Last Updated on August 14, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
The NYC pedestrian ramp parking tickets epiphany
I bet you thought pedestrian ramps and NYC real estate had nothing in common? Pedestrian ramps are very valuable real estate assets for the NYC DOF. If you park in front of a ramp at the wrong place you will be issued an NYC parking ticket. The fine is $165, with no reduction offered for a plea of guilty.
Shocking news about pedestrian ramp parking rule enforcement
Due to the efforts of New York Parking Ticket LLC (that’s us), the NYC_DOT acknowledged December 2008 amendment to the pedestrian ramp rule was not being enforced properly. Parking ticket warriors were issuing illegal parking tickets, and judges were enforcing the rule incorrectly. As a result, many, many members of the driving public were paying illegal fines for more than one year after the 2008 amendment.
The NYC_DOT made changes immediately after we notified them of the injustice. It is now well-settled, pedestrian ramps in the middle of the block of the long street in a T – intersection with no crosswalk or traffic control device regulating the flow of traffic are perfectly legal to block.
More Shocking News
Two terrific friends of New York Parking Ticket recently posted comments on Larry’s Blog inquiring about the parking law legality of blocking a pedestrian ramp in the middle of any block, with no crosswalk or traffic control device regulating traffic. One of our friends, Martin, received a parking ticket for parking in front of a pedestrian ramp located in the middle of the block, was found guilty at trial and appeal within the NYC DOF, and pay a whopping $165. As Martin said:
The judge agreed with my argument but found me guilty. He said his hands were tied. He had to follow the rule”
Why does it matter whether the ramp is located in the middle of a regular, ordinary, run-of-the-mill block, or the long street of a T intersection? The evil is the same for both. Crossing in the middle of any block with no crosswalk is dangerous. It is jaywalking and happens to be against the law.”
Outcome
-I contacted the NYC_DOT on Twitter. DOT is very responsive on Twitter. I asked about the clear inconsistent enforcement of the pedestrian ramp rule. DOT replied:
Parking in front of any pedestrian ramp without a marked crosswalk is LEGAL”
-The DOT revised 34 RNYC 4-08(f):
(f) General No Standing zones (standing and parking prohibited in specified places). No person shall stand or park a vehicle in any of the following places unless otherwise indicated by posted signs, markings or other traffic control devices, or at the direction of a law enforcement officer:
(7)Pedestrian ramps. Alongside or in a way which obstructs a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or otherwise constructed or altered to give access for persons with disabilities at a marked or unmarked crosswalk as defined in subdivision (b) of section 4-01 of this chapter. A person may stop, stand or park a vehicle along or in a way which obstructs a pedestrian ramp not located within such crosswalk unless otherwise prohibited”
-Subdivision (b) of section 4-01 of this chapter states:
(ii)Unmarked crosswalk. That part of a roadway, other than a marked crosswalk, which is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection.”
Commentary:
My concern is why was their confusion within the ranks of the NYC-DOT, NYC_DOF Adjudication Unit, and parking ticket warriors in the first place? Why was this expensive parking rule being enforced improperly? How many members of the NYC driving public unwittingly paid whopping parking fines of $165.00 for a non-existent parking violation?
Here is a summary of the locations of the pedestrian ramps you will find in NYC.
- Pedestrian ramps in a four corner intersection (Parking Prohibited)
- Pedestrian ramps in the middle of the long street of a T intersection with a marked crosswalk and traffic control device (Parking Prohibited)
- Pedestrian ramps in the middle of the long street of a T-intersection without a marked crosswalk and traffic control device (Parking is Legal)
- Pedestrian ramps in the middle of any block without a marked crosswalk and traffic control device (Parking is Legal)
[alert type=”info” icon-size=”hide-icon”]Do you know the difference between a crosswalk and stop line? Can you park in the dead zone between a stop line and crosswalk?[/alert] For answers to these questions, you may wish to check out this blog post.
