The D.C. Council adopted legislation Tuesday requiring all new apartment and condominium complexes include substantial space for bicycle parking, though the measure’s final version backed off similar standards for existing buildings.
The bill, introduced by Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells, mandates that new or substantially renovated residential buildings provide one bike space for every three units.
Existing buildings must provide reasonable bicycle parking spaces based on demand from residents.
And the legislation includes a hardship exemption for certain buildings, including assisted-living facilities, senior homes and those with physical limitations.
Commercial property owners, meanwhile, will have to guarantee that at least 5 percent of their vehicular parking spaces are set aside for bicycles.
Wells was prepared to move a stricter version of the bill several weeks ago, but the Apartment and Office Building Association of D.C. stepped in at the last minute to oppose it.
The earlier version called for one bicycle space per four residential units but offered few exemptions for existing buildings.
“We can create all the bicycle lanes we want, but if we don’t provide parking on either end of the ride, those lanes will stay empty,” Wells said.
The bill also requires that the D.C. government provide at least 16 bicycle parking spaces at the Wilson Building.
