SF Bike parking

I'm heading to the city for a few days on the Wing, and we will be spending
some time at the usual tourist traps and some other places.
I have seen bikes parked on the sidewalks there. Is that acceptable? Do
bikes get slack parking in strange places, or get cited for not staying
between the lines?

 

Bikes have become a prime target for meter maids since the fines for
parking violations have gone WAY up.
Sidewalk parking is now 100.00 a whack if I remember. The last time they
announced giant increase I got the feeling that bikes were definitely a
preferred victim for the City to pick on.
So...feel free to use a legal space, take the WHOLE spot or find a spot
that clearly is not in an enforceable area.
Most parking garages will accomodate a bike for a reduced fee or at the
least will allow you to park in a prefeered area near the entrance.
Parking in between or at the end of a space isn't a guarantee that some
slob in a Humvee won't tip it over and leave the scene (it's only a
motorcycle..) so make sure you give yourself some space wherever you put it.
There are some MC only spaces, like in the Haight Ashbury and downtown,
but make sure you feed the meters before you leave.
Oh, my favorites are the 'leftover' spots that are in between driveways,
where no car can fit, and there is no red paint. It seems like there are
enough of those around to make do, in most areas.
Fisherman's wharf on the other hand is a place where every inch is
accounted for. Bastards.
All the lame talk about encouraging "alternative" transportation
solutions, and the reality is that they f*ck with scooters, bicycles and
motorcycles more than anything.
It really shows that plain fact, the supervisors don't ride, and neither
does the mayor. So if you ask me, they suck.
Here is an association trying to make a difference:
http://www.sfmsc.org/
But enjoy yourself just the same, in many ways this city is the
motorcycle utopia of the western world.
See Marin roads for mucho fun and some great places to hang out.
Getting here and getting out of here is the best part anyway. See:
http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm
for some ideas.
or http://moto-rama.com


Jim Stinnett
VTR1000
YZF R1
R1100RS
http://moto-rama.com

 

Thank you. I am heading out in an hour.

 

It's not acceptable, I was the recipient of a 100$ ticket few weeks ago
for parking on the sidewalk (under my appartment) in SF.
The bike was actually covered and the bitch took the cover off and
stuffed the ticket on the seat.

 

I had a good time. Sat I found a metered spot with 5 bikes in it and left my
bike there most of the day. Sunday i parked behind a bollard on the back end
of Tarrantino's where the crab stands are, and spent the day riding the
boats to Alcatraz, Angel's Island, Sausalito, etc, no problems, no tickets.
I rode on sidewalks, went the wrong way down one-way streets, rattled
windows with my railroad airhorns, did wheelies in Chinatown, and even
crossed 101 in north San Mateo on a footbridge with spiral ramps. The city
is like a playground.
Thanks for the info.

 

There you go!!!
I told you it was a party out here in the fog...now where is the dam road>?
Jim Stinnett
VTR1000R1100Rs
YZF R1
http://moto-rama.com