Let’s all be vigilant
Does a stairway count as a pedestrian ramp? I got two $165 tickets for parking in front of a stairway cut into the sidewalk, clearly not for disabled citizens.
I am in the same situation. I was also ticketed $165 for parking in front of a stairway cut into the sidewalk, without any paints or signs. According to the ticket, it is a ramp! It reads as “Violation code 67: Parking in front of a pedestrian ramp”
Eren,
I am happy to make you the same offer as Samson.
I’m happy to take a look at the location, if you want to send me a photograph, or the street address of the adjacent building.
How did the warrior describe the “place of occurrence” on the parking ticket.
Best,
Larry
Samson,
Good afternoon.
Boy, those warriors refuse to give up.
A photograph reveals the truth.
I’m happy to take a look at the location.
You can either email me a photograph, or send me the address of the adjacent building. I’ll take a look on Google Maps street view.
Best,
Larry
I parked at 200 Riverside BLVD on Manhattan West side between W 69th st. and W 70th. st. About 5 minutes after parking there, the Doorman “Gobbi” of the Trump building had called his buddy, the traffic agent, Syed, issued a ticket for ” Blocking Pedestrian Ramp” and also noted “complaints by owner mr gobbi” on the ticket. The car was towed 10 minutes later. The is no cross walk or any indication of the ramp. The road is divided by double yellow line that means “do not cross” and there is a legal cross walk at the nearest corner which is the intersection of W 70th st.
I am not only fighting this ticket but will also sue the building owners for running this scam just to keep the front of the building clear of cars.
Dear Jack,
Good morning.
Your comment raises my blood pressure to the danger zone. Horribly bad behavior by Heckle and Jekyll, and illegal. The ramp you describe is a legal ramp to block.
Good luck in your quest.
(PS…I took the liberty of eliminating last name and other identifying stuff. I’ve never used this blog for embedding scarlet letters on people, despite their despicable behavior. I hope you understand. If you prefer that I remove the comment, I will oblige).
I just got a ticket today [4-08(e)(5)] that says i was parking in front of a crosswalk. This was in the middle of the block and was a ramp that for people with wheelchairs. The building is closed on the weekends though. There was no sign that said i couldnt park there, no painted pedestrian walkway, nothing. What can I do?
Dear Kingsley,
Good morning.
It’s a little difficult to totally understand the elements of the parking crime scene to give you a good answer to your great question.
I’m happy to take a look at a photograph and then offer my opinion about your next options. You may wish to send your photograph to larry@newyorkparkingticket.com
Best,
Larry
Larry,
I sent you an email. I also recently got a [4-08(e)(5)] for blocking pedestrian ramp when there were no signs prohibiting parking or any crosswalk markings on the street. It was at the corner of 150th and Goethals avenue in Flushing. It made me so mad! Was I in the wrong?
Thanks for this site!
Hey Ben,
Good morning.
The intersection you describe is an unusual configuration. Looking on Google Maps there appears to be another curb cut across 150th Street.
On which street did you park your chariot? 150th Street or on Goethals Avenue.
(I don’t reply to emails sent to me. If you’d like a personal consultation to answer your questions, or help you fight a parking ticket, you may wish to check out Larry’s Advice. On the other hand, comments posed on our blog where my reply may be helpful to all, will be happily answered. With that said, I don’t find your email in my email box).
This is an unusual situation where all of us may benefit from figuring out whether or not you were parked legally.
Best,
Larry
So now I’m just confused: I checked on the NYC DOT website before parking at a pedestrian ramp and I parked on the long street of a T-intersection in front of 112 John Street in the financial district – where I understood it was legal to park.
There was a pedestrian ramp across the street, an unmarked crosswalk and no traffic control device. At 1 am on Sunday I got a ticket – have the rules changed again?
Hi Nadia,
Good afternoon.
Nope. The pedestrian ramp rules haven’t changed.
