Free Motorcycle Parking in the Big Apple

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., an avid Harley-Davidson rider, is motpushing for legislation that would make motorcycle parking free throughout the five boroughs.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.

The Councilman, flanked by state Assemblyman Michael DenDekker and fellow riders, said the biggest issue facing bikers are muni-meters.  “There is no way for a motorcycle rider to affix a muni-meter (receipt) to their bike in a way that it won’t blow away and it won’t be stolen,”

DenDekker, a fellow motorcyclist, said after 34 years of riding he received his first $65 parking fine last week, due to what he sees as a faulty system.  “There’s no place on my motorcycle that I can attach this little piece of paper.”

DenDekker said making parking free for some 38,000 motorcyclists in New York City would put the brakes on the problem while being an environmentally sound move.  He said motorcycles generate less pollution, need little space and use minimal gas.

“The bicyclists get miles of bike lanes,” he said. “We pay $42.50 in registration fees and pay our taxes, too. We make our contribution and we’re not getting anything back. We just want a level of equality.”

A spokesman for the city Department of Transportation recommended motorcycle riders use clear plastic holders to attach parking meter receipts, as specified on the agency’s website, but did not elaborate.







Finally, while we don't condone intentionally breaking the law, I thought you may find this video interesting.  Conditions vary from city to city, and I concede NYC is more extreme than most locations.