-D-
Banned
Read what I wrote again.
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heres the names of councilors that voted to end our free parking
- Thread starter David.stylemaster
- Start date
Read what I wrote again.
awyala
Guest
Ok guys, so I have a lunch date with concilor Matlow, whom as you recall from earlier in the thread is a "good guy" who I may have prematurely jumped on. He is the one who Fastar (or whatever) pointed out had the clause to "review the monetization of the pilot scheme at the end of the trial period" removed, so essentially it remains as a pilot with no commitment to charging motorbikes.
As I have pointed out, it is a slippery slope from my experience in London, which I now understand has more than just the borough of Westminster charging. Camden is now also charging with a 3rd borough considering it. Coincidently Westminster and Camden from my experience had the highest council (property / rental) tax in London! It is no surprise they have led the charge.
So, I am opening the floor to serious legit suggestions to table with the councilor as I see this as a good opportunity to speak from the heart and from a biker's point of view face to face.
I must say I am delighted to have had him take me up on my offer!
If there is anything that must be said....let rip!
*Edit* - Sadly it won't be face to face. It will be a phone call at 12:15 this Friday Oct 25th. Time to prepare!
As I have pointed out, it is a slippery slope from my experience in London, which I now understand has more than just the borough of Westminster charging. Camden is now also charging with a 3rd borough considering it. Coincidently Westminster and Camden from my experience had the highest council (property / rental) tax in London! It is no surprise they have led the charge.
So, I am opening the floor to serious legit suggestions to table with the councilor as I see this as a good opportunity to speak from the heart and from a biker's point of view face to face.
I must say I am delighted to have had him take me up on my offer!
If there is anything that must be said....let rip!
*Edit* - Sadly it won't be face to face. It will be a phone call at 12:15 this Friday Oct 25th. Time to prepare!
Last edited:
northyorkguy
Well-known member
just wondering, when does this no more free parking take effect, is it already in effect as of now...
since i don't know whether or not i'd get a ticket for parking on the street now?
thanks
since i don't know whether or not i'd get a ticket for parking on the street now?
thanks
triniboy27
Well-known member
How'd the call go?
awyala
Guest
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys...I have had this rabbid frothing monkey on my back called "work" for the past few weeks!
Anyways, Fastar and I had a meet the night before the call with the councilor and we had a great chat. His vibe and approach were different than mine but we agreed on a way in which he would sit in on the call and pip in at some point. The call turned out to be a great one and the next step is very much in line with Fastar's more political approach.
In terms of the more casual approach Josh was right on board which was refreshing and surprising. He truly is "the good guy"
The call was a quick 15 mins and I rambled out my points and when Josh responded it was pretty much all in the affirmative: Summary of the key points below:
1) To clarify Josh Matlow's position: Josh was AGAINST the motion. He explained that there was a summer polic blitz on scooters parking on the sidewalks where they had been previously lax. However he saw the logic in pushing them right back onto the street as being worse for congestion and taking up parking spaces.
2) To be absolutely clear he is 100% against fees for motorcycle parking.
3) He does not feel the txt based pay parking scheme is feasible / viable through this pilot and agreed with me that it would only make sense even as a pilot if it was across the board as is the case in London, which then defeats the purpose of income generation from the bike population as it pales to the potential car income which would also fund the infrastructure. Either way a moot point in this bike bay trial scheme.
4) In terms of polution and congestion he is right on board with the bikers cause / rationale and understands that targeting any alternative to the car such as motorcycles is defeatist. He is also pushing to have HOV lanes open to bikes (this last point I was a little fuzzy in recalling so don't hold me to it)
* Fastar pipped in with a couple questions at this point in terms of tabulating costs and justifying the scheme to which Josh reconfimed in summary and added:
5) The technology and buroucracy is not worth the investiment.
6) Scooters and bikes are a great alternative to cars and as he added, they are much less wear and tear on Toronto's ailing road networks!
7) He also has family who ride and is quite familiar with bike culture (which was contrary to my understanding at the time).