But, warriors and cops are still issuing illegal ramp parking tickets and have been since the law was changed in December 2008.
When you’re right-fight!
Please let us know the outcome.
Best,
Larry
Hello Larry,
So on top of giving me a ticket for parking at what I thought was a legal pedestrian ramp at a T-intersection, the address of the offense is incorrect: the officer wrote “in front of 112 John Street”, where there is NO ramp, whereas I was parked in front of 108 John Street, about 30-40 feet away, in front of the ramp. Should I even bring this up with the judge? I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t parked at a ramp, but the officer clearly put down a completely different location – shouldn’t that void the ticket? I have associates that saw exactly where I was parked and can attest to it in writing.
Dear Nadia,
Good morning.
Great questions.
I generally submit all defenses when fighting a parking ticket for a client because you can never be sure which one will resonate with a judge. And, sometimes the combined weight of two or more defenses will carry the day and result in a dismissal.
In addition, if the original judge finds you guilty, you preserve all defenses to raise on appeal.
You parked in front of a legal pedestrian ramp. You win by proving it was legal. Plus, your gift from the warrior is that she entered the wrong address.
Your defense to the wrong address is a “misdescribed required element-place of occurrence.” It’s obviously misdescribed if a ramp doesn’t live at the address entered on your parking ticket.
Winner and still champion, Nadia. Yea!
Let us know the outcome.
Best,
Larry
Larry, I parked in front of 1431 zerega ave in the Bronx and parked here on a regular basis. However, when I came home today I had a ticket on my windshield that said blocking a pedestrian ramp. There are no stop signs, cross-walks or any traffic control devices as I’m located on the long street of a T intersection. I have lent of pictures because I’m not going to take this lying down. Where can I send the pictures too?
Brian,
I hate these pedestrian ramp scam parking tickets. Coincidentally, I just finished an appeal for a customer who lives in Pennsylvania, never ever parked his car in NYC, and still got a parking ticket for parking in a non-existent safety zone…Guess where?
Allegedly on the North Side of Randall Avenue- 75 feet West of Zerega Avenue in the Bronx. There isn’t a safety zone on the entire length of Randall Avenue. Something’s going on there because that makes two fraudulent parking tickets we know about. I’m sure there’s a bunch more.
I fight our parking tickets by mail. I prepare a defense certification and exhibits to tell my customer’s story. You’ll find the address to mail your documents (securely attached)(certified mail, return receipt requested) on the back of the parking ticket. It’s:
NYC Parking Violations Bureau
Hearing by Mail Unit
PO Box 29021
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9021
Let us know the outcome.
Good luck fighting the good fight, Brian.
Best,
Larry
Hey Larry. I recently got a ticket for blocking a pedestrian walk way. I see no markings there at all. Also, I’ve been parking in that spot or around that area for years. Ocean Hill Playground, Brooklyn NY.
2230-2298 Dean St
Brooklyn, NY 11233
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.674824,-73.91239,3a,62.3y,145.71h,70.66t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smYSvCOANoWFcFNf4P8jPnQ!2e0!6m1!1e1
Was I in the right? Because I think so.
Dear Thomas,
You are absolutely correct!
I despise these pedestrian ramp scam parking tickets.
I viewed the ramp (thanks for the link).
It is a perfect example of a LEGAL, mid block with no marked crosswalk or traffic control devices regulating traffic, curb cut.
When you’re right-FIGHT….You’ll win.
Let us know the outcome, Frank.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Hey Larry. I took a few pictures of the area. I wrote up my defense and submitted the info.
I was able to beat it with your help!
Thanks! You’re doing good work.
Thomas,
What a wonderful way to start my week.
Great news. Congratulations, champ!
When you’re right-FIGHT.
You did and justice prevailed.
Thanks for sharing your good tidings with us.
