INC NEWS - proposed motorcycle parking fees in budget

[Mike - Hotmail]

In 2005 I took the Motorcycle Safety Classes at Durham Tech and bought a quite 750 Nighthawk.

While the gas mileage benefit has cut my consumption to a third of what it used to be,  I've got to admit,  riding it around town (INC meetings) and sometimes back and forth to Raleigh has been a phenomenal thrill!

But it's not something that a lot of people will chose to do.

However,  creating incentives that will not greatly impact others is a great idea.   

Making small 'adjustments' for motorcycles and non motorized bicycles along with mopeds definitely might make it easier for those that do drive to find parking spaces in a tight downtown where those of us who use these alternative modes of transportation might not need as much space (or nearly as many).

Besides bike racks, it might be worth looking into corrals and/or individual niches where a typical car wouldn't fit but these could!

As an occasional 'biker',  I see it as an option that encourages others to find ways to get there and eventually park along with enjoying the ride in between.

mike


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Colin Crossman 
  To: RW Pickle 
  Cc: inc-list at durhaminc.org 
  Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 3:54 PM
  Subject: Re: INC NEWS - proposed motorcycle parking fees in budget


  Randy, this is a GREAT proposal.  Making the city more motorcycle friendly will dramatically improve not only our parking situation and air quality, but it should also increase biker safety.  if the city wanted to be truly progressive, any rational parking job by a biker should be allowed - it would be a good incentive to get more people biking. Duke used to allow essentially unrestricted motorcycle parking (as long as the parking wasn't a hazard), and it was free.  They have since restricted it some, but it's still generally unrestricted and still free. And you see more motorcycles there now than ever. 

  -Colin
  Walltown
  (Still waiting for my bike to be fixed...)



  On 6/4/07, RW Pickle <randy at 27beverly.com > wrote:
    No idea how many folks on this list ride motorcycles, but listed in the 
    budget press release, the Manager said he wanted it changed parking
    downtown (in garages) to $30/month. So if you're like most people, you
    don't even know if that's an increase or a decrease of what is now 
    charged. It's a decrease (by $15 over what is currently charged; it's
    currently the same fee as cars/trucks). And the Manager should be
    applauded for his vision to make our City an easier place in which to 
    breathe!

    But why not make it a better deal for those who would use less fuel,
    create less air pollution, and take up less space. Surely 2 bikes can fit
    in one space, maybe even 4 if you divide up the parking spaces better. I'd 
    like to use the (now unused) triangle lined spaces at the end of most
    on-street-parking. But if you park there, you'll always get a ticket. So
    you see motorcycles taking up one whole space even though it is
    unnecessary. Recently, I parked near City Hall (in an area with 5 spaces)
    in order to go to a meeting there. When I returned, another motorcycle had
    taken another space. There were only 5 spaces there to start with and 40% 
    were filled with motorcycles. That wasted a great deal of space that was
    sorely needed near City Hall. But because of the aggressive ticketing for
    anyone who would try to do something better and more thoughtful, valuable 
    parking spaces were almost empty with the presence of just one motorcycle
    in each of them.

    So how many people will this "new-cheaper-fee" help? As sad as it is, only
    about 5 (according to Parking Services) currently pay for monthly parking 
    of motorcycles in their monitored garages. But it might just be the
    beginning of something that could become a big deal. As we all look to cut
    our rate of fuel consumption (tell me we all think about this...), more 
    and more people are riding motorcycles, bicycles, and walking. And doing
    anything to encourage less fuel use and better air quality by reducing
    parking fees has to be a move in the right direction. Even DOT recognizes 
    the benefits of two-wheeled transportation and allows motorcycles to use
    the HOV lanes in the larger traffic congested cities

    So why not make it $20 a month for motorcycle parking in the garages. Even
    free would be great! Reward those who would save gas and help to clean up 
    our air. Everyone is not lucky enough to get a free parking spot under
    City Hall. We have to start somewhere. Why not make it cheaper to park so
    more will ride two wheels than the customary four... It just makes good 
    cents.

    RWP
    27 Beverly

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  -- 
  Colin R. Crossman, Esq.
  Exit First Choice Realty
  crc128 at gmail.com
  919-452-3333 
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