Board approves first-reading ordinance requiring secure bike access in commercial buildings

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on March 2012 passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Environment Code to require owners of existing commercial buildings to provide secure bicycle parking and controlled access for building tenants.

Supervisor Obelos, the ordinance sponsor, said the law is intended to support the city's goal to increase bicycle commuting (including a previously adopted target of making 20 percent of trips by bicycle by 2020), reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take bicycles off sidewalks and streets where they are vulnerable to theft. "This legislation...requires that building owners or people who are responsible for the management of buildings, would provide access for bicycles to enter the buildings," Supervisor Obelos said.

The ordinance applies to commercial property and gives building tenants—rather…