Best,
Larry
Hi Lary ,
I just got a ticket for pedestrian ramp blocked today the only thing is that i was not blocking it , in a T intersection( Astoria Blvd with 41st street ) i was parked at the corner of Astoria blvd and the pedestrian ramp is on 41st street , my car did not block in any way the access to the ramp . Is that still a parking violation ? I also have pictures to prove it .
Thank you ,
Andrei
Dear Andrei,
Good morning.
I despise these illegal pedestrian ramp parking tickets.
It is perfectly legal to park in front of a curb cut located at a ‘T’ intersection with no marked crosswalks, traffic controls or devices regulating traffic.
Please be sure to include photographs / Google Map Street View images to also establish the location of the ramp. It’s not enough to present pictures of a legal ramp without connecting it to the place of occurrence entered on your parking ticket.
Good luck with your good fight, Andrei.
Let us know the outcome.
Best,
Larry
Hi Larry. thanks for this thread. I am glad I found it. I was going to dispute my tickets anyway but I feel that I have a better chance now with more information.
My car was ticketed (67 f 7) for the same violation. The ramp was in the middle of block and not marked. I always parked there for 3 years with no citations. I was away and I got TWO tickets within 48 hours. I took pictures of the ramp, street signs. Also pictures of a car who has been parking in the exact same spot for over 4 days without getting tickets. I know the last part is not relevant but I feel like my car was targeted because I have NJ plate. Oh well.
Dear Hiroshi,
Good morning.
You are perfectly correct.
You were issued two “scam” parking tickets.
I’m glad we could help.
One itsy-bitsy suggestion…Don’t include the part about targeting your car because other cars didn’t get a parking ticket. You may be correct, but it diminishes your credibility and is wasting your time and the judge’s time.
Please let us know the outcome.
Best,
Larry
HI Larry.
Thanks for your advice and such a quick reply. You are right about the other car vs my NJ plate. I will just keep it to myself.
I have one quick question. Do you know if there are different outcome between disputing tickets via Mail / Online / in-person? I was going to use online service but my ticket numbers are not “In system” after more than a week.
Thanks Larry for this website!
Hiroshi
Dear Hiroshi,
We dispute most of our parking tickets by mail…I recommend against fighting tickets online.
In person is fine if you’re retired and have a morning to spend waiting for a 45 second hearing.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Dear Larry.
Thank you so much for your advise and encouragement. I just received decisions and both charges were dismissed. If I have not found your website, I might have paid $320 without giving much thought to it.
Thanks for your generous advise and website!
Dear Hiroshi,
Good morning.
You absolutely made my day!
Congratulations, Champ.
I’m thrilled we could help.
Best,
Larry
Last night, my fiancee and I parked at a textbook case of a pedestrian ramp (to nowhere!) T-Intersection with no marked crosswalk or all-way traffic signals at the corner of Freedom Place and 68th Street. Our car was gone in the morning. We found out that the car actually received two tickets in the span of about an hour before it was towed, one for “Pedestrian Ramp” and the other for “Crosswalk”. We were clearly parked in one of the spots that is labeled “legal” in the DOT diagram of a T-Intersection with curb cuts. Even one of the traffic officers at the impound lot told me that we were legally parked! We will obviously be appealing these tickets, but it seems that this is a money-grab by the NYPD for those who don’t know about the 2008 law change.
Jeff,
Your story makes my high blood pressure, higher. It is an absolute money grabbing scam that has yet to be eradicated. Pox on the house of the warrior /cop, and Captain Hook who illegally grabbed your chariot.
Your description and analysis is totally correct. A crosswalk (invisible or visible) across the ‘T’ of a ‘T’ intersection is a stairway to heaven. Very dangerous.
In addition to beating these tickets, and securing a refund of you tow charges, you may wish to notify your council person.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Thanks, Larry…just saw a car with a ticket in the same spot this afternoon. I feel like posting the DOT T-Intersection diagram at these locations, but that would just get me another ticket!
