8 replies to this topic

[mat]

As we now need to commute daily from Gordon Head to Downtown (2 of us), the question came up about another car, or using public transit, or other options. For public transit, from where we live, it would take 4 buses and around 1 hour each way, plus the cost. Another car (gas at 1.33.9 and going UP) is out, and a pedal bike not suitable with a kid, bags etc.

So we opted for a motorbike, at the same time as everyone else in the CRD apparently. After 3 weeks of looking, where every advertised used bike was snatched within 10 minutes, we now have a decent 500cc that will carry the kid and even some shopping.

The reason for this thread is parking - every motorbike/scooter takes one whole parking space, where (Holland and Japan have examples) part of downtown streets should be configured to park 2 wheelers, and take less space.

Judging by what I hear from insurance agents and bike sellers, there will be a flood of commuting 2 wheelers on the road shortly (not just spring time activations, a whole slew of new riders) - which is a good thing. The infrastructure to park these seems to have been ignored.

With gas so high, have you seen more bikes on the road - should Victoria arrange more adequate parking?

[VicHockeyFan]

Funny enough, I've decided to buy a bike too this summer, somewhere in the 500-900cc range. Gotta be a sport/race bike for me.



And I was a little surprised to see that I'll have to pay $5000 for a 6-9 year old bike. But then again, I haven't owned a bike since about 1995, so what do I know.

But I'm not sure if special parking for them should be more widely available publicly. I've already arranged to park my bike underground and way more secure than my own building parking for less than I'd normally have to pay under my own building. I think you'll find if you want a spot run by private operators, there is lots available.

[G-Man]

motorcycles and mopeds can use the special green meters for smaller vehicles (smart cars)

[Ms. B. Havin]

There was a letter to the editor about this last month:

Bylaws unfair to motorcycles
Times Colonist
Published: Monday, May 05, 2008

On April 11, I was ticketed for parking my small motorcycle (under 400 cc) on a boulevard at the 1000 block of Cook Street near Meares Street. I have paid the ticket in full.

My intention was to reduce the environmental and urban impact through the use of small vehicles and intelligent parking.

There was ample street parking of sufficient duration (free for one hour). However, since it was the busy noon rush-hour, it seemed irresponsible of me to occupy an entire automobile space with my diminutive vehicle. To do so would force larger vehicles to search for parking, thus wasting fuel and creating further traffic congestion.

Moreover, in this case my wife and I chose to ride double on the motorcycle so that we would not further pollute the environment (we get 60 miles per gallon).

The $30 ticket ($60 if not paid within 14 days) cost more than our lunch and was the equivalent of 10 per cent of our annual insurance.

The same $30 could have fueled our motorcycle for over 700 kilometres.

In our view the bylaws have not been sufficiently updated to meet the current economic and environmental impact. For example, only one motorcycle or scooter is permitted to occupy one metered parking space.

I urge the city to reconsider its policy and procedure in regards to motorcycle and scooter parking and adopt a more flexible approach.

Aaron Twa

Oak Bay

[VicHockeyFan]

I noticed today that Scooter Underground has left its space under the car dealer on Cook St.

Online only now.

[Holden West]

^Seems like bad timing with Spring here and gas prices on the rise. Business must be bad.

[Bingo]

Motorcycle Funeral Hearse



http://www.foreverfree.biz/Motorcycle-Funeral-Hearse.html

[sebberry]

I used to say I'd never be caught dead on a motorcycle, now I can't be so sure.

[Phil McAvity]

^Have you ever ridden one sebberry? Motorbikes are the most fun you can have in life that doesn't involve your penis.

VHF, did anything come of your plan years ago to buy a crotch rocket?

Mat, in the 80's and 90's the city used to have free motorbike parking downtown but they stopped that but you can still park for free under the Bay Centre (if you've still got your bike!). The parking attendant told me to simply ride around the barrier and park around the corner where the bicycles park and when you go to leave you simply do the same thing out the entrance. I've done it a couple of times and it's free. For your purposes it sounds like a maxi-scooter, like what i've got, would have been perfect. Lots of power for the freeway and enough storage to fit 4 or 5 bags of groceries.