Why people park on the sidewalk…
Sep 4th, 2009 by Leo
Repost of motorcycle being stolen in Brooklyn
“What’s wrong with you people that you need to park illegally on the sidewalk?” It’s a valid question, especially considering that motorcyclists have a *reletively* easy time finding parking. Yes there are some places in the Manhattan where it’s “impossible” to find street parking even for a scooter – but it’s doubly impossible for cars. So “why do so many bikers park on the sidewalk?” ask law abiding citizens and NYPD… Here’s why (watch the video). YouTUBE is filled with videos like these of people parked legally, employing existing security measures (steering lock, wheel lock) only to be foiled by two guys and van.
Meanwhile there’s a perfectly good street sign a few feet ahead. If this motorcyclist parked on the sidewalk and chained it up to the sign, this kind of theft would never have happened. On the sidewalk the bike would be out of the way of cars and pedestrians, and save tax payer money by reducing the police work for stolen vehicles.
“But what about people who park on the sidewalk but don’t chain up to anything?” Even then there’s an added bit of security. Parking conspicuously on the sidewalk means it will be more conspicuous for someone to come along and haul it away…and a longer haul from the spot to the van.
As it is, I don’t recommend parking on the sidewalk for the time being… Although I still do…where I can park right up against a building (with the building manager’s consent), and in the boroughs when I’m only parked for a short time.
As an alternative, I’ve considered going with an electric jack hammer and a tub of concrete mix to places I normally park to install ground anchors (like this one) in the street. When I’m able to park near my car (when my car is at the front of the block, and not going anywhere), I chain my bike up to the car. But there have got to be better ways… Any ideas? Share the wealth!
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Wow. No question chain it to something.
I think fear of *DAMAGE* is at least as great a concern as fear of theft. I park legally, and my bike has been knocked / over FOUR TIMES this year! (And, that doesn’t even count the time my mother-in-law nearly knocked it over with her CRV. ;-P )
Last time it happened was about four weeks ago. Professional movers decided my (legally parked) bike was in teh way of their moving truck. They dragged it (and dropped it) to the curb so they could park. (Those of you who know me, know what I did — but that’s another story.)
New York City needs DEDICATED, LEGAL street parking for motorcycles and scooters. My belief is that illegal sidewalk parking will cease if scooter and motorcycle riders have a safe place to park legally.
For example, why can’t we have THIS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerlbaum/3616858185
Instead of THIS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerlbaum/3616865705
(Any rider who looks at this picture will cringe.)
I don’t even consider parking in the city (NYC in my case). I can’t think of riding somewhere in the city, getting off, and walking away from the bike for awhile. Unattended in an urban environment where theft, vandalism, capricious law enforcement, or several million people who just don’t give a F about your shiny pride and joy if taking care to not damage it inconveniences them in the slightest is too many variables left to fate. I’ll only leave my bike if I’m riding with others and there’s at least one person to mean mug anyone careless enough to endanger the bikes.
Now there is the idea I’ve been thinking of about having a beater city bike. Apart from those who get jollies from posturing and revving their way from stoplight to stoplight I’m feeliing a sport bike is about the worst application of 2 wheeled moto transport in the city. I always eye the dual sport riders with envy for their upright seating position and suspensions made for moonscape roadways. Thinking a cheap dual sport bike with a couple budget mods towards supermoto would be an ideal bike to ride around town, leave anywhere and not care about dings and drops.