We left off asking Josh, now that we are all on the same side, what can the biker community do to support him (our appartent champion) in the cause and that I would follow up with an email to that effect to spare his busy schedule that day.
I am just pinging that off now, so I should have an update in the near future.
Genrally speaking I was very impressed with the man and politician!
Fastar got anything to add?
Anyways, Fastar and I had a meet the night before the call with the councilor and we had a great chat. His vibe and approach were different than mine but we agreed on a way in which he would sit in on the call and pip in at some point. The call turned out to be a great one and the next step is very much in line with Fastar's more political approach.
In terms of the more casual approach Josh was right on board which was refreshing and surprising. He truly is "the good guy"
The call was a quick 15 mins and I rambled out my points and when Josh responded it was pretty much all in the affirmative: Summary of the key points below:
1) To clarify Josh Matlow's position: Josh was AGAINST the motion. He explained that there was a summer polic blitz on scooters parking on the sidewalks where they had been previously lax. However he saw the logic in pushing them right back onto the street as being worse for congestion and taking up parking spaces.
2) To be absolutely clear he is 100% against fees for motorcycle parking.
3) He does not feel the txt based pay parking scheme is feasible / viable through this pilot and agreed with me that it would only make sense even as a pilot if it was across the board as is the case in London, which then defeats the purpose of income generation from the bike population as it pales to the potential car income which would also fund the infrastructure. Either way a moot point in this bike bay trial scheme.
4) In terms of polution and congestion he is right on board with the bikers cause / rationale and understands that targeting any alternative to the car such as motorcycles is defeatist. He is also pushing to have HOV lanes open to bikes (this last point I was a little fuzzy in recalling so don't hold me to it)
* Fastar pipped in with a couple questions at this point in terms of tabulating costs and justifying the scheme to which Josh reconfimed in summary and added:
5) The technology and buroucracy is not worth the investiment.
6) Scooters and bikes are a great alternative to cars and as he added, they are much less wear and tear on Toronto's ailing road networks!
7) He also has family who ride and is quite familiar with bike culture (which was contrary to my understanding at the time).
We left off asking Josh, now that we are all on the same side, what can the biker community do to support him (our appartent champion) in the cause and that I would follow up with an email to that effect to spare his busy schedule that day.
I am just pinging that off now, so I should have an update in the near future.
Genrally speaking I was very impressed with the man and politician!
Fastar got anything to add?
M
mlc
Guest
Really? In Southern Ontario a passenger vehicle is $90, while a motorcycle is $42.
matt220
Well-known member
So are we still allowed to park in non motorcycle designated spaces free when they start making the designated spots? Motorcyclists should just take up all the car spots in protest.
I spoke with my councillor about it the other day.
She said:
1) That she is in support of cheaper parking for motorcycles but that nothing in life is free,
2) That in her understanding the sole reason that the parking became free was because it was impossible to ensure that bikes that paid for parking were not ticked after the slip blew away or was stolen,
3) That because the vote was so overwhelming in support of exploring the pilot, that no one will step up to try to turn it around,
4) That its a pilot, not a clear end to free parking,
5) That they're considering 25%-50% of the car parking fee.
I told her that the revenues collected from this project, even if fully implemented, will be insignificant for the city but very significant for the few who it impacts. I told her that Toronto's infrastructure is being stretched as is, and I thought that councellors should be looking for ways to reduce the strain, not increase it. I told her that in my mind charging for parking discourages motorcycle commuting.
I can put together spread sheets and docs arguing why parking should remain free for bikes, not because of slips blowing away but because its the right thing for the city, but while she listened, she wasnt interested in considering a reverse of stance. I think that if anyone wants to have an impact, you need to find someone who is on our side.
Some things to consider:
1) Car parking on the street is limited to a max of 3hrs before a new slip needs to be bought. Will bikes be able to park all day?
2) How many stations are there going to be and how many bikes will they hold? Are we guaranteed places to park if they underestimate the spots required? How do they know how many bikes park downtown now?
3) Cost per station - what is payback to the city? I cant imagine that it will be quick.
