Auckland University bike parks

[Tickler]

How easy is it to pull the right turn?

Easy: just lean right haha, jokes
I just wait for a gap, then go for it, the traffic is pretty peaky (lots then nothing) on symonds st.

Ive thought about going the long way around the block, but that sounds like a cheap way out.

[xwhatsit]

Easy: just lean right haha, jokes
I just wait for a gap, then go for it, the traffic is pretty peaky (lots then nothing) on symonds st.

Ive thought about going the long way around the block, but that sounds like a cheap way out.

Yep. I did it a couple of times before all of these changes, and because of the lights on either side of you, there are often long gaps in traffic. Not too hard, and usually stuff like that scares me a bit.

[superhans]

Hi all, first time poster here. I've searched and this seems to be the right thread to post in (apologies if it's not)...

Has anyone had any success challenging a parking fine?

The story:
Today I got ticketed up at Grafton campus for parking on the yellow lines, all of about 1m outside a legitimate park (and next to a couple of other bikes) . It was at the end of a row of parallel parks (first on your right if you turn left into Park Ave from Park Rd if heading towards Grafton bridge). If the diagram below turns out, I parked roughly by the asterisk

_|___|___|*/

I was in no way blocking any park, driveway, footpath - just slotting into a small, Ninja-shaped spot of otherwise wasted space next to a carpark. The Grafton campus is undergoing construction, so the normal carpark is out of action resulting in about 6 motorbike parks for the entire campus, which always have about 15 scooters squeezed in. In future I'm going to park in the City campus bike parks and walk up as there's no way I can afford even the slight chance of being ticketed for this ridiculous over-zealous, nonsensical crap. The fine takes up a significant chunk of my weekly meagre student income so you can understand why I'm annoyed at this.

So has anyone ever got a parking fine revoked after writing a polite, well-worded letter challenging this ridiculous enforcement? Any tips or advice?

[maggot]

Hi all, first time poster here. I've searched and this seems to be the right thread to post in (apologies if it's not)...

Has anyone had any success challenging a parking fine?

The story:
Today I got ticketed up at Grafton campus for parking on the yellow lines, all of about 1m outside a legitimate park (and next to a couple of other bikes) . It was at the end of a row of parallel parks (first on your right if you turn left into Park Ave from Park Rd if heading towards Grafton bridge). If the diagram below turns out, I parked roughly by the asterisk

_|___|___|*/

I was in no way blocking any park, driveway, footpath - just slotting into a small, Ninja-shaped spot of otherwise wasted space next to a carpark. The Grafton campus is undergoing construction, so the normal carpark is out of action resulting in about 6 motorbike parks for the entire campus, which always have about 15 scooters squeezed in. In future I'm going to park in the City campus bike parks and walk up as there's no way I can afford even the slight chance of being ticketed for this ridiculous over-zealous, nonsensical crap. The fine takes up a significant chunk of my weekly meagre student income so you can understand why I'm annoyed at this.

So has anyone ever got a parking fine revoked after writing a polite, well-worded letter challenging this ridiculous enforcement? Any tips or advice?

Firstly, welcome to KB, one hell of a thread dredge, good effort!
Realistically, it sounds like you're in the wrong. BUT, having said that, there's no point not contesting it. Take some photos, write a well written letter, attach photos, make reference to your parking problems, feign ignorance, the whole lot. If you're lucky and can back your position up with photo evidence or what not, you've got a shot at getting off I reckon. Don't be too optimistic though, they are called parking nazis for a reason.

Best of luck, let us know how you get on.

[maggot]

Actually, reckon you could street view it? Might help people understand what you're describing
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=Park...,26.4,,0,30.16

[superhans]

Actually, reckon you could street view it? Might help people understand what you're describing
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=Park...,26.4,,0,30.16

Cheers maggot, yep that's the spot! Just behind the dark-coloured Accord on the right.

I've only been riding for a few months so I'm pretty new to this. When I can't find a bike park, I try to park next to other bikes as I assume it's sweet to park a metre over the line, or on the footpath (out of the way, of course) - I'm obviously wrong to think that parking wardens would use discretion and not be c**ts, it's just a shame I have an expensive learning experience. I mean a warning would have been nice.

I'll write a letter with some photos and try the poor student/ignorant newbie/'my stupid uni is renovating and there are no bike parks at Grafton' lines (all of which are true btw).

I can't remember which thread I read it in, but I like the idea of the mass protest of many bikes all (legitimately) parking in car park slots to protest the pathetic lack of parking facilities for those of us in our space-saving, fuel-saving, emissions-saving, road-maintenance-saving, less-lethal-to-pedestrians bikes, but I guess I'm preaching to the converted here

So does this mean I'd have been ticketed for not having a pay-and-display ticket displayed if I had parked a metre over, on the white lines? Are bikes expected to pay the same parking fees as cars, even though we're 1/5 the size?!?

[maggot]

Cheers maggot, yep that's the spot! Just behind the dark-coloured Accord on the right.

...

So does this mean I'd have been ticketed for not having a pay-and-display ticket displayed if I had parked a metre over, on the white lines? Are bikes expected to pay the same parking fees as cars, even though we're 1/5 the size?!?

I'm not 100% sure of pay-display rules for bikes on the street. I've parked in them before without paying and not been ticketed, don't know if that's down to blind luck or me being in the right though. Just general rules though, don't park on double yellows, don't park on footpaths, don't park in loading bays, cos they can and will ticket you for it. If you can, get into a legit spot.
Quick google unearths this http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ar...p/t-72665.html
Give it a read re pay and display.
Just be glad we're not in welly, if you've been following the motorcycle parking squeeze out going on down there..

[shanks]

The story:
Today I got ticketed up at Grafton campus for parking on the yellow lines, all of about 1m outside a legitimate park (and next to a couple of other bikes) . It was at the end of a row of parallel parks (first on your right if you turn left into Park Ave from Park Rd if heading towards Grafton bridge). If the diagram below turns out, I parked roughly by the asterisk

_|___|___|*/

Wow thats harsh! I always see bikes parked there and they arent on yellow anyway. Actually I just bought my bike yesterday and was thinking of parking there in future. But having reading this, having second thoughts on that now.

Do you know anything about the bikes that are parked in that huge carpark just next to the Midas workshop?