Local stuff that matters to you.

Did you know about Roger Creager — playing at Billy Bob's Texas tomorrow?

News & events for

Thursday, December

39° F
Partly cloudy in DFW

Happy Holidays!

Multimedia:

Marketplace:

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Dallas motorbikers publish online petition calling for more designated parking

by PegNews wire

Dallas motorcyclist Raine Devries thinks there's not enough designated parking for motorcycles in Big D, so she's created a petition to present to the city council requesting additional spaces.

The article couches this thing in terms of more people switching to motorcycles to alleviate high gas prices - though without citing specific supporting references. I wonder whether this is true?

Here's the petition, in any case.

posted by JM

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

Pavel Lishin, says:

Why can't motorcycles park in regular parking spots again? Hell, they could cram like three cycles in one spot.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Brett Hoerner, says:

I wouldn't want to switch to a motorcycle right when the little people driving big Hummers are wondering whether they still want to live in a world with $4 gas.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Scott Doyle, says:

Pavel, it's not that they can't park there - apparently people try moving the motorcycle to cram their SUV in, and various things of that nature.

Park your bike towards the rear of the spot so people can see the tail end of it before whipping in, imo. Too many times I've seen someone pulling into what they think is an empty spot and almost hitting a bike that's nudged between two trucks, SUV's, etc.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Mike Orren, says:

As a sometimes scooter-driver, my .02:

I always feel like a jerk taking a full parking space in a crowded lot with such a small vehicle, but the alternative is getting unsafely crammed in by bigger cars joining in your space. If you don't literally park diagonally in the space, it will happen.
There are lots of places to park a motorbike that are technically illegal but less invasive. Easily fixed.
I got a >$100 ticket for parking in such a space at Snider Plaza. Ridiculous.
I don't like the militant tone of the language in the petition, but the idea of more cycle/scooter parking is right on. Hell, just subdivide a couple existing spaces. Better use than those dammned always-empty "reserved for expectant mother" spots at the grocery.
Anecdotally speaking, motorcycle use is way up. Used to only be 2-3 in our office building. Now there are easily 8-10...

Staff

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Pavel Lishin, says:

I'm pretty sure if I came out and saw my motorcycle moved to make way for someone's SUV, I'd be leaving with their valve pins in my pocket, to be sprinkled down the highway like little retard seeds.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Kay, says:

I'd love to see every one of those areas too small for an auto be converted to 'cycles' only parking. That should cost no one anything but a bucket of paint...and can be done quickly. (Street parking and store parking areas)

The petition does sound a bit "heavy handed" but if I was still riding a bike to work I probably would sign it too.

Anonymous

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Pavel Lishin, says:

Someone should go out and do some rogue repainting.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Clay213, says:

I've never figured out how I got away with it, but I chained my bike up to a pole on the sidewalk in the Back Bay of Boston for over a year and never got a ticket.

Maybe they just never figured out where to put the ticket with the cover on it.

Anonymous

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

John Meyer, says:

Correction directly from one of the story principals:

Turns out Raine is a lady, not a guy, and for this conclusion-jumping I apologize to her publicly for assuming "she" was a "he."

Furthermore, Raine forwards a link to <a href="http://dallasmotorcycleparking.blogspot.com/">this blog</a> keeping track of media coverage on the petition.

Raine, now that I've humbled myself, feel free to mention the PegNews blurb on your informational blog. (If you feel so inclined.)

Staff

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

twisteddog, says:

I promise to quit kicking over and keying motorbikes if they promise to quit parking on the sidewalk.

Anonymous

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Pavel Lishin, says:

I don't know anyone who owns a motorcycle who wouldn't break both your arms for doing something like that.

Verified

1 year, 6 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Raine Devries, says:

As of Thursday morning (just a week since launching the petition) we are at 601 signatures! We have had feedback from City Hall so we must continue to secure as many signatures as possible!

John: I am happy to plug Pegasus on the blog!

Mike Orren: The "militant" tone of the petition is actually derived from the petitions used in San Jose and Calgary.

Twisted: Actually, most bikers park on sidewalks because there is no where safe to park the bikes elsewhere. 2 strong guys could lift my Harley into a pickup and be gone - just imagine how much easier it is with a lighter sportbike or scooter!