Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Richmond District Sidewalks Are For ...

That's a good question. I always thought they were for walking, but when I left for work at about 6 am this morning, I discovered otherwise ...


And bicycle parking is for ... ???? This is what I discovered outside the US Post Office on Geary at 21st Avenue when I returned at about 3:30 pm. The bicyclist came up behind me just as I was getting my camera out. Perfect timing ...

3 comments:

Joe M said...

Sue, sometimes it's a bit of a Hobson's choice for motorcycles. Park on the sidewalk and risk a ticket, or park between parked cars and get knocked over 50% of the time. I'll take my chances with the DPT when faced with that choice, as a spill often means hundreds in repairs with no insurance policy to go after.

This particular owner was probably oblivious to the bike rack. That's a matter of education. If I do park on a sidewalk, it's as a last resort, and I'm always conscientious about it: I try to put it between trees and out of the path of pedestrians. In the Richmond, there's seldom a conflict, since many sidewalks are 12' wide or more...often with little foot traffic. But in other neighborhoods it's a different story.

Sue said...

Hi Joe,

Motorcycles being parked on sidewalks means motorcycles being driven on sidewalks which is dangerous for pedestrians, especially people who might be emerging from houses or garages and unaware that motorized vehicles are zooming down the pavement. I have frequently seen people driving motorcycles up and down sidewalks, but not once have I seen someone walking a motorcycle on a sidewalk.

Solution to the problem of motorcycle parking? Motorcyclists have the same battle that bicyclists have: the battle for space now dedicated to cars that could otherwise be used for safe bicycle lanes, safe motorcycle parking, or even bicycle parking. (Why aren't any of the parking spots at Ocean Beach set aside for bicycle parking?)

And it is a battle -- but if motorcycles are a part of the solution to global warming and the looming energy crisis (we're at the beginning of it now), then it's a worthy battle.

Sue

mcas said...

Or, you can do the legal thing. Via: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/pgar/motorcyclepk.htm

You can request new motorcycle stalls or meters by writing to:

Jack Lucero Fleck
City Traffic Engineer
Municipal Transportation Agency
1 South Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor
San Francisco CA 94103

Please indicate the problem, the area in question, and how many spaces may be needed. Establishing motorcycle parking requires approval through a public hearing process, and may include Board of Superivsors review. Requests for motorcycle parking in front of residential buildings should have the prior approval of fronting property owners.

=====

At least 2-4 of these clusters of legal motorcycle parking are approved at every DPT hearing I attend. It really doesn't seem like that much trouble to protect you $6,000+ investment, and protect your neighbors who are walking on the sidewalk.