Current parking rules around Toronto

Joots

Joots

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I've seen a few threads on the coming changes to MC parking around the city, but what are the current rules about parking in Toronto? I've been trying to find some kind of general guidelines but haven't seen any around (I did try searching through the forum). I would still like to ride to work a few times before I let the season end, but I don't know where I can actually park my bike.

I know there's a 3 hour max parking rule for side streets, but I see certain bikes park on side streets around my work seemingly all day.

Being new to riding, and not having any friends who bike to work in the city, I don't really have anyone to ask except on here. Can someone enlighten me and everyone else wondering?
 
Pay and display is your friend. Look for these on the street.

Pay-Parking-sign-1-300x225.jpg


You can park your bike for free anyplace on the street that's using the pay and display system. On the street only, this doesn't include green P lots. There are no time limits in these areas (at least that I've ever seen). If there is a section of street that has parking restrictions, there'll always be signs indicating that. Have a good look up and down the street for no parking signs, or no parking between certain hours, or time limitations, that's where you get into trouble.

Pay and display are all over the place downtown. I find if I'm going to a new area of the city I'll sometimes take a few minutes on google streetview to look around and try and find a good spot before I leave. There is almost always enough room so squeeze into one of these, just make sure you leave enough room for the cars you're between to get out. Also if you can park beside another bike or two, that's even better.

Also, be careful about parking too close to the end of the allowed section. Unless you're bike is absolutely 100% on the good side of the post, they'll give you a ticket. The first day I rode my bike to work I tried to sneak in to the end of a zone, and only got about 60% in. I figured with the bike sideways it only took up an extra foot or so, but to parking enforcement you're either in or you're not.
 
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I believe you also have to park more or less 90 degrees to the curb too? If there's no time limit in the pay and display street parking, this means for other areas, it's the same 3 hour (or less if marked) limit as cars?

I just want to be sure I have this straight to avoid unneeded parking tickets.
 
Try to do what the other bikes in the area are doing. Approximately 45-60 degree angle from the curb so that when you pull out you go into the flow of traffic. If you park at 90 degrees, your bike may stick out too far, and you have to turn 90 degrees when pulling out. If you park parallel, a car that wants that spot may not see you until it pulls into the spot. Also, other riders will hate you for wasting space.

I park on the street all day and thankfully I've never been tagged for 3hr+. I do a walk-by once in a while to check for chalk-marks. YMMV. If you're really cautious, go move to a different spot every 3 hrs. :)
 
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