership with Brooklyn-based company Oonee, which maintains several bike parking pods in New York and New Jersey.
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“As cycling continues to grow in our communities, it is vital that the necessary resources are in place to ensure a safer commute,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Offering innovative bike parking at the Midtown Bus Terminal is part of the Port Authority’s commitment to an easier and more environmentally friendly commute.”
“Providing free secure bike parking at the Midtown Bus Terminal will offer customers and nearby residents a safer way to park their bikes when utilizing our facility,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This project is another example of the Port Authority’s commitment to providing the cycling community improved access to our facilities.”
The pod at the Midtown Bus Terminal provides commuters, terminal employees, delivery workers and local residents a secure spot to store bicycles as part of their last-mile commute, delivery work or recreational use. The new Oonee pod – located on 42nd Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues – features 20 docks for bicycles to be securely housed and protected. Oonee pods feature security cameras, secure door accessed via mobile app, smart locks, lift-assist racks, interior and exterior lighting, and theft insurance. Installation and maintenance for the pod is provided at no cost to the Port Authority, and revenue is generated for Oonee through paid advertisement on the pod’s exterior.
Today’s announcement is part of the Port Authority continued efforts to increase and redesign bike access to its facilities. Earlier this year, the George Washington Bridge opened a reconstructed pathway that was redesigned with particular consideration to cyclists and those with mobility issues by removing 171 access steps and widening approach paths. The Goethals Bridge opened a shared-use path in 2020 that connects to newly created paths on Staten Island and in Elizabeth, N.J., providing safe and seamless access between the two communities for cyclists and pedestrians. In 2019, the Port Authority opened a new, wider shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path on the Bayonne Bridge that gave cyclists and walkers an environmentally friendly mode of travel between Bayonne, N.J., and Staten Island. Bicycle accessibility information at other agency facilities can be found here.
In addition to the bus terminal, Oonee is installing two smaller parking pods opening in April at the PATH Harrison station, while a singular pod will be installed on Port Authority property in a pedestrian plaza at Hudson and Canal streets near the Holland Tunnel. The Port Authority first partnered with Oonee on a pilot program in 2019 at the PATH Journal Square Station where it proved to be popular among the biking community.
“We are grateful to the Port Authority and the community for the opportunity to provide this crucial service. Cycling and micro-mobility are critical in playing a central role in New York’s future working to ease traffic congestion and help our region become greener, and cleaner,” said Shabazz Stuart, founder and CEO of Oonee. “Unfortunately, the lack of secure parking has become a major impediment to increased adoption of this transportation mode. With the launch of this modern facility, we hope to provide communities across the city with a replicable model for how to finally address this need.”
Those looking to access the bus terminal pod will use the Oonee app to unlock the doors. The pods provide customers parking for up to 72 hours, after which they are notified via e-mail due to inactivity. The app will also locate existing and upcoming pods in the New Jersey and New York area. Spaces in the pod are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Other Oonee sites include Barclays Center in Brooklyn and a pod at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
