New York Scootering Highlighted on WNYC

WNYC interviews an employee who has taken up scootering in NYC. I have been to New York several times and had thought that it was probably a very dangerous place to ride. But after hopping on the back of some scooters while I was there, I realized that it can actually be a fun, effective way to get around.

Taiwan Video: Go parking, baby...go parking on the sidewalk

In Taiwan there are so many scooters that it would be impossible to have them park in the streets, so sidewalk parking is totally acceptable. Matter of fact, many sidewalks have designated areas pained on the sidewalk where scooters should park. Because of this, scooters often drive up on the sidewalks in the dips where we would expect wheelchairs and strollers to com up. Consequently, when in Taiwan, do not stand in the center of that dip. You might get run over as I almost did in one of my videos. :)

A few years back, the scooterists of New York City had some issues with paring on the sidewalk, so I dedicate this video to them.

College Creating More Scooter Parking Due to Demand

The University of Maryland's Department of Transportation will be creating more scooter parking spaces due to high demand according to an article in the student newspaper, The Diamondback. Scooters are an affordable way for students to get around, and their small parking footprint makes them ideal for overcrowded school parking lots.

More Scooter parking: A Good Thing

If you have been following Scoot! and this blog for some time you know that I am passionate about designated scooter parking. We launched our own successful campaign in San Jose, CA where we are based. I have blogged about other cities that are also challenged with scoooter/motorcycle parking. The campaign for scooter parking continues.

Here is a story about how Philadelphia is adding parking for two-wheeled vehicles to stop parking on sidewalks. I am against parking on sidewalks for the most part. It can be dangerous for the disabled and can foster bad feelings among the people that walk on the sidewalk. But, if there was adequate parking for motos, them people wouldn't park on the sidewalk. Moreover, if motos aren't competing with cars, then automobile drivers won't be annoyed by car spaces with one moto in them. I have seen scooters that were moved to accommodate a car-- much to the surprise of the scooter's owner!

Finally, if you have some success share it with Scoot! by dropping me an email. I'd love to inspire others. And if you don't get some help let me kow, too. Perhaps we can all work together for a common goal.
Other cities such as Portland, Seattle, Sarasota and Sydney have undergone moto parking makeovers. Interested in creating more scooter-friendly parking in your city? Try these suggestions:

• Organize: meet other scooterists and get an action group together. Research the amoutn of two-wheel riders in the area. Survey the area at different times and note how many scooters/motorcyces are parked. You must demonstrate a need if the city ia going to pay attention to your cause. Don't forget about motorcyclists. They want parking, too!
• Petition: create a petition that clearly outlines your request(s) and get people to sign it. Make sure that the names are legible and that there is a way to contact each person if needed.
• Facilitate: Odten cities feel that they cannot take away parking from cars, so do some legwork yourself. Specify exactly where you want parking and also identify spaces that can be converted to moto parking without taking away car spots. Examples can be spaces between driveways, ends of blocks where the space between a car spt and the crosswalk may accommodate a scooter or two. Take photos and provide them to the city.
• Be Polite: Yelling and threatening only aggravates others. You'll get more with sugar than vinegar as the saying goes.
• Give Credit: Make sure to give thanks and credit to those in government who are helpful. A bureaucrat's job can be a thankless one, so give them some credit when they are helpful. They will appreciate it!

Parking Alert: Motorists moving scooters

I've hard of it happening in the past, but it looks like it is a real problem in Seattle: car drivers moving scooters so that they can take their parking spot. Read the post from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's blog. (!grrrr!). It happened to my boyfriend years ago with his custom muraled Lambretta. The person who moved it scratched the headset.

Documenting these incidences is a great way to demonstrate to your elected officials the need for designated motorcycle parking.


Has this happened to you?

Ride to Work Day 2008!

I rode today to the train station so that I could make the 46-mile trip to my office. So, I didn't scoot the whole way, but that would have taken me about an hour & 50 minutes one way. Coincidentally, there was a problem with the train tracks which backed up all of the trains, thus my train trip took 2 HOURS! I shoulda ridden the whole way!


Self portrait while riding to train station....


Sneaky parking spot at train station. Cars gotta pay $2 per day, but I get to park for free. Mwah-hah-hah-ha!



Well, some cars try to be sneaky, too. This person had a parking permit. I would have been mad if they took up my whole scooter space, but I still got mine. :)

My commute to the train is pretty easy. I got a PacSafe helmet bag and store my gloves and jacket under the seat and I'm ready to go!

Did you Ride to Work today? If so, send leave a comment or send me a pic.

More Scooter Parking in Sarasota, FL

The Bradenton Herald recently posted an article about the city of Sarasota, Florida adding 21 new motorcycle parking spots to their downtown. Florida is a mecca for scooters due to the warm weather and the lack of a helmet law, so it seems natural that they would incorporate two-wheeled vehicle parking into their plans. The city was smart about it and placed the spots in "dead zones" that are too small for cars to park in.

