‘Oonee’ Modular Bike Parking Pod Comes to Essex Street Market

Photo: Department of Transportation
There’s some interesting new street furniture on the backside of the Essex Market.
The futuristic pod is part of a pilot program that Department of Transportation is touring around the city this spring.
Putting current bike corrals to shame, the so-called Oonee Pod is a modular parking solution marketed as “safe, secure, and simple.” This particular “mini”-branded unit holds up to six bikes and scooters.
It’ll remain outside the Essex Market (at Broome Street) until the end of April. Pods will also make an appearance next month in Union Square.
According to DOT, Oonee’s prototype pods will stay in each location for 29 days. By moving from place to place, the city agency will gather data about use at each location, which will be used to “shape next steps for secure bike parking.”