Thank you Biker GOD! (a.k.a. Illegal Parking Tickets)

[Flyingpony]

My heart moved into my throat when suddenly beside me stood a true blue Chch parking warden ... third time luck I suppose. This was the third illegal parking I'd done down town in a under 1/2 hr. First time I exceeded the 5min parking zone, 2nd time parked in a very large but empty taxi bay and third time parking with bicycles. In all cases I was within 5m of the bike and in plain sight of it.

He gave me a 30 second speech :Police: which basically told me that there is free bike parking around town and parking on the foot path attracts an instant $40 fine.

... my mouth went dry ... I was BUSTED! :nono:

But since he hadn't unhooked his ticket writing machine I thought there's a slim chance I'll be lucky ... :not:

Then he smiled and said but today's your lucky day ... I'm not as mean as the other parking wardens and since I :ride: a !!BIKE!! too, I understand ... just don't do it again!

Yes sir :yes:, thanks for the heads up!

So BIG THANKS to that parking warden. Sorry I couldn't catch your name off your badge since I couldn't see it and we got interrupted by some tourists asking directions to the post office before I could ask! And I most definitely wasn't going to hang around and wait for him to change his mind :shit:

So there it is. The official WORD.

We're NOT allowed to park on the foot path, even if we are not obstructing in any manner (I was parked between the N-Shape tie bars with the bicycles which easily could've held two bicycles or me)

[sunhuntin]

i only ever use the footpath in one part of town, and thats cos theres never any parks, im less than 5 mins in the shop, and theres major roadworks all around as well. never been ticketed yet, but its a block up from where most of em wardens hangaround.

did see one older bike leaning on a tree surround about a year ago. cos he didnt have a kickstand. warden came along, looked at me admiring and said she could give him a ticket, but understood why he was there and kept walking.

your lucky day i think!!

[Steam]

We're NOT allowed to park on the foot path, even if we are not obstructing in any manner

It's up to the individual city or district councils what the actual rules are. Sucks to be in Chch then!

Here in Wellington you used to be allowed to park on the footpath out of the way, but they have been putting warning notices on bikes recently, so perhaps that is ending.

[GR81]

just do what i do... proudly park in a full car park. the big f-you to those who dont supply bike parks! haha

[kev4eva]

just do what i do... proudly park in a full car park. the big f-you to those who dont supply bike parks! haha


U mean we are suppose to park in full car park??? i park in full car park all the time coz there are'nt many bike parks here in dunedin..:scooter:

[Ixion]

I always park on the footpath (or similar). have done for 40 years. Never had a ticket yet, though I've no doubt it's strictly speaking illegal.

But then, I did get a ticket years ago ,in Newmarket, for not parking parallel to the curb. On a motorbike! An irate Ixion stormed the offices of the Chief Snake and ranted enough for the ticket to be cancelled.

BTW - one trick to remember. Around the central city quite often footpath isn't. What I mean is, quite often the bit of "footpath" up against the walls of buildings isnt legally footpath. It's actually private property , the property of the building. Cos large old buildings often had bits of building sticking out, buttresses, dormer windows, stairways etc . And the building had to be sited so that the most prominent "sticking out" bit was still not actually encroaching on the footpath. Which means that the "sticking in" bits between the "sticking out" bits are not legally footpath. And parking wardens can't do you for parking there. I had a big argument with the Auckland City Council about this a few years ago and won. That was actually parking a cage! They are more useful on bikes. Look for those little 'bays" or recesses and park with impunity.

[imdying]

Car parks are part of the road, I buy petrol, and therefore pay road tax, I'll park in a carpark if it pleases me.

[imdying]

Cos large old buildings often had bits of building sticking out, buttresses, dormer windows, stairways etc . And the building had to be sited so that the most prominent "sticking out" bit was still not actually encroaching on the footpath. Which means that the "sticking in" bits between the "sticking out" bits are not legally footpath. And parking wardens can't do you for parking there. I had a big argument with the Auckland City Council about this a few years ago and won. That was actually parking a cage! They are more useful on bikes. Look for those little 'bays" or recesses and park with impunity.