If you are yearning for more motorcycle parking in your area, check out the article I wrote in our August issue (#41) about how my home town (San Jose) and other US cities have gone about getting more motorcycle parking. You can check out San Jose's updated parking map to see what progress we made.

Motorscooters a "new menace"

Australia's Yahoo!Xtra is carrying a story about how Australian drivers consider motorscooter drivers to be a "new menace" on city streets. Australian insurance company AAMI reports that scooters have sold 20% higher this year than last and motorcycle sales have increased 36%. That likely means lots of new riders. According to the news story:

"The research also showed 78 per cent of NSW car drivers in the survey said they had seen motorcyclists breaking the law and taking unnecessary risks on the roads."

and we can guess where most of the problems occur:

"Quoting figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, AAMI said almost half of the 120,827 scooters and motorcycles registered in NSW last year are located in Sydney."

I'm inclined to believe the reports. I've been to some scooter rallies where newbie riders and their inability to keep a straight line, nonexistent turn signals and general lack of etiquette have almost ruined my rally experience.

We all know that in a car vs. scooter altercation, the scooter always comes out worse. So, how can Sydney work to create a more amicable balance between scooter riders and cars? Since I have never been to Australia, let alone ridden there I can speak definitively, but it is likely due to education. In the US, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's "Scooter School" is a good start. It is only offered in a few locations and doesn't qualify for insurance discounts, but it makes a difference in getting scooter riders in road-worthy shape.

Another point that I think helps in traffic is (and I know I'll hear arguments about this) allowing lane splitting. I think lane splitting enables motorcycles and scooters that ability to improve traffic flow by allowing them to get through traffic quicker. That being said, I only lane split when traffic is at a stop or 5mph or less. I think it is too dangerous at higher speeds, and it can actually cause problems for car drivers who get surprised by a motorcycle zooming past them. But, when done right, lane splitting can lets riders take advantage of space between cars that is not used and allows them to bypass traffic. I have no idea what Australia's rules are on lane splitting, but if it is allowed, and cars/scooter drivers are given education about how it works then traffic and compliance could improve.

What do you think?

Sydney getting on board-Pt. 2

Maybe you saw my past post about the city of Sydney, Australia investigating better motorcycle/scooter parking. I decided to send an email to the Lord Mayor Clover Moore about how I have the same concerns for my city. I made some suggestions on how to improve parking and suggested that she look at cities like San Francisco for inspiration.

Today I received the following response from the Mayor's office:

"Hi April,
The Lord Mayor has asked me to respond on her behalf to your email about scooter parking. My apologies if I am too late for the recent edition of your magazine.

There has been very rapid growth in motorcycle ownership in Sydney, particularly ownership of scooters in the inner suburbs. However, motorcycle and scooter riders have relatively little parking available to them, because the operation of ticket parking schemes and resident parking permits (for parking on the street) are not well suited to motorbikes. Some regulations, which are controlled by the New South Wales government, are also anachronistic. (eg, only one vehicle - including motorcycles - in a marked parking bay)

To address the problem, the City has commissioned a consultant to develop a detailed strategy to improve conditions for motoryclists and scooter riders. The strategy will address the problems facing motorbike riders, and examine some possible solutions, including changes to the way permits and parking tickets are issued. There will also be some investigation into ways to improve safety for motorcyclists.

I understand this policy will be considered by Council in its draft form, then exhibited for public comment and feedback, probably late this year. We will be looking at lots of international examples of better ways to do things, including the problem of more secure parking for easily stolen scooters. There are a few design options, and we want one that is user friendly without having too much of an impact on the look of the streetscape. Maybe something like low bronze tethering racks parallel to the kerb, or pull-up rings in the pavement.

If I can help with something specific, please let me know.

Regards,
Anthony Mifsud, Research Officer
Office of the Lord Mayor
City of Sydney"

Well, I was impressed with the fairly quick response and I am glad to see that it seems to be a priority for the city. I will be responding to Mr. Mifsud later this week with some examples and names of DOT contacts who may help. Look to the August issue of Scoot! for a feature story on scooter parking.

Is your city doing anything specific about scooter/motorcycle parking? Let me know.

Sydney getting on board

I happened upon an article about Sydney, Australia's push to make the city more scooter friendly to reduce congestion and improve the environment. The movement is part of an overall transportation strategy that is also encouraging walking, public transport and bicycling as alternatives to using cars.

As I've said in the past, pro-scooter planning should be a part of responsible city planning. In my city, we're working to address more scooter parking in congested areas. I am currently working on an article for the August issue of which discusses what has been done in cities such as San Jose and Portland, OR. I've sent and email to the Mayor of Sydney to offer some suggestions and to request an email interview. We'll see what comes of it.
Read the Daily Telegraph's article.