Toronto’s pilot project aimed towards improving motorcycle parking is now underway, with 21 of 30 motorcycle parking sites set up as of last week.
Last month, we gave you some of the details of Toronto’s new parking program; in an effort to stop motorcycles and scooters from illegally parking (the horror!), they’ve set aside space in selected parking lots to shoehorn motorcycles in. Bikes can park in these spots for free, at least for now.
The city plans to install 300 motorcycle-only parking spots in around 30 locations; as of last week, most of the locations were set up. Their timing is off, as with winter around the corner, these spots will certainly be under-utilized for the next six months; they plan on studying the results of this project for a year, with results to be determined next fall.
If you’re wondering why Toronto is doing this, look no farther than the city’s pay-and-display parking machines. When Toronto got rid of the old coin meters in favour of the new system, motorcyclists pointed out it didn’t work for them – any passerby could steal their ticket, or it could blow away in the wind.
Since then, motorcycles and scooters have been parking for free, much to the consternation of some city councillors. Scooters, in particular, have been singled out for parking on the sidewalks, and this new project is the city’s way of trying to re-establish control over the situation. We’re just guessing, but it wouldn’t surprise us if they’re also working on a way to start charging for motorcycle parking again.
Want an idea of what Toronto motorcyclists are up against in the parking department? Check out this thread on GTA Motorcycles …
According to this
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-61471.pdf
Looks like they want us to pay for our motorcycle parking.
For me, it’s been easier to get a parking spot since they implemented these new zones. No need to squeeze in between cars, so it leads to more room for motorcycles, overall. At least for now until people realize these signs aren’t enforced!
The best thing that could happen is constant usage of all the spots. If motorcyclists can reach a critical mass, maybe governments will take our needs into consideration more often. And maybe the city will reap the benefits of two wheel transport, and make free spaces available throughout the city.
Here is the message that I received from the city, when I sent a request for information regarding this ‘pilot programme.’
“Hi Rob,
Thank you for your comments.
During this pilot project, the designated motorcycle parking areas are, as you’ve stated, ‘just a suggestion’ as to where we would prefer motorcycles to park. We have not introduced by-law changes and therefore non-compliance with the signage is not enforceable at this time, except for the current parking regulations for pay and display parking. Over the next year we will be monitoring the use of these designated areas and report back to Council on the success of the pilot. Depending on the outcome of the pilot, there may be a need to propose by-law changes but we will decide that at a later date.
We have a website (www.toronto.ca/motorcycleparking) with the proposed locations, most of them should be implemented by mid October.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
Renata Moraes, M.Eng., P. Eng.
Transportation Engineer, Operational Planning and Policy
City of Toronto,
Transportation Services Division
City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.,
M5H 2N2
22nd Floor, E. Tower
Tel: (416) 392-6039
Fax: (416) 392-4808”
what a waste. I agree the current system works fine. This is only the lead up to a ticketless payment system they want to bring in. Scooter parking on sidewalks dropped off huge when they enforced the rules and most learned to just park on the street like everyone else. It was just a matter of education.
This is a colossal waste of time and money. Exactly, winter is almost here and those spots will be empty until next spring. The existing system works fine. What is need is Motorcycle only lanes on the Gardiner, Don Valley and all 400 series highways. Traffic is gridlock most of the time, give more incentives for people to ride and reduce traffic congestion.