The only time I've ever been nicked for parking on the footpath in Christchurch was when I was well wedged up against a building with the large dormers you describe (this piece of road is between central and the courthouse). Cost me $8 iirc... I got on with my life.

[hXc]

I use their own rules against them when getting told to move off the footpath.

Technically, a footpath is a public road, as it has no gates to stop motorists from using it. Therefore, as long as you are not impeding the flow of traffic (be it foot or otherwise), you are doing nothing illegal when parking on it.

Shuts the little Nazi parking bitches up.

[Jimmy B]

I
BTW - one trick to remember. Around the central city quite often footpath isn't. What I mean is, quite often the bit of "footpath" up against the walls of buildings isnt legally footpath. It's actually private property , the property of the building. Cos large old buildings often had bits of building sticking out, buttresses, dormer windows, stairways etc . And the building had to be sited so that the most prominent "sticking out" bit was still not actually encroaching on the footpath. Which means that the "sticking in" bits between the "sticking out" bits are not legally footpath. And parking wardens can't do you for parking there. I had a big argument with the Auckland City Council about this a few years ago and won. That was actually parking a cage! They are more useful on bikes. Look for those little 'bays" or recesses and park with impunity.

Perzwackely,

Several living examples of this fine practice around where I work in the CBD, If the conciege doesnt have a problem then no worries (and they dont seem to), Motor cycle couriers use this technique to good effect as well.

[Swoop]

just do what i do... proudly park in a full car park. the big f-you to those who dont supply bike parks! haha
Damn right!!!

I was backing the VFR into an angle park, a while back, and some woman in her 4x4 road-whale decides she would prefer to park there instead... VFR was happily parked right in the centre of the parking space when she realised I was actually going to park there!:gob: Said lady had an expression like I had just shat in her handbag, then drove off.

If ever I need a quick pick-me-up, I just remember back to her expression and having to find somewhere else to park... that does the trick every time!!!:Punk:

[hXc]

Witty story about cage driverHad something similar happen late last year. Had to go to the dairy after an exam and the park in front of it was empty...

I was going the other way but there was nobody coming so I used the skills of a light bike and u-turned into the park (parallel parking). I'm taking the helmet off and putting the gloves inside as some guy in a Ford Falcon double parks next to the van behind me, flicks his indicator on and signals for me to move up in the park.

I shake my head, wave my hand and go into the dairy and another couple of shops. I'm coming back to the bike, to see this Falcon parked a couple of parks back and someone with a pissed-off-look on his face walking towards me.

He says, "Oi, I was only asking you to move up in the park mate. You're on a bike ffs, plenty of room."
I said, "Is that so? Well it's arsehole cage drivers like you who'd just drive into the bike. Legally, I don't have to move up, so I don't. Have a nice day." And I proceeded to walk off.
He stops me and says, "If you're going to be cheeky about it then don't come into my shop then."
"What one's your shop?"
"The dairy."
"Ok then. I'll make a point to tell my mates too. Wanker."

He was not a very happy chappy.

[Indiana_Jones]

u'd have to be a cunt of a warden to give a ticket for parking ur bike on the footpath

-Indy

[Steam]

u'd have to be a cunt of a warden to give a ticket for parking ur bike on the footpath


"Cunt" is part of the job description Indy, why else would they do a job which just pissed people off all day? They'd have to be some kind of sado-masichist to be one I reckon, getting abused all day, you have to be a nut to put up with that.

[sunhuntin]

while i was in invers for the burt-fest, i stayed with a friend who worked in windsor. on that street [with the new world] there were 4 tightly wedged together bike parks. i always parked in the end one and still took up two. pissed me off no end to see a car parked in there. and as it was right next to a driveway, no way could park in front without being hit by something.
ended up parking outside the shop my friend works in, and while straightening up, had a few cages wave for me to come out. slight shake of the head and back to my work. lol.

if some fuckers gonna take my park, im gonna take theirs. simple.