Hey Larry, I parked my car slightly above a pedestrian ramp in a t-intersection at night. The next day I found out my car was still within the yellow painted lines. It was faded and too dark to be seen at night. Can I make a defense for “Invisible Ramp”? There are no marked crosswalks. Can I also make a t-intersection defense since there are only traffic lights at the end of the block, but not directly where the pedestrian ramp is? It would seem kind of dangerous for pedestrians to walk through.
Dear Emily,
Good morning.
The threshold question is whether the pedestrian ramp is legal or illegal to block. If it’s legal, then you are permitted to block it. Under these circumstances, your defense is that’s it a pedestrian ramp located on the major street of a ‘T’ intersection with no marked crosswalks or traffic control devices regulating traffic…You win by presenting the proper proof, properly.
On the other hand, I am sad to say that an “invisible ramp” defense probably has little chance of success…
A tip of the hat for spending the time formulating a strategy.
Please let us know the outcome.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Hi Larry,
I got a ticket for parking at a pedestrian ramp located in the middle of the street. It was not a crosswalk. In addition, it was in front of a park (at 51 Mulberry Street to be exact, across the street from the Mulberry Hotel) The officer insisted it was a “handicap zone.” However, I never was aware that a ramp in front of a park is considered a handicap zone? There’s another entrance to the park which is at a crosswalk. There was no indication to me – no blue markings or signs-that it was a handicap zone.
Therefore my question is
(1) Is a pedestrian ramp located in front of one entrance to a park in a handicap zone? Are ramps located in front of a park (even though the park has another entrance at a crosswalk) considered handicap zones if there are no signs that indicate it is?
(2) If the ramp is not at a pedestrian crosswalk- is parking legal? I saw that some people had referenced section 4.8 of the traffic rules saying if a ramp is not at a crosswalk, it is legal to park there.
Thank you very much.
Dear Jadie,
Good morning.
Wow…What a “crock” (please pardon my French).
You are absolutely correct. It is perfectly legal to park in front of a mid block pedestrian ramp with no marked crosswalk and no traffic control device or signals regulating traffic.
There are still rogue cops and warriors who believe that there should not be parking in front of any pedestrian ramp, while others are just scam artists.
This makes me crazy. The rule was changed in December 2008…They should learn it by now.
By the way, check out the photograph at the top of this blog post. This was one of the photographs I used to beat an illegal pedestrian ramp parking ticket for a client of ours. It was in front of a park.
Fight it, you’ll win.
Best,
Larry
Hi! I received a pedestrian ramp parking ticket in the middle of 28th between 9th and 10th, in front of Chelsea Park. There is a dip in the sidewalk where my car was parked and the curb is painted yellow, but after reading some yellow paint info online I assumed that the space was legal and that the paint meant nothing. The parking signs have arrows in both directions and there is no crosswalk in the middle of this block or anywhere near the ramp. Do you think there is any chance of fighting this one?
Hi Danielle,
Good afternoon.
I would have parked in front of this yellow-painted curb. I don’t think the curb at that location is a pedestrian ramp. And, I would absolutely fight the ticket.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and taking time out to respond. I will update you on how it turns out. Thank you!
Hi Larry and fellow warriors!
I am so happy I found this chain as I came outside to find a ticket on my car for blocking a pedestrian ramp. There are NO signs nor or their any pedestrian walkway markings on the street stating that it is illegal to park in that spot. I was parked near intersection of Pugsley Ave and Hermany Ave in the bronx – car parked on Pugsley. The spot was directly across what is known as a “T” intersection but even better on my passenger side is a fence and my car was not blocking the entrance! Larry can you please tell me if I am correct in my defense based on the google map screenshots I have taken? Essentially my car was parked where the silver car in the screenshot is. And although there are many grooved angles in the sidewalk I am not blocking the entrance to the so called walkway – but as I originally stated there are no signs or any markings stating it is illegal to park in that section. In fact their is a normal no parking on tuesday and thursday sign directly behind me indicating the area is free for parking on the day in which I was parked (Saturday night). If the google map links below do not work properly just let me know where I can email the screenshots. Thanks again for all your help!!! FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!!
