'Cars only' sign on parking garage?! | GTAMotorcycle.com

'Cars only' sign on parking garage?!

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bombshelter13

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For the first time, I tried to go to my dentist on my bike instead of on the TTC. My dentist is in a super busy area of town, so what ended up happening? I spend 30 minutes looking for legal parking before giving up and parking behind the building in a corner of the staff lot and was too late to actually get my appointment.

What ****** me off most? Two doors down there's a multi storey pay parking garage (green P) but with a giant 'CARS ONLY' sign right next to the front door! Does this mean what it says it means? I can't pay to park my bike there for 30 minutes? Or does it really mean 'no trucks / large vehicles'?

There was no additional clarification that I could see, so it seemed like parking there would be just as sketchy as parking in the staff lot or on the sidwalk - if anything, more expensive since I'd be paying for the parking as well as for any ticket I might get.

Anyone know whether this really means no bikes? Or does it just mean no trucks/pickups?
 
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Rideau Centre in Ottawa is "cars only" (sign as you come in).....I park there on the bike no problem and know several others that have.
 
I think it is more liability thing as gates can come down on bikes due to sensors. My condo has same sign and there is few bikes parked here. Gate opens and smacks you as you are passing by. They have opening in the middle and I use that and do not bother triggering the gate. As bikes can not trigger exit door they put button there so riders us that to get out.
 
^^^exactly in fact all parking gates these days come from the factory with big stickers on them.I work on the gates at a hospital where all lots are gated.Many lots will cut the gate arms short so a bike can enter and exit without having to go threw.Yes you still have to pay but you can ride around it.If you get hit it's on you not them but they still want your money.Even though we set the arm length short the hospital lets employees park their bikes in a little area next to the main door because some people wont do it.Some lots you pay to enter some as you leave. The gates have the trigger wires both in front and behind them and it may not see you coming and not open or can close on you if a car is in front of you so it's best to stop and wait a few seconds.Dropping your kickstand on the wire usually works and it shouldn't close until it picks you up on the other side
 
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I went to Canadian tire on yonge st near church (across from MTV) and as I rode in I see a sign that has no people and no bikes signs - i just took the ticket from the machine and quickly rode in. Parked motorcycle and then purchased what I came for from the store. On way back to bike I showed the receipt furor my purchase to the attendant and then on the way out i just rode around the short arms on the gates.
 
I ran into this the other day at the green p under Dundas square, but it explicitly said no bikes. I didn't see the sign until I was already down the ramp, but fortunately it wasn't too hard to get back out.

What's really annoying is that there is basically no mention of motorcycles on green p's website. They ought to list it with the stats for each individual lot.
 
kamper said:
I ran into this the other day at the green p under Dundas square, but it explicitly said no bikes. I didn't see the sign until I was already down the ramp, but fortunately it wasn't too hard to get back out.

What's really annoying is that there is basically no mention of motorcycles on green p's website. They ought to list it with the stats for each individual lot.
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The sign for no bikes is for the machine. That isn't a mandate by green p; the manufacturer doesn't suggest it because the sensors underneath are hit or miss for motorcycles. Someone mentioned that the gate might close on you - it won't at a green p lot because they aren't the same sensors that condos tend to use. There's a sensor beside the machine (which turns it on) and another one after it, which closes the gate. If the gate doesn't close, all you have to do is press the help button so they can close it manually/from the computer

tl;dr bikes are perfectly fine at green p lots.
 
Wheelieboy said:
I think it has something to do with the sensors for the gates not picking up your bike. Or them being worried about bikes riding by the gates.
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Germax said:
I think it is more liability thing as gates can come down on bikes due to sensors.
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Yep. Usually it's mostly because bikers won't pay to get out as they can usually find more creative ways.

The "arm" on the entrance to my work lot specifically says, "Cars only. No motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians." But there are several people with bikes that park in there. There is even at least one motorcycle specific spot in the back and that gate is the only way in. But that warning is pure liability since the lot is free and only our company has access.
 
kamper said:
I ran into this the other day at the green p under Dundas square, but it explicitly said no bikes. I didn't see the sign until I was already down the ramp, but fortunately it wasn't too hard to get back out.

What's really annoying is that there is basically no mention of motorcycles on green p's website. They ought to list it with the stats for each individual lot.
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Motorcycles are a minority. They don't care about us.
 
the parking machine sensors for the gate just don't pick up the bikes, but in most cases there is a short arm that you can ride around...i've never paid and never had a problem, they're main concern is liability. albeit, i have had the odd time with an over exuberant security guard, but just ignore them and move on, management will just tell them to shut up and mind their own business...
 
At the airport, I couldn't even get in as the sensor didn't recognize me. Hell, it wouldn't even issue me a ticket.. I rode in behind another car (a bit scary when the gate started to close) and had to have somebody review the security tape so I could pay on my way out.

P.S. There was no luggage involved, I was just seeing a friend off :cool:
 
When I was at the airport I used intercom and they asked for plate and opened gate after that. Same thing on payment, they look up that info and let you out.


FiReSTaRT said:
At the airport, I couldn't even get in as the sensor didn't recognize me. Hell, it wouldn't even issue me a ticket.. I rode in behind another car (a bit scary when the gate started to close) and had to have somebody review the security tape so I could pay on my way out.

P.S. There was no luggage involved, I was just seeing a friend off :cool:
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FiReSTaRT said:
At the airport, I couldn't even get in as the sensor didn't recognize me.
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You pressed the button, but the gate didn't open? Did you get the little ticket at least?
 
El Zilcho said:
You pressed the button, but the gate didn't open? Did you get the little ticket at least?
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1) I pressed the button but the sensor didn't pick up (that is done so people who park for like 3 hours don't walk over, pick up a fresh ticket and leave)
2) The gate didn't open, so I waved a car by and came in after him
3) No, I wasn't issued a ticket (explanation in part 1)
 
Usually those are two part, ticket and receipt, You leave half on the bike. You can also write your license plate on it or stick it on the license plate. That way someone who wants to trite you up will see it and rest of people probably not. In case if dispute you have other half to contest the ticket.


harald said:
For pay and display lots, there's no safe way to 'display' on most bikes...
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sounds to me like sensors need to be adjusted to pick up bikes or buttons need to be mandatory.
 
I park my bike in the underground garage at my office whenever I ride to work. I have a parking pass issued for my truck, so I use that for the bike as well. The entrance gate is fully automatic and you just wave the pass card at the sensor for the gate to open. The building management had placed some large potted plants near the gate for decorative purposes and they completely blocked the view of the "No Bikes / Pedestrians" sign. It wasn't until they moved the plants that I realized there even was a sign. By that time I figured what the hell, I have been parking in the garage for quite a while and haven't been smacked by the entrance or exit gates yet. It has been several seasons and two different building managers and no one has come to me and said I should not be parking in the garage.
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