[Carfreeliving] enforcement (was: Muni tokens)

[Bert Hill]

At the risk of losing my anti-car credential, I'll mention two situations
that may call for some flexibility:

1) My wife recently had surgery, and was confined to a wheelchair. At
various times I had difficulty finding places to pick her up and load the
wheelchair. I was forced to violate my own rules on double parking and
sidewalk blocking as I went inside in to get her.

2) We had a Ford Th!nk electric car for a short period (before Ford $#*&^
recalled it). I didn't really think about it when I got it, but soon
realized that I couldn't park it safely on the street while it was charging
at night. It did fit in the driveway and didn't obstruct the sidewalk at
all, but I was technically in violation for parking in the driveway. Still,
it bothered me.

I realize that 95% of sidewalk and double parking violaters are
inconsiderate jerks, but I also suspect some may have thought the same of
me; so now I at least hesitate for a second to consider if there is a
justification....then call DPT.

In the vein of a discussion on sidewalk parking, a neighbor tells me that it
is technically illegal to park my bicycle on the sidewalk.  Mike, is that
true?

Bert


  _____  

From: Carfreeliving-bounces at livablecity.org
[mailto:Carfreeliving-bounces at livablecity.org] On Behalf Of Mike Sallaberry
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 1:43 PM
To: Carfreeliving at livablecity.org
Subject: [Carfreeliving] enforcement (was: Muni tokens)



Well, you have only so much peanut butter to spread, and a lot of bread to
cover.  If we make a big campaign to focus on bus stop parking violations,
we lose resources in other areas, like enforcing sidewalk parking,
preventing double parking on bus routes or in bike lanes, etc etc. 

For instance, the person who lives on Hayes St near Divisadero who has made
it their personal quest to call in and have every motorcycle parked on the
15' wide sidewalk ticketed is taking resources away from what I think are
bigger problems.  And yes, I was one of those people to get a $100
ticket...thanks so much.  Prior to that, someone (the same person?) was kind
enough to put a U-lock around my front wheel, undoubtedly seen as an
appropriate punishment befitting such a heinous crime, at least from their
righteous point of view. 

Yes, I know that motorcycles can leak oil and are hot right after operation,
but what if they don't and are covered and are not in the actual sidewalk
space people walk?  Is it really worth calling in? 

Thanks.  I don't care if you agree with what I said...I needed that.  :) 
Mike

ps  Does anyone else think it's fair that 3' wide, 400lb motorcycles are
ticketed the same amount as 3000 lb cars that block the entire sidewalk and
damage the concrete?  I don't mind parking on the street, but I do mind my
bike getting knocked over by one of the many inept motor vehicle operators,
most probably recently transplanted from a suburb where parallel parking
means pulling your weekday car in next to your weekend car in the double
wide home garage. 

pps Don't worry Suzahna...I know it wasn't you that called in! 

> ...
> Why doesn't DPT (aka MTA)  start enforcing bus stop parking 
> violations? Who would the lobby be that would fight that? 
> Politically, I don't get it.
> 
> suzahna
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