Why Driver Cried "Foul" over Parking Ticket Collection Process

NYC Fire Hydrants generate major revenue for New York City

Several NYC fire hydrants are big-time breadwinners for the Evil Empire. Cops and warriors can’t resist issuing parking tickets to unsuspecting members of the driving public for parking within 15 feet of these NYC fire hydrants thinking it was safe to park. The winning pump generated $33,118 from August 1, 2013 – March 26, 2014. The champ is located opposite 152 Forsyth Street, NYC.

You don’t have to travel far to find the silver medalist. The runner-up pump is hiding down the block, opposite 104 Forsyth Street, NYC, and generated $24,617 during the same period of time.

Best supporting actor goes to a curb extension disguised as a bicycle lane, without which these two fire hydrants would be relegated to obscurity.

Meet the NYC fire hydrant parking traps

This is a Google Map image of Forsyth street showing an overview of the entire block

The first image is an overview of Forsyth Street, NYC. The arrow points out the fire hydrant. You’ll observe a bike rider in what appears to be a bike lane, but it’s not a bike lane. According to the NYC Department of Transportation it is an extension of the sidewalk.

The second image is a closer look at the winning fire hydrant. Cars are parked in what appears to be a legal parking lane adjacent to what appears to be a bike lane. The first car in line is parked illegally because it hunkered down within 15 feet of the fire hydrant.

This third photograph shows the beginning of what unsuspecting members of the driving public thought was a bike lane on Forsyth Street, but was not. The clues are the three poles in the yellow circle. These poles would not be present if this lane was intended to be used as a bike lane. The multi-colored arrow points to the undercover sidewalk extension that the driving public thought was a bike lane.

Here’s the legal definition of a bike lane:
A portion of the roadway which has been designated by striping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.”

The above photograph shows the hiding place for the silver medalist. This is a Google Maps street view image. You’ll notice that Google captured for posterity an unsuspecting member of the driving public with an evil parking ticket under the wiper. Argh…

This final image is a closer look at the handiwork of the runner-up fire hydrant.

Commentary

Would you have been caught up in the fire hydrant/undercover sidewalk extension sting? You really have to hold on to your wallets when parking in NYC. A couple of loose ends…

The bicycle rules of the road can be found in the NYS VTL, NYC Administrative Code, and NYC Rules, 4-08 et al.
A real bike lane is painted green and has a bicyclist icon on the pavement

Here are the source articles for this blog post. They are excellent and well worth your time to read.

“Misleading Fire Hydrant Costing City Drivers $33K in Tickets,” NY Post

“Meet the Fire Hydrant that Unfairly Nets NYC $25,000 a Year,” I Quant NY

“Update: Single Fire Hydrant Nets NYC $33,000, not just $25,00” I Quant NY

I urge you to familiarize yourselves with the myriad road markings you may encounter parking in NYC. There are bus lanes and bike lanes, and undercover sidewalk extensions (yeah right!) that are ready to reach into your wallet and confiscate your hard earned dough.

Park safely.