Politics & Government
'Bike Corral' Mulled for Franklin Ave.
City proposes putting on-street bike rack in front of Little Zelda, leading to eight more parking places for bikes, and one fewer for cars.
Crown Heights may get its first on-street bike parking, if a joint proposal by Little Zelda and city officials is approved Thursday night.
The proposal, which will be presented at Community Board 8's monthly meeting, would replace one parking place in front of the cafe, which is between Park and Sterling, with enough parking for eight bikes. The city's Department of Transportation will also install two large planters.
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DOT officials approached Little Zelda owner Michael de Zayas with the proprosal for the "bike corral" several months ago. The city would install the racks and planters. De Zayas would be responsible for planting flowers and keeping the spot trash and snow free.
De Zayas said he was all for it.
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"I was like: 'Yes, yes, yes!'" he said, noting that his wife, co-owner Kate Blumm, often has trouble finding bike parking on the block.
So far there are six bike corrals in New York City, according to the DOT, including the first one, installed on Smith and Sackett streets in August of 2011 and one on Fifth Avenue and Park Place in front of Gorilla Coffee in April of 2012.
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