Online Petition

Support Free Designated 'City of Ottawa' Downtown Parking for Scooters and Motorcycles, recognizing their fuel efficiency and space efficiency.

 

See Message from Sheldon Cross again.

 

Riding a motorcycle or scooter is one of the easiest and most economical ways to get around. Not only do motorcycles reduce traffic congestion, but parking downtown is much easier than for an automobile.

 

We propose City of Ottawa’s relevant parking by-laws be amended to allow scooter and motorcycle operators to park their vehicles free of charge, in existing, designated on-street parking spaces, without having to purchase Pay and Display tickets. Click here to view the areas currently identified as needing designated parking.

 

Given the small size of scooters, the City of Ottawa amend the relevant right-of-way and parking by-laws to allow scooter operators to park their vehicles on sidewalks, so long as they are not obstructing pedestrian flow, similar to the way in which non-motorized bicycles are permitted to be parked on the sidewalks.

 

The President, Ottawa Parking Authority, be requested to prepare a report that would detail how the Authority could designate a small area for free scooter and motorcycle parking at all of its indoor and outdoor ‘Green P’ lots. Click here to view the areas currently identified as needing designated parking. Click here to view the areas currently identified as needing designated parking.

 

These vehicles make parking easier and help traffic flow better. Studies have shown that across equal distances commuting motorcyclists reach their destinations in less time than those using automobiles, that motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile than automobiles, and that they take up less space on roads. [ Input from Sheldon ] Motorcycle and scooter riders seek improved employer recognition and support for this form of transportation, and more public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

 

Articles of Interest:

 

• Parking Notice of Motion (Toronto) (PDF)
• New York City Traffic Model (DOC)
• New York City Traffic Model 2 (DOC)
• Summer of the Scooter - Article: Rosalyn Solomon, 24 HOURS - 20 Dec, 07
• Free Parking in Toronto - Inside Motorcycles Breaking News Blog - MCC - 27 Oct 05
• MCC Media Release - Motorcycles Ignored in Ontario (PDF) - MCC - 9 Aug 07
• Toronto's amended parking bylaws aid gas-sipping rides - Article: David Menzies, National Post - 25 Nov 05
• HOV Lanes in Toronto (DOC) - 'Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada' Press Release
• Motorized Two-Wheel Vehicle Parking Proposal - City of Columbus Public Service Department - Presented to Mayor Michael B. Coleman July 16, 2008
• Sydney City Council's proposal to encourage smaller, more environmentally-friendly modes of travel - July 24, 2008
• Emission reduction process - The emission reduction process started relatively recently for the powered two-wheel vehicles.
• Green Paper on Urban Transport ‘Towards a new culture for urban mobility’ - Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles
• California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 (PDF) - Amended: October 17, 2007
• EPA Emission Study (PDF)
• California Emissions Document (PDF)
• Motorcycle News - News about motorcycles with a Canadian perspective - Canadian Motorcycle Rider
• Help Two-wheelers to help our city - Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen - Article by: Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen

 

Toronto City Council passed legislation to make motorcycle and scooter parking free. The legislation also called for increasing the amount of parking space available for two-wheeled vehicles. Toronto obviously realized that it did more harm than good to punish those who reduced congestion and emissions in the city. It’s only a matter of time, I hope, before Ottawa comes to the same conclusions.

 

Parking for All! Sign the petition to convert some automobile spaces to two-wheel spaces!

 

By signing the petition, you are promoting the conversion of some automobile parking spaces to two-wheel spaces. The results will be publicized and sent to the mayor.

 

Just as parking spaces for compact cars and handicapped parking stalls have increased efficiency and convenience in urban and suburban communities, officially designated two-wheel parking facilities can do the same. Click here to view the areas currently identified as needing designated parking.

 

Government agencies should consider removing the two-wheeler from the four-wheeler parking space and placing it in its own, scaled down zone. This is a simple concept that can be embraced by city councils, urban planners, local merchants, contractors, shopping center management and private businesses whenever parking for motor vehicles is provided.

 

The smaller size of two-wheel vehicles allows them to fit into unoccupied areas on streets and sidewalks, creating efficiencies in urban planning and increasing city revenues (if metered).

 

Six motorcycles, scooters or limited-access motorcycles carrying from six to twelve people can be parked in the area normally taken up by one automobile. If, however, no motorcycle parking facility is provided in the area, one would possibly find those six motorcycles occupying up to six separate automobile spaces.

 

Here are some suggestions for motorcycle/scooter parking that we are proposing:

 

• Street-legal parking - convert a number of existing parking spaces every couple of streets to motorcycle/scooter parking

 

• Convert unused space - cement curbs of a certain size can be converted to two-wheel parking.

 

A specialized parking area for motorcycles and scooters not only leaves more space for the automobiles, but also caters to the riders' needs by providing a well-lit, convenient and secure location in which they may confidently leave their vehicle. Such facilities can be small in area and can usually be located near a building entrance or at the end of a parking island. Click here to view the areas currently identified as needing designated parking.

 

If you'd be interested in this please Sign Up or contact Sheldon Cross (Petition Author) anytime...