Ethics-free Parking?

Not too rain on the reactionary parade here, but the vehicle was actually a Honda CRV - not really an SUV. It's built on a car platform and really more of an awkwardly high-up station wagon.

That said, I'm a cyclist and am consistently angered and frightened by the commuting motorists speeds as they all funnel towards Grand Army Plaza.

Speed bumps, more lights won't do it. I don't understand why they local precincts can't position a couple of traffic cops on 8th ave once a week to ticket the 50mph drivers and bring this area under a little control.

My best hopes for the victim of the accident and his family.

Posted by: jebensch at February 3, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Developing: Pedestrian Struck at 8th and Carroll

Nope - no potential inconvenience. I'd concede that point if the double parking were such that the drivers left their cars and disappeared, but seeing as how the entire block is dp'd with drivers all sitting there ready to put their cars back, no one is getting boxed in.

So if you were looking for parking and found a car pulling out of its spot, so you stop past the space and put your blinker on and wait for it to open up, then when it does another car zips around the corner and pulls into the space...that's cool?

Well, I guess I'll keep playing the game.

Still, I'm never going to chase ambulances on the Belt!

Posted by: jebensch at September 25, 2008 7:46 AM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

I had no idea that my text implied both my income AND my biking habits.
Ask for parking advice, get a class war.

The way it generally works on my block is that the cops ticket right before the street cleaner but not after.The double parkers all wait in their cars for the street cleaner to pass. A sanitation dept. worker precedes the cleaner and puts the neon stickers on the cars that haven't moved, then they head up the street with the cleaner right behind. Everyone double parked moves right back to where they were. The whole process usually about 20 minutes or so.

Posted by: jebensch at September 23, 2008 11:51 AM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

I'm talking about the empty side of the street that is temporarily so, in order for the cleaner to come through, and then cars directly behind the cleaner jumping into the empty spaces as the double-parkers are starting their engines to move back.

I know there's no dibs. I know there's no ownership of a street space. But I also know that neighbors here are generally considerate of one another when it comes to city-living that requires some interdependence. I consider it ruthless because it involves a large group of people trusting one another to make something work and it does, until one person essentially cuts the line and gives the finger.

Buttermilk - what can I say. I'm a bike commuter. I don't use plastic bags. I buy local. But I also have two dogs and if I ever want to visit my parents or out-of-town friends, I need a car. It's an economical 4 cylinder.

Posted by: jebensch at September 23, 2008 10:01 AM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

If there were plenty of parking spaces, I might agree with your point.

But as there are fewer parking spaces than vehicles, I don't see how anyone can claim dibs on any of them. Street parking is first come, first serve. It is not a seniority system.

If you want your own space, pay for it. Find a place with a driveway, or use a garage.

Otherwise, realize that street spaces are public property, and that they are there to be used by whomever comes across them first.

Posted by: ceolaf at September 23, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

I love the idea of the person who's breaking the law by double-parking complaining about other people's ethics.

Posted by: geekspice at September 23, 2008 4:13 PM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

My husband has been known to follow a racing ambulance on the Belt just to get the open highway move. See ya suckas!

I don't condone that stunt but parking is a sport and OP has to learn that fact.

Posted by: pattunia at September 24, 2008 3:12 AM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

Yeah, it's kind of ruthless, but, come on, are you surprised? you live in nyc, not mayberry.

Posted by: dtrain at September 24, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

Glad to see you have scruples. I advise next time you be behind the street cleaner to get that spot ! Good luck.

Posted by: BklynPEZ at September 24, 2008 2:14 PM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

Double-parking is illegal and potentially problematic, even when it's customary.

The OP's argument depends on extending this custom ad absurdum.

If you want to live on the wild side and possibly piss off a neighbor by double-parking for street cleaning, that's fine. I do understand this custom. I do it on my own street.

But to whine that someone has come along and parked their car while yours is still double parked? As if your (illegal, potentially inconveniencing) double-parked status somehow earns you a spot on the other side of the street?

Get the fuck out!

Posted by: vanburenproud at September 24, 2008 9:45 PM in response to Ethics-free Parking?

Nope - no potential inconvenience. I'd concede that point if the double parking were such that the drivers left their cars and disappeared, but seeing as how the entire block is dp'd with drivers all sitting there ready to put their cars back, no one is getting boxed in.

So if you were looking for parking and found a car pulling out of its spot, so you stop past the space and put your blinker on and wait for it to open up, then when it does another car zips around the corner and pulls into the space...that's cool?

Well, I guess I'll keep playing the game.

Still, I'm never going to chase ambulances on the Belt!

Posted by: jebensch at September 25, 2008 7:46 AM in response to Ethics-free Parking?