Parking
Introduction 0980-2009 was sponsored by Councilwoman (and Transportation Committee member) Jessica Lappin. This bill would require the DOT to develop a plan for motorcycle parking at Muni Meters. This bill was followed in 2010 by Introduction 0046-2010.
Muni Meters as they have been deployed in New York City have long been a sore point for the owners of motorcycles and scooters, who have no secure, protected or consistent areas in which to place the receipts for inspection by traffic enforcement agents. The city never gave a thought to motorcycles when it implemented the Muni Meters, and the city has never had a realistic plan for motorcyclists, insisting that people fasten to their motorcycles clear containers for these receipts.
While that may address the needs of native New Yorkers, we are puzzled how anyone can reasonably believe that tourists and visitors will know that they will need containers for these Muni Meter receipts, and that they will fasten these accessories to their motorcycles before they visit. Even if people did know, we can't see how anyone would think that the owners of any vehicles would be willing to mar the surfaces of those vehicles by using adhesives or drilling holes, only to end up with a place for the receipts that still is not really secure from weather, theft or mischief.
Seven motorcycles can fit in the space allowed
for one automobile. Motorcyclists should be entitled to discounted parking
for the reduced real estate we use. Better yet, the city could follow the
great example set by Toronto, Canada. In 2005 Toronto permanently made
motorcycle parking free wherever there is legal street parking. We
have since learned that many other North American cities have adopted similar
policies.
Since the practice of "touch parking" is so common in New York City, we would like to see separate parking areas reserved just for motorcycles and scooters, both on-street and in municipal lots. Those areas could be barricaded to prevent cars and trucks from knocking over motorcycles, which frequently causes thousands of dollars in mechanical and cosmetic damage. Aside of the obvious direct benefits to the owners of motorcycles, this could eventually result in decreased insurance premiums as well.
In London, motorcycles are permitted to use most striped-off areas of the roadways as motorcycle and scooter parking. This is an outstanding way to give motorcycles safe areas to park without putting them at risk of motorists "parking by feel". We believe NYC should adopt this policy.
The city needs to regulate the rights of private parking garage owners to refuse access to motorcycles. Motorcyclists who seek secure off-street parking regardless of cost are often faced with a frustrating search for a garage that accepts motorcycles.
Motorcycles must be factored into any current and future congestion pricing and traffic management plans. This city has a history of adopting European models, which not only consider motorcycles but prioritize them, and stripping from those plans any evidence of the word "motorcycle" before implementing those plans here.
New York has long ignored the ecological, economic and practical advantages of motorcycles and scooters, and abused the rights of their owners. Now is the time for change.
PARKING TIP SHEETS
An NYMSTF exclusive!!! Handy tip sheets to help motorcyclists park with confidence, safety and convenience in and around New York City.
Motorcycle Parking in New York City