EDIT: watched a parking warden the other day writing a ticket here in town; got the kid [as he turned out to be] for being over the time limit, and also no rego or warrent. lmfao. sat there cackling. lololololol

[iwilde]

Saw a warden putting a ticket on a late model Ducati for some reason, I says "having a good day?" he says "yes thanks!" and I reply "what a fucking shame wanker!"

[Drum]

If that warden really was a biker he wouldn't have given you a speech, so he's just a try hard wannabe.

Parking wardens are generally high school dropouts and losers. No need to get all dry mouth and nervous.

[RT527]

I use their own rules against them when getting told to move off the footpath.

Technically, a footpath is a public road, as it has no gates to stop motorists from using it. Therefore, as long as you are not impeding the flow of traffic (be it foot or otherwise), you are doing nothing illegal when parking on it.

Shuts the little Nazi parking bitches up.

As i understand that rule a public road must consist of a row that is at least 1.5 mtrs wide anything under that and it isnt a public road.

[hXc]

As i understand that rule a public road must consist of a row that is at least 1.5 mtrs wide anything under that and it isnt a public road.If I park on the footpath, it is in town. Footpaths in towns are more like 3-4 metres wide, so no problems there.

[RT527]

If I park on the footpath, it is in town. Footpaths in towns are more like 3-4 metres wide, so no problems there.

Ok forget what i just said but read this www.ltsa.govt.nz/legislation/road.html

[hXc]

Ok forget what i just said but read this www.ltsa.govt.nz/legislation/road.html (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/legislation/road.html)


Roads were classed as footpaths, bridleways or bridle paths, or carriageways, depending on the type of use permitted.A footpath was limited to pedestrians only, with animals added if it was a bridleway, and wheeled vehicles only allowed on a carriageway. The basic right that could be exercised on a road was that of travelling from one place to another. Obstructing or interfering with someone else's rights to the use of the road was a criminal offence.Not like the parking wardens will be able to quote that, nor know it even exists. I haven't had a problem with them so far, I'll keep saying what I say and keep parking on the footpath.

[pyrocam]

in auckland central I park on footpaths regularly as long as it doesnt obstuct foot traffic etc etc.

my first cold kiwi I ride down to hamilton, have a breakky at 7:30ish and park right up against the window of a netcafe so I can look up directions for the way down. 5 mins of looking at wises and a warden starts ticketing me. I run outside


'IM FROM AUCKLAND' I blurt out and then quickly recognize my mistake (shit)

basically he says 'its the law in New Zealand no matter where you are that your not allowed to park on the footpath'

yadda yadda yadda

"Ok well there is NO reason why I should let you off this ticket but im going to"
his words. its just down to the cop you get. you can get ticketed nz wide if you get the wrong warden/cop on the wrong day.

[Lias]

My pet peeve is cages parking in bike parks, be they specifically motorbike parks or bicycle parks.

At my local stuipdmarket right by the enterance is a bike park. Its not labeled as such, but its a non standard size (wider than normal, and not enough depth to park a car in) and of course has one of those big metal holder thniges for pushbikes. It doesnt take a rocket scientists to know its not for cars.

On several occasions Its been occupied by cages.

On several occasions those cage drivers have come back to find extensive redecoration of their vehicles courtesy of my keys! One guy even had a letter sitting on his front passenger seat with his name and home address on it.. I had to resist the temptation to turn up on his doorstep and do bad things.

[hXc]

My pet peeve is cages parking in bike parks, be they specifically motorbike parks or bicycle parks.
That's when you get ya mates and you box the car in. Not only no way to get out of the park, but make sure there is no way for the occupants of said car to get in.

[Flyingpony]

On several occasions those cage drivers have come back to find extensive redecoration of their vehicles courtesy of my keys! One guy even had a letter sitting on his front passenger seat with his name and home address on it.. I had to resist the temptation to turn up on his doorstep and do bad things.

Let me just give you a warning.

Putting your key to a car you don't own is very dangerous, and illegal. If the owner spotted you, I'm sure they'll attempt to bash you pedantic head in, and the Police will not only arrest you for will-full damage but possibly save your life from the car owner harming you ...

