Author Topic: I hate DC  (Read 7081 times)

Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #20 on: April 14, 2013, 06:15:43 PM »
You admit you were clearly parked illegally, got a tickrt and brcause of that the city sucks?
There's lots of other reasons it sucks but that ain't one of em.

I Didn't admit parking illegally...and if it's illegle to park 2 bikes in one space, in a private parking lot, then it should be posted as such....
in these trying times, anyone that does something to be efficient, and offer those others an amenable answer to concientious use of parking spaces (non paying parking spaces at that...) should not be treated in such a manner.... The bitch part of it was there were 5 cars parked in the lot, and all of them were parked stradlling the lines...my pal and i pulled into an end spot and paired up within the lines... :banghead: :nuts:
can I escort you back to the troll-hole?(arena) ::) :hitfan:

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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #21 on: April 15, 2013, 04:28:15 AM »
Down boy, down! ;)
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Offline Cholla

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #22 on: April 15, 2013, 05:30:01 AM »
MOB, you were so fast to call me a troll you played the victim.
I never said you did anything.
The OP said he admitted to illegally parking.
Time for you to go to, as you call it, the troll hole?
Why did I know you would reply to my post negatively even though it had nothingto do with you?
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Offline Scaffolder

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #23 on: April 15, 2013, 07:40:18 AM »
Boston has put in some motorcycle/scooter meters. At $0.25 per hour I use them when I am in the area. I can put in $2.25 at 7:00 am and be covered for 9 hours. It is a great concept for me and I hope it grows to other areas.
Joel from Maine.

Offline Caffeinated

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #24 on: April 15, 2013, 08:28:47 AM »
Few years back when our office was located at 15th and L, I used to park in the bike spots at McPherson Square. No meters, but a sign that said 4-hour parking  :o
Parked there from 7-4 for three years with not issues, then one day everyone got a ticket...few months later another ticket. I was able to move into the garage in my building for a monthly fee, but I noticed others still parked in the spots all day. They eventually added a meter for the spots. Whats the point of bike spots if they can't be used all day! DC sucks and is not bike friendly, even though a large number of Gov't workers commute on bikes and can park in Gov't garages for free!

BTW...I never paid the tickets, and never got any notices.....DC is a bureaucratic mess!
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Offline Strawboss

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #25 on: April 15, 2013, 11:06:03 AM »
Here in Cleveland, if you ride a cruiser type bike, you can park anywhere you want, sidewalk, in front of the door, or a fire hydrant, handicap spaces, 2,3,4,6 to a spot, diagonally across lines of the spaces taking up two spots with one bike, blocking other vehicles, blocking sidwalks, in the vestibule. These are things I've actually witnessed, no citations. COOL! But wait, theres more. I can't do it. Refer to above description of bike, not make, bike. Anyhow back to DC, I went in winter, easier to find a parking space I guess.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #26 on: April 15, 2013, 11:17:35 AM »
The OP went in to DC, parked illegally, got a parking ticket, and now the city sucks.

Apparently he works in DC, knows the rules, has been doing this for a while, and just got caught.  The city and parking sucked before this, but not for your reason.  Maybe you just haven’t learned how to deal with it yet.  Parking on the street is regulated by the DC government.  They only have enough street parking for maybe 10% of the employee population to park within the downtown area, so there are also may garages and lots.  It doesn’t improve too much as you get away from downtown, but it becomes unmetered.  If it has a meter, it is regulated by the city (although a subcontractor may collect the fee), if you park illegally they will ticket you or the contractor will call for city enforcement to come to give you a ticket (because they aren’t getting your money, and they’re pissed).  When you park in a garage (except for a very few) you are on private property and should not get a ticket, but can be towed away for not following the rules (construed as trespassing).  If they don’t provide motorcycle specific spaces, then you will take up a full space and be charged the same rate (if you owned the garage, you’d do the same unless you had motorcycle spaces).

Is DC motorcycle friendly – no way.  Could they improve, and maybe make more money by letting bikes park together to save space – sure.  The latest thing for DC public parking is paying by the parking app on your phone.  Imagine if they put motorcycle “squares” here and there, where 5 bikes could park in the same space as a one car.  Until then, you should park legally, or you will run the risk of being either ticked or towed.

Do I go into DC – sure, but I don’t need a space for all day most of the time.  I usually prefer the bike first, because you can always find a space within a few blocks that is free or metered.  If I go all day, I’ll do my second preferred method which is to park at a metro lot (either with car or bike) and take the metro in.  Some station parking is free, sometimes you can find parking on the street outside the station for free (if you don’t mind the walk).

DC sucks for many reasons, parking is just a very minor one.  Should we start with their officials?

In case you’re wondering, I work for local government.  I work in the Planning Office of Prince William County VA, and always try to push and encourage motorcycle related items no matter what type of project it is.
“I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe.” - George Washington

Offline Cholla

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #27 on: April 15, 2013, 12:33:04 PM »
Uh-oh...he just said the same thing I said....look out! ;D
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #28 on: April 15, 2013, 12:40:54 PM »
I saw that.  What did I say?
“I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe.” - George Washington

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #29 on: April 15, 2013, 01:23:52 PM »
I'm sorry.  No one is supposed to agree with Cholla on anything without prior written approval in triplicate, 1 year in advance.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #30 on: April 15, 2013, 02:03:19 PM »
I see what you mean.  It would seem I inadvertantly agreed with his statement pretty exact didn't I.  Maybe mine's different because I elaborated so maybe it's just a strong similarity?  Nevermind.

I will say for the Int'l motorcycle show (in DC) I parked right out front on the sidewalk of the convention center 100' from the door.  No ticket, no nothin' when I came back out.  Of course there was about 100 other bikes on the sidewalk.  There were no signs saying to park there, everyone just did.  Parking enforcement missed out on those two days, unless they were told not to enforce it.  I don't like doing that though, too much of a risk from a gung-ho officer.  That was maybe $10,000 in fines just sitting there waiting.  Gee, I sound like my dad.  Thanks.
“I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe.” - George Washington

Offline Strawboss

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #31 on: April 15, 2013, 02:13:04 PM »
Oh, I don't know about that, I've agreed with him on a few occasions with no prior dispensation and I never got in trouble. ;D
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Offline Cholla

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #32 on: April 15, 2013, 04:46:57 PM »
I'll let ya agree this time but next time.....
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Offline gPink

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Re: I hate DC
« Reply #33 on: April 15, 2013, 05:07:43 PM »
 :rotflmao: