Community College MC Parking

[Endy]

My community college has some really nice motorcycle only parking where it's actually a poured pad instead of asphalt. Usually some of the closest spots to the building. Sometimes there are even barricade posts to keep cars from parking there. No posts for the building my classes are in, though, so sometimes some jackass has to go and park his car there just to be close as possible when the back half of the parking lot is still completely empty.

[RJDoles]

While I was attending Akron U, many of the engineering classes were in two buildings called Shrank Hall 1 and 2. There was an enclosed 2nd floor overhead walkway between the two buildings. The nearest motorcycle parking for classes in those buildings was on either end of a bicycle rack located under that walkway at ground level. The walkway was about 30 feet up and it was kind of nice place to park if it rained.

I worked full time during the day so I took evening classes. One Tuesday evening after class, I walked out to get my bike. It was a CB750 back then. My bike was gone. I called security to report that my bike was stolen.

A security car pulled up. Two campus security guards got out and asked me what year, make and model and where it had been parked. I told them that I had parked it next to the bicycle rack under the walkway between Shrank 1 and 2. They called back to their office. They then informed me that it wasn't stolen, it had been towed. I asked them why. They told me that a new parking rule went into effect and that motorcycles weren't allowed under Shrank halls anymore. I asked them when that started? They said beginning that very week. I asked them why it wasn't posted? They pointed to a sign up on the walkway 30 feet up. I looked up and sure enough, a sign said "No motorcycle parking, violators will be towed". I asked them why the sign wasn't down at ground level where someone would see it? They didn't have an answer. I asked them why they weren't writing warnings for a first offense? They didn't have an answer. I asked them after years of allowing motorcycles to park next to the bicycle rack, why it was no longer OK to do so? They had no answer.

Since the bike had already been towed, what was the point of wasting more time talking to these two knuckleheads who had no answers to anything anyway.

I had to call my wife, she had to bundle up our daughter and then drive the 18 miles from our home in Manchester to Akron to get me. We then we drove across Akron to the tow lot, paid $65 dollars to get my bike back. There were about 6 familiar bikes sitting beside mine at the tow lot. I asked the tow lot operator if he got all six at Akron U in one trip? He just smiled.

Every time I get a "Hello Akron U Alumni, we need money" letter I write up this little story and send it to them instead.

Ride safe!

[davelisowski]

wait... parking in hash marks is legal? that sounds more preposterous than parking in a parking space... er, a "car" parking space.

[Fat Kid]

Originally Posted by Jim O

Interesting why he left the space in comments line, but wrote under it...

[rjdaines]

And what if, by chance, all the designated motorcycle areas are full (a grand day that would be), where to park then?

[Jim O]

There is only spots for four bikes, and they are full frequently. I asked other bikers what they do and many go to parking lots FAR away to park, rather than parking in the hash marks. I believe I will park in a "car" spot, get my ticket, and piss and moan about it.

This ticket was not on my bike...I saw it on another guy's bike and took a picture of it. I used it to fight for more bike parking, and I actually got two more spaces added (making the total of four spots I mentioned.)

Yes, parking is tight on campus. However, most cars only carry one passenger so where is the advantage? Often times, two bikes will park in one regular spot, so the campus could actually benefit if they'd allow us to park where cars do. There would not be a net loss of parking.

Someone mentioned the parking permits and cost. Bikes pay the same as cars for their permits...which is nothing. They are free, but you will get ticketed if you do not have them. The day I was being interviewed for my job, I got a ticket! Those guys in the golf carts are fast!

I am not losing sleep over this issue. But it does piss me off. I've calmly argued the logic with the chief of campus security and got no where, except for the two added bike slots...which is progress, I guess.

[Aftrshck]

Jim,
Maybe you need to take it above the campus security chief. Talk to the Dean of students and if that doesn't work go to the Student body president and have the discussion with him...believe it or not they typically have quite a bit of pull...

[Offday]

Unfortunately while community colleges offer public education they do not offer
"Public" parking. If you have a parking permit or not. It's a "private" lot.
virtually EVERY parking lot is private property. Doesn't matter if your in school
or at the supper market. They can write their own rules concerning parking and
enforce those rules. No matter how stupid they may be.
Now regardless of what your warning ticket says. Parking in a blue handicapped parking
Space. Or any portion of it. Is illegal.
If a "real" law enforcement officer drives through your school lot for any reason, could
Have maybe folowed someone in, looking for expired registrations, whatever, and sees
Your bike there. You will get a ticket. Maybe even towed.
If you look it up it will say it's illegal, unless you have a handicap permit. There's no
Exceptions listed.
That would be your best argument. The state vehicle code. If they don't want you
In a car space. Then where....."legally" where.
Could campus security still ask you to move? Yep.
Catch 22

[Earthling789]

When I was going to college (state University in KY), there were no designated motorcycle parking spots, and to my knowledge, there still aren't.

We parked bikes in standard parking spaces, sometimes doubling up, but mostly we each took one space. I know that students complained about all those "little bikes" taking up space reserved for "cars"... especially in Residential Lots, because I was on the student council for a year. Our campus security came to many of our meetings and politely reminded everyone that "motorcyclists pay $xx for parking, the same as you do for you car, therefore, they are entitled to park in a 'whole space', the same as any other vehicle."

Still, though, we tended to park our bikes in the rear of the lots, or way off to the sides... parking in the "premium, front" slots meant you were asking for vandalism or worse, hit by those "Muffy and Heather" types, driving daddy's high-dollar SUV/Sports-car, who felt "entitled" to the spot you were in.

My kids go there now, and as I understand, the old policy still stands... no MC parking on the sidewalks, or in bicycle designated areas (will get you ticketed or towed quickly)... you must park in a "designated, vehicle parking slot" according to your Zone.... and never, never, never in or near a handicap area unless you have handicap tags/permit.

Oh, and no doubling up on metered spaces... if they catch two bikes sharing a parking meter on campus, they will ticket both!

[willydawadd]

the school I go to has the same rule, but the motorcycle parking is tiny!