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8239051,-73.8554845,3a,75y,257.55h,84.78t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smKbVut5TOSDF8EosusTNoQ!2e0!6m1!1e1
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8240377,-73.8555139,3a,75y,181.15h,77.88t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sJkB4a3Y7b2YsDVYoCh8-_A!2e0!6m1!1e1
Warm Regards,
Kewain
Kewain,
Good morning.
The parking space depicted in the Google Maps Street View images shows a legal parking space.
Well done.
When you’re right-FIGHT! and you’ll defeat this scam parking ticket.
Let us know the outcome.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Thank you for this website. I recently got a ticket in the Bronx at a T-intersection with no marked sidewalk or crossing and I was so upset because it was totally legal to park there. I took pictures and submitted them so we shall see how the judge rules but I very much appreciate this as it gave me confidence that my gut was right.
Dear Cherie,
Good morning.
Thank you for the inspiring comment.
I am thrilled to help!
Please let us know when you receive the decision.
Best,
Larry
Hi All!!! Happy New Year. Just wanted to give an update that I received a judgement on the ticket I fought and was found not guilty!! Thank you so much for all the information this website gives. Good luck to everyone out there fighting NY parking tickets!
Dear Kewain,
Good morning.
You made by day!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news.
We were happy to help.
Best,
Larry
Hello Larry,
I was parked in front of a set of stairs leading directly to the street. There are no signs or a marked crosswalk. I have a google image linked in this post to show you the street. 629 park pl, in Brooklyn. I was parked where the white van is currently parked and there is a shorter set of stairs right behind the vehicle; It is very similar to the other ones shown.
Also, the Plate type was not indicated on my ticket. Is this a valid dispute?
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.674368,-73.957524,3a,75y,92.11h,66.24t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sZbl6ieIwkdVuyKr4llFfWA!2e0!6m1!1e1
Thank you in advance!
Tim
I’d also like to add that the ticket was issued for 629 Park pl. while the steps in question are in front of 629 park pl.
Should I submit all three issues in my dispute?
sorry, there is no edit button. The steps in question are in front of 621 Park Pl.
Dear Tim,
Good morning.
Let’s address the Plate Type question first.
If you asked me this about four weeks ago, I would have said
that Plate Type must be entered on a ticket to establish a
prima facie case. However, Plate Type for out-of-state vehicles
is no longer a slam dunk. Judges are accepting NS.
I have a case on appeal and waiting for a decision. I’ll report
the answer. In my humble opinion, Plate Type is one of the five
mandatory required elements that must be entered to establish a
case (See Wheels and Ryder Truck cases).
Place of occurrence must be described correctly. If not, and you
can prove it was misdescribed, will result in a dismissal of
your ticket.
Good luck, Tim.
Regards,
Larry
Thank you for the insight. I will tackle this ticket using the wrong location and fight the ticket.
I do have NY plates though, is it not a slam dunk for out of state plates only?
Finally, did you have a chance to look at the steps in question? I’m just curious if it is legal parking.
Thank you again.
Tim Stys
Tim,
Plate type for a chariot registered in NY is a slam dunk because it’s shown on the sticker.
The stairs are not the issue. The issue is whether the place of occurrence is described correctly.
It matters not if an elephant is sitting on the stairs. Is the elephant sitting in the place of occurrence as described on the parking ticket.
Good luck, Champ!
Best,
Larry
Thank you, Larry, for giving me hope with this website. I’m from Vermont and was just visiting a friend on Park Place in Brooklyn, and got a “Pedestrian Ramp” ticket for $165. I was parked overnight in front of a stairwell at 595 Park Place, Brooklyn. I assumed I was in the wrong and didn’t take any photograph before driving back to VT. But seeing your website gives me a glimmer of hope. If this is an unjust ticket, can I contest it without a photo?
