Parking Ticket! (Questions for ya)

[Jamez]

Hey guys and gals,

I live in Boston, MA. I have a 125 CC scooter that requires a license plate. Well, I park on the sidewalk because parking on the street makes no sense at all when it's beyond limited enough for cars alone as it is. I got a ticket yesterday! For the first time EVER for parking on the sidewalk.

This infuriates me and is so senseless because: A scooter of the exact same physical size as mine can park on the sidewalk without being ticketed if it is 50cc (not requiring a license plate).

My question,

Can I just take my license plate off the rear and store it inside the under seat storage? (1) No one can tell the difference. (2) Is it legal to keep your license plate inside your vehicle as opposed to on the rear?

Thanks guys

Safe riding

[BettinANDlosing]

I would not remove the license plate due to risk of them just towing the bike. It is indeed a shame that scooters, saving congestion, parking, gas etc etc get picked on like this. Different in my state because every bike needs plates.

[mrbios]

B&L is right.  Don't take the plate off and risk a tow.  The real question is peace of mind.  I almost never park on the sidewalk anywhere.  Years ago I had a motorcycle towed because I parked at the bike rack on the sidewalk outside the library.  I fought it and even met with the fire martial.  He said it was not a fire code violation and since no signs were posted and that was the only grounds for the ticket I appealed it successfully and got a refund check about 6 months later. 

While I'm glad I won it isn't worth the hassle to me especially when there are lots of places to park in between cars.  Also, for a while I parked outside the food court of my local Costco and some motorcycles joined me.  Most workers didn't care but after a little push back I stopped.

Also, a few years ago I parked in a triangle between two spots at a local hospital and got a $75 ticket!  I was so mad at that.  It reminded me it's not worth my health.  Park and walk a few extra feet.

You could invest a little time saying to the city of Boston how about offering more motorcycle parking - in San Diego they chop a street car space in to 5 spots AND there is no meter to feed.  Nice reward for using two wheels to get around.

[blue]

Ya play it safe. leave the plate on.WE are lucky here we have places for motor cycles and scooter to park.
we also have a lot more going in. there marked scooter parking. there are some hard places to find,But wear you can park a 10 speed bike they don't mind us putting are scoots there. just keep your scoot out of the path wear people walk.

[Jamez]

Thanks for the tips

[ScooterWolf]

Don't remove your plate! It's not worth having your scooter towed, and having to pay to get it back.

In Philly you will get towed if you removed your plate. This is something they've just started after aggressively ticketing Scoots and MCs for parking on sidewalks and at bike racks. To make up for it the city has a new program where scooter and motorcycle corrals are provided. I'm in the process of making a digital diagramed survey and taking photographs of each site as they are far from equal. Some have dedicated chain poles, some don't, some have clearly painted lines marking the parking area, others don't. You can pay $5.00 at a kiosk, get a printed receipt, and park at the corral all day, or move to any corral and do the same as long as the receipt is displayed. The other option is to pay $250.00 for a virtual permit, allowing you to park at any corral all day for one year. I'm waiting for my next paycheck to get mine.

I personally would like to see sidewalk parking return, but at .68 cents a day it's a good deal.

-Wolf

[mrbios]

... I'm in the process of making a digital diagramed survey and taking photographs of each site as they are far from equal. 

SW, thanks for that informative post.  Too often I hear complaints by two wheelers - bicycles, mc's, scooters - things change when law makers hear from the community with constructive suggestions and feedback.  Thanks for making a difference.  That virtual decal sounds nice and the flexibility of purchasing a parking decal and being able to move to other parking spots.

[NeoGenesisMax]

Just follow the law. Its not hard.

[Chris0381]

In CT no MV's of any kind are allowed on the sidewalks. Im really confused they allow 49CC'S that privilege where you live.

[ScooterWolf]

2 wheel parking laws are different in nearly every state, as well as cities and towns. Despite being around for decades governments have a hard time dealing with what to do with motorcycles and scooters. The difference between the US, Europe and the rest of the world is also cultural. There are less 2 wheel vehicles used by the average person in the States/North America vs. the World. That means the 2 wheel vehicle has been less integrated into society resulting in a maze of regulations, codes and laws.

It's hard to fight city hall. I once went to traffic court to fight a ticket for parking on the sidewalk when the city, not so much allowed it, but turned a blind eye to it. When I asked why I got a ticket when 99% of the time the parking officers walked by without a second look, I was told I was given a courtesy by them. When I asked 'how is the enforcement of the law a courtesy? That if they don't enforce it they set up a precedent and imply that it is legal to do so?' Their answer was essentially tough sh**, pay up.

It's hard to fight city hall.

-Wolf

PS -- If anyone wants to follow my progress look up Fair Parking for Scooters and MCs in Philadelphia on Facebook.