Parking Alert!!
Aug 13th, 2008 by Leo
****Alert****
I’ve heard from the grapevine that there’s a crackdown all over the city on motorcycles and scooters, with an emphasis on cracking down on sidewalk parking. That’s a $115 ticket just for the sidewalk parking, and another ticket if you don’t have plates on your bike. Normally the NYPD doesn’t care about parking issues unless there is a complaint, but this is a special crackdown on motorcycles and scooters. And whereas the DOT doesn’t bother to run VIN numbers, the NYPD will. My source says it’s until Friday, but you might want to keep off the sidewalk for another week or so.
They are also pulling over motorcycles and scooters checking licenses, registration, and inspection stickers. So don’t forget to bring your license and registration with you!
I talked to a police officer about this. He wasn’t crazy about having to write tickets for parking violations. That’s not what most police officers sign on for, and yes here are better things for them to do, but the higher-ups are putting the men and women in blue on ticket duty this week. So you’ve been warned. Cheers!
Related Posts:
- Are Motorcycles Green or Not?
- Top Five Sidewalk Parking Tips
- How to Park your Motorcycle…in NY
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I have read most of your posts, very interesting and informative.
I am NEW to start commuting with my bike from BAYSIDE (QUEENS) to Midtown, unfortunatelly only today I saw a precint sign…After a year observing other bikers parking at vanderbilt ave and 47st midtown without problems… the sign says, “MOTORCYCLISTS, remove your motorcycle or it will be confiscated + fine”…I called in the precint in question, no one I’ve spoken to knew about this!
Any comments or advices on parking on the street like vanderbilt ave, between Park and Madison Ave.
Tks
LCL
The NYPD gives motorcycle a hard time around this time of year – so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were cracking down on the parking there… It’s “commercial vehicles only” during the day, correct? If that’s the case maybe just move it to a different street for a few weeks – after that you can go back.
There is a parking lot on 43rd and 6th Ave that takes bikes for around $100/mo. If that’s in walking distance – it’s not a bad price for a little peace of mind until the police forget about the bikes again.
I don’t know much about parking in that area – so if anyone else knows what to do around there, share the wealth!
Here’s a great resource for finding on-street parking in NYC.
http://primospot.com/
I am also a regular at 47th and Vanderbilt. Today the PD was taking down VIN’s for those bikes that were not covered. I was told it was because the trucks were complaining that they could not park. The interesting thing is that there is no sign saying you can’t park there. Most likely the sign was removed by someone.
I always cover mine. I’m told that if it is covered, the PD can not legally go under it to search for plates or VIN’s. Someone please correct me if I am incorrect here.
Hey Dave,
Thanks for the heads up!
As far as I know – anyone can look under a covered bike, there’s no law against it. But there is a law against obscuring license plates, so overzealous police sometimes use that as an excuse to give covered bikes an extra ticket.
I’m lucky I took the train today.
I just witnessed the NYPD taking every bike from 47th and Vanderbilt today. I even videoed a few cops breaking into a scooter with a screwdriver.
YouTube Vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fTLs1XSw0U
They ticketed all bikes (10 or more) that were parked in a row on 51st between 6th and 7th on Thursday. I got two tickets – no license plate + parking in NYP only section. I’ve been parking there since April and never got a ticket before – guess they really are cracking down, at least temporarily.
I’m going to be a new Vespa (S 150ie) owner soon and by reading all your posts I anticipate some frustration on parking. I chose to ride because I would like to cut my commute time to and from work; and also to gain a bit more freedom in the city.
The motorcycle lifestyle isn’t such a big problem in Europe. Why is it such a big deal in the US? We should look to them so that we may learn how to co-habitate with our four-wheel and two-feet friends.
Personally, I think that NYC (or any city for that matter) and (its respective) DOT should adapt to the changing times by providing safe and legal designated parking for motorcycles and scooters. NYC has done well so far in terms of bicycle lanes and parking; it is green, it is almost everywhere, and there is a strong demand.
For whatever reason, more people are choosing to ride motorcycles and scooters; our population is growing! So to receive what we need and deserve (respect from all, safe and legal designated parking, etc.) I strongly reccommend that we become active in participating, organizing, and acquiring recognition and laws to protect our motorcycling communities. That being said, we need to keep in mind our responsibilities on the road and off the road.
Until then, let’s keep the dialogue alive. I am optimistic that we will receive what we need and deserve in due time.
Some parking ideas that come to mind right away are:
1. Make friends with establishments where you often travel to. Ask them if you could park somewhere discretely within their property. Offer a small monthly fee if you can afford it.
2. Share a parking spot in a garage. It can lower one’s monthly garage fees! Think co-op.
3. Post needs and offers on motorcycle parking on Craigslist.