GTA News

[Uwe W.]

No, not that GTA (for those that know what I'm talking about).

Here's a heads up for Toronto riders: you will be able to legally use the HOV lanes this summer. See the News item in today's Home Page.

[mrspock]

"... (for those that know what I'm talking about) ...


Being the center of the universe as we are EVERYONE knows what your tawkin about :) Ya its about time too , only three years or so late but then , we all know that here in the peoples republic of ontario , studies and studies need to be done before brain activity is permitted .


spock

[Malks]

So the City of Toronto finally got around to allowing motorcycles in the HOV lanes. I wonder how much longer until the Province follows suit and allows us in the lanes on the highways. I mean the highway lanes only need two people in a car and that is hardly high occupancy!

The thing I am waiting for is designated parking for bikes in the Green P lots. There is nowhere near my office where I can park on the street before 9AM, so I have to park in one of those pay-and-display lots operated by the Parking Authority. Since I cannot leave the receipt on the bike, I get those annoying envelopes left on the bike accusing me of not paying.:mad: It would be so much easier if they just did the same thing as at the street meters and let bikes park for free in areas of the lot that a car could not park, like in the corners.

[mrspock]

Malks , I may be wrong , and please correct me is I am indeed wrong , but , I was under the impression that motorcycles were allowed to park FREE anywhere a car was allowed to park legally . This , as I seem to recall , included parking lots and street parking . Is my information correct ?



spock

[Malks]

You would be wrong on that one. Bikes are required to pay in Green P parking lots, which are operated by the Parking Authority. The only free parking for bikes is on the street at the pay-and-display meters and then only during the time periods allowed.

While the same pay-and-display meters are in operation in the Green P lots, the free parking does not apply within the lot. If you do not display a receipt, you get an envelope in which you must put your receipt and then deposit in a drop box located next to the ticket dispenser in the lot. If you did not have a receipt, you must put money in the envelope and put it in the drop-box. If you do nothing, a parking fine is issued which would come due when you renew your plate sticker.

An associate of mine is the guy in charge at Green P and I chewed him out about this stupid game with the envelopes and suggested that the corner spots be reserved for bikes to park in for free. I suggested that these spaces were useless for cars anyway, so why not allow a bike to park there for free just like on the street. That got nowhere so now I do not use the Green P lot, but park at the subway lot (free) and ride one stop down to the office, (not nearly as convenient).

It would be really nice if the rules changed and I could park in the Green P lot across the street from my office!

[Uwe W.]

Malks said: I wonder how much longer until the Province follows suit and allows us in the lanes on the highways. I mean the highway lanes only need two people in a car and that is hardly high occupancy!

That was always my issue. A solo rider on a machine that has a pillion position represents a 50% occupancy. A sedan that can seat five and only has a driver and one passenger is only at 40% occupancy.

Despite the lenient criteria for cars, I'm always surprised at how few are in the HOV lane. It's really quite incredible how many vehicles on the road are driven solo; it'll be interesting to see what effect increasing gas prices will have on that phenomenon.


I may be wrong , and please correct me is I am indeed wrong , but , I was under the impression that motorcycles were allowed to park FREE anywhere a car was allowed to park legally . This , as I seem to recall , included parking lots and street parking . Is my information correct ?

To add to Malk's comments on your question, the city was also looking into legalizing sidewalk parking for scooters, but the reality of that situation is that scooters are rarely ticketed for being on a sidewalk as it is. I know of one case where a person has been parking their scooter on the sidewalk where they work, daily for the past five years, and has yet to get a ticket.

[TimP]

I parked my VTR on a sidewalk, once, to donate blood, of all things, and got a ticket.

Re.: Grand Theft Auto: We win one (HOV lanes) and they win one (Green P's). The battle is not yet over...