From: dmatejka@netcom.com (Daniel Matejka)
Subject: Parking _anywhere_
Date: Mon, 07 Sep 92 21:46:59 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Distribution: ba

  I've been handed grief by the Parking Patrol, and I was inspired to
complain by that thread on sidewalk parking.  I'm looking for some
thoughtful suggestions, an answer or two, and my blood pressure to
drop about twenty points.  So I'm excitable.  Anyway...
  Some BART stations have covered parking garages full of security
cameras, manned by presumably benign employees.  All BART stations
have motorcycle parking areas out back where the bird droppings fester
in the midday sun.  The El Cerrito BART station has a dismal little
island where a few lonely bikes huddle forlornly outside in the
company of pigeons and elements.  You wouldn't know it without a
three hour tour.
  There are some sweet spots in the BART garage in question where no
cage could possibly fit, but there's room for a bike and a picnic
blanket, if you don't mind the jealous stares of harried commuters
who can't find a spot to save their lives.  A Truly Considerate Biker
(tm) would probably leave his/her/whatever ride in one of these spots,
if they hadn't yet handed him a $25 parking ticket.
  Yeah, I know.  What was I doing leaving the ride at BART and
cattle-car-ing it to work...I'll defend myself against that one if I
have to, but...where was I...
  Now why was I supposed to know they were so easily offended,
and what gives them the right to bill me $25 for doing so?
I'm thinking about parking my bike right in the middle of a cage
spot and hanging a big sign on it apologizing for my unbelievable
rudeness, but it costs me to be considerate.  Anticipating the day
when they give me a ticket for that as well, does anyone know if
(a) BART land is private or public, and (b) there are any handy
ordinances prohibiting discrimination against parking any roadworthy
vehicle in a public area designated for parking?  After all, it
appears the only place to park a bike in the City is right in the
middle of a car spot.  Is that still true even if there are
designated motorcycle spots within two blocks?  A mile?  Five?  Is it
OK to park in a whole BART car spot if I have a sidecar?  How about
an inflatable one?  Can anyone lend me a couple of hundred junkers
I can leave all over that garage?
  And what's this with the ticket: "notice to appear?"  A parking
"offense" requires COURT TIME?  WHAT???!  If they catch me eating a
Snickers, do I have to explain to a judge that I'd already had
dinner?!?  There are two checkboxes on the top that say "traffic" and
"nontraffic," with an offensive little "x" in the "traffic" box. What
sort of bizarre traffic offense is going on my driving record if I
just suck up and "pay bail," as they so considerately term it?
  This hasn't helped my blood pressure at all.
  Well, before my court date comes, I'd like to write some letters
explaining that it is actually cheaper, more convenient _and_ more
fun to just ride all the way to work, and the heavy-handed policies
of their Parking Goons have lost them my business at least until
I've made back the price of the ticket, which will cost them
a lot more than the price of the ticket.  Does anyone have
the name and address of the Bart Commissioner('s secretary?)  His
boss?  Some of the investors?
  Hmm.  Still hasn't done me any good.
  oh yes, I'm
  DoD 675.
  Howdy.
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles