Last Updated on November 6, 2022 by Lawrence Berezin
Are you careful about where you park your motorcycle in NYC?
Bicycle owners are more passionate about riding than motorcycle owners…just kidding. Motorcycle owners are incredibly passionate about their bikes and how to park them safely.
Here are a few parking tips for motorcycle owners/drivers
- You are permitted to angle park, but one wheel must touch the curb
- It matters not whether it is the front or rear wheel
- In no event shall any portion of your motorcycle be more than six (6) feet from the curb
- A motorcyclist does NOT have to feed the meter, if
- Your bike can fit in between cars that are parked at the meter, and
- The meter is activated, and
- Your bike is parked at an angle to the curb with one wheel touching the curb
The big but is, if a paying car leaves the space, time runs out, you may get a parking ticket. I wonder whether you may get a parking ticket for “overtime parking” if you reactivate the meter?
If a motorcycle takes the parking space, you must pay the toll on the poll (parking meter).
What should be avoided when you park a motorcycle? Can any of our passionate motorcyclists offer some additional parking tips and tricks? Why?
[Larry’s note: Information for this article was obtained from a fabulous book authored by Gridlock Sam Schwartz, a world re-known parking expert and former NYC Traffic Commissioner, entitled “Traffic Conundrums,” which is available for purchase at Amazon.com or on Gridlock Sam’s website].
I have a comment and a question.
Comment – It’s helpful to take a photo of a car that you park next in case you come back and find your bike on the ground or damaged by a “nudge”. Depending on how long you’ve parked there, the chances are good that the car that was there when you parked was the one that knocked you down.
Question – There is no such thing as separate commercial plate for motorcycles. However, most of midtown Manhattan’s parking is restricted to commercial vehicles. I actually utilize my motorcycle for commercial purposes during the day. I’ve been ticketed even after paying meter fees.
Since there is only a single class of motorcycle license plate, there is no distinction between a commercial or a passenger motorcycle. Therefore, shouldn’t motorcycles be permitted to park in commercial parking zones?
Dear Joseph,
Good evening.
Great question.
Parking in Midtown is severely limited during the day for all vehicles. Forget about parking a motorcycle that you use for commercial purposes, in Midtown. You will be “eaten alive.”
Thanks for your comment and question.
“Know when to hold ’em…Know when to fold ’em.
Best,
Larry
Hi Larry, I received a ticket for parking in a metered sport that was occupied by a vehicle. The car was in the same place when I arrived and left so I don’t think the space emptied while I was away. I would like to protest this thicket with the NYC Dept. of Finance. Do you know where it states that motorcycles (I actually have a scooter), don’t need to feed the meter if occupying a shared space with a car? The car in the shared space had “official” plates, so I don’t know if that makes a difference as to why I was ticketed.
Thanks!
Dear Bonnie,
Good afternoon.
Great question.
Boy, I feel badly about telling you the end of your story. You are totally correct about a scooter being permitted to share a space with a car and not pay the meter. However, the sad ending is that if the car exits the space before your scooter, you are eligible for a parking ticket. [“The big but is, if a paying car leaves the space, time runs out, you may get a parking ticket”]
So much for a “free” parking space.
The information you ask for comes from a book written by the former NYC Transportation Commissioner, Gridlock Sam Schwartz. It’s called “Traffic Conundrums.” It’s a super book. Here’s a link to Sam’s website…http://www.gridlocksam.com/ss_store.html
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Hi Larry – I got a ticket today for parking the “wrong way” while angled parking with my front wheel touching the curb.
What would be the best language to use to contest this ticket?
Thanks!
Hi John,
Sorry about the parking pain.
Your question is beyond the scope of the blog…I can’t formulate a defense to a ticket without doing a thorough investigation.
I will say this…Was there a sign that said something to the effect that head on parking was disallowed, or back in only, etc.?
If so, what’s your winning defense?
If not, you want to be sure that you submit photographs of the area that show there were no signs directing back in only parking (be sure the photographs also identify the street and place of occurrence.
Regards,
Larry
I am not a frequent nyc traveler I am although having to commute to city for next couple weeks and will do so by motorcycle .. do the ticket metered parking spots allow motorcycles to park there with out getting a parking meter ticket and if so how Do I leave on my bike and be sure it won’t get stolen ..and if not how will I be sure I wont get a ticket for Parking there and are motorcycles aloud to park between cars who have payed and if they leave will I be subjected to tickets ..just want to be clear if I can save money and time instead of paying to park in garages
Hi, Joseph
I’m sorry to report that I am no longer answering questions on the blog.
Just a little too much for this old guy to keep up with.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Joseph,
I can answer that. NYC traffic enforcement is designed to collect revenue for the city. Having said that, you can be ticketed for parking legally, just depends on which attendant is passing by and what his/her quota is. Never assume you won’t get a ticket in NYC.