Do you have any idea how expensive it is to fix panels that have a key taken to them? It'll be a minimum of $200 per door and it grows from there for bonnets, etc.

My advice would be the carry FYI notes and slip them under the wipers or even better, start up your own wheel clamping business and earn some cash off those who park in the wrong place.

[Ixion]

You've never met Mr Lias , have you? I'm not sure if his moniker was inspired by pterry, but if not it is one of those delightful coincidences where real life mimic fiction.

[R1madness]

Well when i opened my shop i applied for a motorcycle park outside it. Got a letter back saying "no thanks, there is plenty of parking for the area."
Ok i think thats good.
Day 1
The hair dresser next door complains to the council that there are bikes parked in the "car" park outside the group of shops restricting the parking for her customers.
Day 2.
Parking wardens arrive to tell me to move any bikes off the street but they are all warrented and rego ok so i say no. They leave, hair dresser comes out looking smug saying that will teach you.
Day 3
I spend all day blocking out both parks with one bike in each and swap them from one park to another every 20 mins. Tell her hope she likes it.
Day 4
I offer to make sure one park is left free of bikes at all times if she stops ringing the council.
Day 5
The council arrives again. Now i am pissed off. Heated discussions follow.
Day 6
I get the council out to look at options. We come up with the parking in the space between the footpath and the building as an option for displaying bikes outside. I agree to maintain the 1 bike free park option as best i can.

Day 7 until now 9 months later
Uneasy truce between hairdersser and us. things ok but then someone ( a customer) parks on the footpath and all hell brakes loose. Council rung. Tickets threatened. Tempers flair.

Today
Meeting with council and agreement reached over the addition of 1 signed and marked motorcycle park. No bikes to be parked on footpath except in the space between shop frontage and footpath.

Funny thats what i wrote to the council and asked for 8 months ago.

Moral of the story is do not allow yourself to be pushed around. Fight if you have something to fight for.

[Lias]

If the owner spotted you, I'm sure they'll attempt to bash you pedantic head in.

Do you have any idea how expensive it is to fix panels that have a key taken to them? It'll be a minimum of $200 per door and it grows from there for bonnets, etc.

My advice would be the carry FYI notes and slip them under the wipers or even better, start up your own wheel clamping business and earn some cash off those who park in the wrong place.
I know panelwork isnt cheap, but to be honest I consider the keying a "cheap" objective lesson. I've been known to slice all 4 tyre sidewalls on cars before (slice the side rather than stab, that way there is no way in hell they can get them repaired)

Yes i'm well aware its illegal, but as the prosecutor tells the magistrate "The defendant has appeared before your honour". Parking in the wrong carpark is illegal too in most places, but the police hardly turn up with sirens blazing for parking offences, and I doubt they'd be very much faster for someones paintwork getting a bit scratched.

And as the astute old fella points out I'm built somewhat like my namesake.. Who happens to be a troll :-P In the greater scheme of things I'm far more likely to be the basher than the bashed.

[Steam]

This guy sounds like you Lias...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42056

My missus called me earlier today about a car vs bike altercation in the St Lukes carpark today.

Apparently some old guy (70's) somehow knocked over a guys bike in the carpark. Some bystanders helped him pick the bike up. The old guy left all his details on the bike for insurance etc and making his aplogies etc.

Guy that owns the bike returns, reads the note. Then turns pulls out a sharp object and slashed the old guys tyres then rides off.

I know I would be pissed off if my bike got knocked over, but to slash his tyres even though he had left all his insurance details for you. Most people in this day and age would have driven off and left it on the ground!

[Lias]

This guy sounds like you Lias...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42056

I'm not always a nice person, but I'm not THAT much of a bastard.

[eviltwin]

i approached a parking warden about a year ago and asked if they ticketed bikers for parking on footpaths.
he said the council (auckland) considers it safer for bikes to park on footpaths as opposed to between cars on the side of the road as too many bikes get damaged by cagers backing into them.
and as long as you don't obstruct the main foot traffic you're sweet!