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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Those of us who ride downtown to some city or other all have the same problem. Where to park your bike. Personally, I have been fighting the idiot bastages who regulate parking for more than 25 years. Here is one of my stories: At the start of Expo ’86 in Vancouver, there was a paved median several blocks long on the street right outside the main entrance to Expo. This median was about 2 bike-lengths wide, with sloped curbing and had no apparent use other than separating the traffic lanes. In other words – PERFECT motorcycle parking for an Expo whose theme was ‘Transportation’. So – several hundred bikers used the median to park for the first few days of Expo. Until – some brilliant mind(s) decided it wasn’t fair that they had to pay for parking – and the bikers didn’t. So without warning, hundreds of bikes were towed – for several days – until the word got around. And it wasn’t just Expo. Buster’s Towing Company used their new power to tow bikes no matter where they were parked in the downtown. And when I got my bike towed from a nice spot in a downtown alley, I decided to act. I contacted reporters at CTV (local television in Vancouver) and explained the above to them. They sent a News Crew out to interview me, and I explained the story on camera to them, and ended the story by pleading with all bikers to join me on a protest ride a few days later. The story was run that night on the news. Several days later at the planned protest ride, several hundred bikers assembled, and I led them on a ride around Expo and the Downtown, then thru Stanley Park, into West Vancouver where we made a NOISY several loops around Jimmy Pattison’s house – since he was in charge of Expo. Well, I’ll tell you – we got some action! ‘No Parking’ signs were posted up and down the aforementioned median. And the Expo parking lots all posted a Motorcycle Parking rate – at ½ of the rate for autos. A number of stalls were set aside for the bikes and marked as such. The results? They parked 6 bikes in one auto spot – thus TRIPPLING their revenue. Mr. Pattison was/is a good businessman. In the 25+ years since Expo, the situation has actually gotten worse for bikers. I have lived and travelled in many other cities since then and seen how much better parking is for bikers. A brief list: - All Shopping Malls have dedicated spots near the entrances for motorcycles - Private parking garages all had the same – at a discounted parking rate - All triangular spots at intersections were FREE parking for bikes, except where unsafe Here is a link to a story in our local paper (The Vancouver Sun) that was run today about a man who is trying to do something about this mess: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/todays-paper/Riders+take+parking+concerns+downtown+streets/6528480/story.html Can any of you offer suggestions, tips, personal stories, success stories, whatever - to help us fight the S.O.B.'s who make the rules about this? Maybe if we win here - we can help you there - please respond ! Don |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | C'mon - anyone?
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Sorry Don. One, there is many big cities I go to, and second, the one I go to, I usually can park somewhere for free, while cagers have to pay. There are some tolls though that I pay as much as a car, and that I don't get. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | varyder - 2012-04-28 6:41 AM Sorry Don. One, there is many big cities I go to, and second, the one I go to, I usually can park somewhere for free, while cagers have to pay. There are some tolls though that I pay as much as a car, and that I don't get. I meant to say "there is NOT many big cities I go to"... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | I Edmonton which is the most bike un-friendly city I know. They have motorcycle noise by-law and like to raise the city coffers by targeting us motorcycles. My Vision may not exceed it, however, just on principal I refuse to ride into to town and support any bussiness onside it's corporate limits. We have many bedroom communities which appreciate my money from coffee's, and lunches. The other bonus is I don't have to ride in an over congested street and put myself into danger.
We have a ride for prostate cancer every year, and since the new bylaw, it has moved from starting and ending in the city limits! Over 1000 motorcycles, and approx 1500 riders. The raise more than 100,000.00 dollars, and is primarily organised by the Police and Fire dept's. They did an awesome job of closing off intersections for the ride to progress with few stops along the ride.
The city council is run by many councilors looking out for their personal best interests. IE, North/South truck route which is diverted 10 miles around a 15 block section. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | So, exercise your rights! Show up at City Council Meetings en mass and invite the press then ask to speak during public comments time. Keep showing up at every meeting, go to City Planning Commision meetings, Get rider groups involved in showing up at these public meetings (300 GWRA members at the same function are pretty daunting to these clowns and the vast majority of us are professionals, not dirt bag difters). It's sort of like if you sit on a pillow and fart no one hears you-stand up and let 'er rip in public. If you local TV stations have consumer advocate reporters, talk to them and try to get your side of the story on air, politicians hate having bright light shined on some questionable practices they might be involved in , and of course, campaign for the individuals replacement at the next election. City councils really don't like it when you tell them, on the public record that what you see is 7 light bulbs and bulbs that flicker often get replaced (I've done that very thing at City Coucil Meetings), they're supposed to work FOR you not against you, remind them of that little fact. Let them know you are a citizen in good standing and a property owner and a TAXPAYER!! and you aren't happy about how your tax dollars are being spent I believe it's called Democracy-I'd say, grow a set,because politicos just love it when all the sheep are quiet and sleepy.
Edited by SYNSTR 2012-04-28 9:35 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Here your only allowed 2 bikes per parking meter. Yup the cops started handing out tickets. So the went around and one morning years back every one road to the city's at five in the morning and parked one bike per meter all the way around the court house and a couple blocks away.
Some in a car ask what was going on and explained to them. Doesn't happen any more. The guy that asked was assistant to the Mayor. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | John, I think that's what the 'protest ride' is going to do. But mix it up by parking a bunch on one spot every block or half-block. With a few hundred bikes - we can clog up a LOT of downtown parking - piss some people off, amaze others, but hopefully get the 'Powers That Be' thinking about it.
But I really want to hear what was done in your city/town to make things better - or what DIDN'T work !
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Well... when one champion's socialism... that's what they get.... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | willtill - 2012-04-29 7:03 AM
Well... when one champion's socialism... that's what they get....
"HUH!??!" |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | I've been forced to drive into Washington DC several times over the past year and discovered that they actually have set aside metered spaces for motorcycles only. You park back tire to the curb allowing them to get 3 or 4 spaces within an area a single cage would use. Each space has it's own meter. Currently they are coin operated only and have been raised from 25 to 50 cents per hour. Although you can feed the meter for a full day you are only suppose to have up to 4 hours on it. I've noticed that many of the regulars are filling it up for the entire work day, so enforcement must not be very rigorous.
Anyone else notice that hotels with valet only parking don't know what to do with cycles? Some park you right outside the front door and others let you park it in the lot/garage. To date I've never been charged when I grab an attendant and tell them I need to get out. At $20+ per night it adds up to a nice savings.
Edited by lennyb 2012-04-29 6:25 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Interesting, Len. So - the 'Nations Capital' recognizes bikers needs. What about other cities? Better? Worse?
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Since they are fitting 4 slots in the space of one car, is the fee 1/4th the price? |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Darrell, those are the questions I am trying to find answers for. What are you ALL paying? And where - what city? And do you think it's fair? Why not?
Pleeeeeezzzzeee .... some answers? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | Ii hate paying the same tolls as cages. Many toll roads have sensor pads in the Prepaid lanes. If you ride down the white line, there is about a 3-4 foot "lane" without any sensors! A bike can cruise down the middle without triggering any sensor! No toll charged!
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Not many parking meters in my neck of the woods, but most parking lots charge the same for motorcycles as they do cars. The diferencw is that I can often find a 'too tight' spot on the street in front of the parking lot for free.
Our local toll road http://www.91expresslanes.com/ will issue a transponder to motorcycles free of monthly fees and use of the express lane free all times except Friday rush hour, then it's half off. Their transponder is good at all California toll roads as well, but you will get charged whatever that toll may be. |
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Motorcycle Parking in the City