Much appreciated,
Tim
Tim,
Good afternoon.
Boy, visitors to our fair city get no respect.
If you parked your chariot in front of a pedestrian ramp with no marked crosswalks, traffic signs, or traffic control devices regulating traffic, it is a legal parking space.
I’ve used Google Maps Street View when photographs aren’t available.
Please be sure to lay the proper foundation so the judge can easily identify the place of occurrence from your Google Map Street Images.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Thank you, Larry. I don’t recall seeing anything prohibiting how I parked. I’ll have my friend double-check and perhaps photograph the location. Will let you know how I get on!
~ Tim
Dear Larry,
You’ll be pleased to know my ticket was dismissed after sending in photographs and a screen capture of Google Earth, both proving that I was only partially blocking an unmarked stairwell, which is decidedly not a marked pedestrian ramp.
Wouldn’t it be nice if one day the city decided it was no longer economical to dish out these unjust tickets because it was costing them more to process and handle all of the disputed tickets.
Many thanks for your helpful site and input,
Tim
Hello there, Larry. I was issued an f7 citation for parking at the pedestrian ramp (where I’ve parked before without receiving a ticket) at the intersection in the website link above (and also here: http://bit.ly/1F4mBfI). I believe this is an unjustified citation per your info above…can you confirm? Thank you!
Sara,
Good afternoon.
Great catch.
It is a legal parking space.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Great! Thank you for the quick response – I am sending out my defense today. So happy to have found your site!
Hello! I recently got a ticket for “blocking a pedestrian ramp”. There was no indication on the ramp (yellow painting or crosswalk) that showed that it was illegal to park there. Is this legit? Not sure if I should fight it or if I am going to have to show up to court to fight it? Here are the details: Violation: 4-08(f)(7), E/S 153rd St, 5Ft N/of Reeves Ave. VC 67, County Q, Pct 107. Oh and by the way I walked away from my car at 5:40 and the ticket was issued at 5:43…nice guy!
Dear Christina,
Good morning.
It sounds like you’re another victim of the pedestrian ramp scam.
It is legal to park in front of a curb cut that is located mid-block, without a marked crosswalk,
and traffic signs or signals regulating traffic.
We fight most of our parking tickets online, or by mail.
It’s not worth your valuable time to sit in the waiting room waiting
to see a judge who gives you 30 seconds to present your case.
Good luck.
Please let us know the outcome.
Regards,
Larry
Should I just plea not guilty online or do I need to send in pictures?
Dear Christina,
You’ve got to present the proper proof, properly to prove your case and win a dismissal of this scam parking ticket.
Here’s a link to an ebook I published about fighting a pedestrian ramp parking ticket. It is for an appeal, not the original fight. But, you’ll get the idea about how to present the proper proof to win.
http://09dcbed70132522ff6ac295a.newyorkparkingti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nypt-hank_appeal_final.pdf
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
Did you have to pay the ticket at the end or did you fight it?
Dear Sara,
Good morning.
Great question.
One of my clients came to me after she initiated the hearing process because the judge adjourned the hearing to allow her to furnish additional evidence to prove her case. The Judge even gave her an inter-office memo reminding the judge’s about legal versus illegal pedestrian ramps.
I provided her with the evidence she needed to complete the hearing. Here ticket was dismissed.
I then contacted the DOT to urge them to publish the revised rule, which they did within 24-hours.
Sadly, warriors/cops still don’t know the law or choose to ignore the law because they think they’re helping people with disabilities to cross the street.
My response to that is, “why would you invite a person with disabilities to cross in the middle of the street (jaywalk) when you would never allow your child to cross there?”
At least the judge’s are dismissing these illegal tickets upon presentation of the proper proof.
Best,
Larry
Dear Larry I received a parking ticket at a cross walk located at a T junction. The cross walk was along side a park. It was unmarked however painted in blue color. Can I fight it?
