so can now the illegal ones get out of our neighborhood? — Sandra on Legal cannabis dispensary coming to Murray?

The commenter is pointing out that advertising is used to subsidise a variety of ‘free’ services. Seems a fair point to me. — Michael on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Hi again, thanks sincerely for your engagement here! If you read my comments again, you will see that I've pointed out that advertising is commonly used to pay for services in both the physical space (bus shelters, bikeshare, newsstands, subways etc) as well as the online space (i.e. this very blog, social media etc). And yes, I do think it's slightly ironic to label us a "advertisement disguised as a public benefit," when there is more visual real estate on this blog dedicated to advertising than words. Like you, we have to pay the bills somehow. We don't operate with any public subsidy at this location... and as others in the comment section have pointed out... these secure bike parking structures are quite common across the world. New York has been a laggard in this category for years, and we've unlocked a way to make this happen, for free to users and the public. — Shabazz Stuart on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Very odd to connect the advertising on my tiny corner of the internet to a public streetscape! — Tribeca Citizen on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

I’ve seen these fancy structures in Tokyo and Europe. I think ppl have romanticized NY as once being safer than Mayberry but I only park my $800 bike where I can see it (for 3 DECADES). It will be nice to finally be able to shop or dine w/o having to ONLY go in stores/restaurants that have a window I can easily check my bike through. — Kim on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Hi there--this is the CEO of Oonee! I wanted to address some of the concerns that were raised in this post and in the comments: 1. Whether protected secure, access controlled secure bike parking facilities are an essential part of a cycling ecosystem-- this isn't a new concept, it's true in most cycling cities. While the concept isn't new, New York has lagged far behind peer cities in North America and Europe in creating this infrastructure. The model we are using here is no different than bus shelters and newsstands. If you care about cycling, then secure parking is a must. If you consider cycling to be a viable form of transit, then free secure parking isn't just valuable, it's the holy grail. You can lock your bike to a rack yes-- but this provides only limited protection against theft-- and no protection against vandalism or weathering. Bicycle racks are Class II parking and really only suitable for 1-2 hour stays. Longer term parking (for the workday or overnight) should be in Class I facilities. You can read about the distinction in this TA report (which also specifically mentions our work) https://transalt.org/reports-list/the-power-of-bicycle-parking 2. There is advertising yes-- but this finances the full cost of maintaining upgraded plaza (the mural was part of the project) and keeps the facility free to use for cyclists and scooter riders. I will also point out that there is also advertising on this very site, presumably allowing it to remain free to readers. We're taking the same approach. 3. Our work has been endorsed by cycling advocates around the city including Transportation Alternatives, Bike New York and StreetsPac-- and creating this class of infrastructure has been on our city's to do list for two decades. 4. We are a small Black & Brown based startup that is working to build these facilities across the region. Some of our facilities are the size of a bikeshare rack, others are located inside buildings. We would be happy to have a conversation with you about our project. Thanks so much for your time! — Shabazz Stuart on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Glad a legal one is popping up — B on Legal cannabis dispensary coming to Murray?

Wow, indeed. The PA doesn't even run the subways, LIRR, or MNR, so this starts off by making zero sense. Even if they did, improving things for cyclists is a net positive for the city, and may even make riding the bus or rails more comfortable, if people switch modes. Either way, as J says, these are paid for by advertising, just like the bus shelters and kiosks. — malcolm on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Belle Reve is an institution. Tribeca would not be the same without it. — Bradford on Community Board 1 agendas for September

I hate to get in the way of your "NYC is suddenly bad and unsafe due to street crime narrative," but I don't think it's EVER been safe to lock a bike of any value outside in NYC even for 15 min. There's a reason that bike lock manufacturers have called their top of the line model "The New York Lock" for decades (Hint, it's not because of the rampant bike theft in Scarsdale" — News Flash on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Right in the article, Lisa: "Funding for the bike parking pod installation was raised by Oonee, which also commissioned the mural designed in partnership with the BID to surround the pod. The costs of building and maintaining the pod are underwritten by advertising on two screens on the pod’s exterior." :) — J on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

So bus and subway fare have gone up as well as LIRR and Metro-North. And the PA is spending money to improve things for bicyclists. Wow — lisa on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

More visual assault to the city! — Carla on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Am I the only one who thinks it is sad that most people will read this article and think, "cool idea" instead of being appalled that a lock-box like this is necessary. Street crime is now so pervasive and normalized in NYC that we've forgotten that it should be OK to just lock your bike to a rack. The city did spend a lot of money installing bike racks as part of the subway resiliency program. https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/three-in-one-flood-protection-benches-and-bike-parking-in-a-new-design/ — Thomas Hagen on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

Clutter the wonderful view of the endless stream of cars and trucks entering the tunnel bumper-to-bumper virtually nonstop from 9am to 8pm? How dare they impede that? — Jake on Nosy Neighbor: What’s the Big Brother-looking structure at the Holland Tunnel?

The Rolling Stones convo with Jimmy Fallon was live this morning at 9:30am but it's still available on YouTube. — Neighbor on Seen & Heard: The Rolling Stones on local stones

I usually think Marcus is a little stern, but he is absolutely correct here. — G on Legal cannabis dispensary coming to Murray?

It would be sad to see Belle Reve go. Fun spot and great music. Sometimes even cool live bands in there. I hope they can survive somehow, whether re-appearing like a Phoenix at this same location, or somewhere nearby but still in our Tribeca neighborhood. — Marcus on Plans for the Boltex Building and Belle Reve at Walker and Church

The entire city smells like the skunk-pocalypse. — Marcus on Legal cannabis dispensary coming to Murray?

Belle Reve is undoubtedly the best bar in Tribeca - seeing it go for some monstrosity of a building would be a dagger to our neighborhood's soul. Belle Reve is constantly teeming with patrons from open to close and livens their corner like no other bar could. I stand with Belle Reve wholeheartedly. — Belle Reve Regular on Plans for the Boltex Building and Belle Reve at Walker and Church

spring 2024 — Tribeca Citizen on Neighbors organizing against roof deck bar service at Warren Street Hotel

Any idea when this hotel is slated to open? Seems like its getting close — Dan on Neighbors organizing against roof deck bar service at Warren Street Hotel

Just one soft ice cream lover's opinion, but I thought it was great. I've read (but can't remember the source) that it was made with superior ingredients). — DGI on The saga surrounding Big Gay Ice Cream

Who cares about their dirty laundry? Is the ice-cream any good? — R. on The saga surrounding Big Gay Ice Cream

Congratulations! Tina & Chef Chip On your new Tribeca home. Look forward to see you soon!🍃🍇 Joanna — Joanna on Sneak Peek: Eulalie