Flickr via Waltarrrrr

A new L.A. bike ordinance will require more bike parking at developments across the city.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa has signed a new ordinance into law that will mandate more bike parking at commercial and residential developments across the city. encourages the swapping of car parking spaces for bike parking spaces, and outlines the requirements for these new spots.

that the new law states that commercial developments near transit lines can replace one car spot with four bike spots, for up to 30 percent of their required number of parking spaces. For all other types of development, up to 10 to 20 percent of car parking can be replaced with bike parking. The law also says that at least two bike parking spots must be provided at most commercial and residential buildings.

The ordinance outlines the minimum requirements for short-term and long-term bike parking, as well as setting standards for the lighting, signage and location of these spaces.

New developments that require 20 or more long-term bike parking spots will also need to provide at least 100 square feet of repair space for residents and employees, according to the

This bike parking ordinance has been in the works for years, and was poised to pass as early as 2011 before it was sent back to City Planning for technical corrections.

In mid-January the ordinance was approved by City Council and last Friday, the Mayor signed the ordinance into law; continuing his reputation for supporting bike and transit-friendly policy.

“The city is undergoing a transportation renaissance and we are changing the way Los Angeles moves,” said Villaraigosa, . “We have made unprecedented investments in the city’s bike infrastructure, with more bikeways and bike parking spaces than any time in the city’s history. The bicycle parking ordinance is another step in making it easier for Angelenos to navigate the city on two wheels.”

The law is scheduled to go into effect on March 13, 2013.