Thanks,
Bobby
Dear Bobby/Bharat
I replied to your email.
Best,
Larry
Dear Larry!
I just got a ticket this morning for parking at a pedestrian ramp, $165.oo :((
There is no indication on the ramp, no marked crosswalk, no traffic signs, and no traffic control devices controlling traffic.
I was parked where the black sedan was.
Thank you so much for your very helpful site.
Regards,
Olga
Dear Olga,
I am sad to report (after dedicating 6 years, 7-days-per-week, with two months off for my heart attack) that I will no longer be answering questions on Larry’s Blog. You’ll find a treasure trove of information in the 746 Blog Posts and growing, F.A.Q.’s, and comments.
If you need help, you may wish to check out of service offerings. Here’s a link.
https://newyorkparkingticket.com/passenger-vehicles/
Hi Larry
I received a Pedestrian Ramp (67) ticket, but after I found this site I’m unsure if my ticket is legal. I was parked on the corner of 40th Ave and 9th street, north / west corner, LIC, Queens. I’ve uploaded images and map. There’re no crossing lights and no zebra on 40th Ave. where my car was parked. My car is the white pick-up in the photograph.
Dropbox link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5e68s620k2t1xhd/AAAgLWY_4KfR-MSBOf_l0d7ia?dl=0
One more question, the person who wrote the ticket has signed the ticket, but in the field where it says Name of Complainant (printed), the person used his signature again which is identical. The signature is not readable and not in print. Is this valid?
On beforehand thanks,
Rune
Hi Rune,
Sorry for the delay in replying, but I just returned from a visit with my children and granddaughter in Seattle.
Was this a 4-corner or ‘T’ intersection?
Generally, a parking ticket judge will not dismiss a parking ticket if there is any “mark,” however illegible or unreadable, in the space for the warrior’s signature.
Regards,
Larry
i received a ticket at a unmarked crosswalk near a hospital in queens. I thought it strange with no paint or marking of any kind but I paid the ticket $165.
2 years later I got a full refund – Thank you very much
Great for you, Elliot! Regards, Larry
Hi Larry,
What about L-shaped intersection such as at 100-02 SPRUCE ST in Queens? Are the pedestrian ramps considered to be in the middle of a block in this situation? Thanks for the blog and tips!
Hi Kerby,
Wow. What a great question. I’ve never come across cut cuts located at or near “L” type intersections.
Here’s the current pedestrian ramp rule (no standing):
(7) Pedestrian ramps. Alongside or in a manner that obstructs a curb area that has been cut down, lowered, or otherwise constructed or altered to provide access for persons with disabilities at a marked or unmarked crosswalk as defined in subdivision (b) of §4-01 of this chapter. A person may stop, stand or park a vehicle alongside or in a manner that obstructs a pedestrian ramp not located within such crosswalk unless otherwise prohibited.
The curb cut directly in front of the “Variety Flea Market” is not located at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. There is no good reason to cross the street at that location. On the other hand, the second curb cut on the same side as the “Variety Flea Market” aligns with the curb cut on the opposite side of the street (at the corner). Those two curb cuts form an unmarked crosswalk. I would not recommend parking in front of the second curb cut on either side of the street.
What do you think, Kerby?
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry thanks for the kind response and info!
Unfortunately, my father was issued a ticket for “violating Traffic Rule 4-08(f)(7) by stopping, standing or parking a vehicle in a manner which obstructs a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or otherwise constructed or altered to provide access for persons with disabilities” at this location.
My father denies he did, but it would be his word against the traffic cop’s.
We fought the ticket online but an administrative judge denied our dispute. We had argued that the pedestrian ramp was not marked, had no traffic device, and provided photos of the area, but it was not deemed persuasive.
I figured because it is legal to park in front of a pedestrian ramp at a long T-shaped intersection, as long as there is no traffic device or markings on the ground, that it would also apply in this situation. Especially since it’s basically a relatively short one way road with a turn.
Thanks!