She said:
1) That she is in support of cheaper parking for motorcycles but that nothing in life is free,
2) That in her understanding the sole reason that the parking became free was because it was impossible to ensure that bikes that paid for parking were not ticked after the slip blew away or was stolen,
3) That because the vote was so overwhelming in support of exploring the pilot, that no one will step up to try to turn it around,
4) That its a pilot, not a clear end to free parking,
5) That they're considering 25%-50% of the car parking fee.
I told her that the revenues collected from this project, even if fully implemented, will be insignificant for the city but very significant for the few who it impacts. I told her that Toronto's infrastructure is being stretched as is, and I thought that councellors should be looking for ways to reduce the strain, not increase it. I told her that in my mind charging for parking discourages motorcycle commuting.
I can put together spread sheets and docs arguing why parking should remain free for bikes, not because of slips blowing away but because its the right thing for the city, but while she listened, she wasnt interested in considering a reverse of stance. I think that if anyone wants to have an impact, you need to find someone who is on our side.
Some things to consider:
1) Car parking on the street is limited to a max of 3hrs before a new slip needs to be bought. Will bikes be able to park all day?
2) How many stations are there going to be and how many bikes will they hold? Are we guaranteed places to park if they underestimate the spots required? How do they know how many bikes park downtown now?
3) Cost per station - what is payback to the city? I cant imagine that it will be quick.
-D-
Banned
Why do you ppl think you can park your bike on the streets for free?
She is right. They are out to make money.
A bike and car is still a motor vehicle.
Should they charge scooters a lower rates and motorcycles since they are smaller?
Stop arguing with them. You are wasting your time. The vast majority 95% of them do not like bikes. They want moneyyyyy.
Start parking a bunch of bikes like a car and occupy the entire street.
She is right. They are out to make money.
A bike and car is still a motor vehicle.
Should they charge scooters a lower rates and motorcycles since they are smaller?
Stop arguing with them. You are wasting your time. The vast majority 95% of them do not like bikes. They want moneyyyyy.
Start parking a bunch of bikes like a car and occupy the entire street.
Face
Well-known member
Yes, until the next report comes out. That will either be a review of how well the pilot program has worked, or a report related to implementing pay-by-plate, either City-wide or in the dedicated m/c spaces.
If theyre out to make money, charging for motorcycle parking is not the way to do it. Forgetting about the fact that motorcycles reduce the strain on the infrastructure, which saves them money, the upfront costs of this program are likely to be a burdon for awhile, costing them money again.
They shouldnt be free because they take up less space, they should be free because theyre very helpful to our significant traffic problem.
awyala
Guest
The councilor's office response to my query as to what we can do to support him:
Dear Ali,
Thanks for following up with Councillor Matlow. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. It is taking some time to catch up with all the messages we received while the mayor was making international headlines.
In October, City Council directed Transportation Services to create designated on-street motorcycle parking spaces on a pilot basis. I am not sure that any advocacy will be necessary until we see the pilot spaces and then your community can evaluate whether they are useful or not. Did Councillor Matlow raise any specific issues during your phone conversation?
Sincerely,
Brent
Brent Gilliard
Special Assistant to Councillor Matlow
Policy, Legislation, and Planning
Tel: (416) 338-5253 :: Fax: (416) 392-0124
100 Queen St. W Suite A17 :: Toronto, Ontario :: M5H 2N2
City of Toronto, Ward 22 St. Paul's
www.joshmatlow.ca
Get ready to let the comments to the city fly when you see the pilot scheme on the streets! Stay keen, sharp and active folks!
Dear Ali,
Thanks for following up with Councillor Matlow. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. It is taking some time to catch up with all the messages we received while the mayor was making international headlines.
In October, City Council directed Transportation Services to create designated on-street motorcycle parking spaces on a pilot basis. I am not sure that any advocacy will be necessary until we see the pilot spaces and then your community can evaluate whether they are useful or not. Did Councillor Matlow raise any specific issues during your phone conversation?
Sincerely,
Brent
Brent Gilliard
Special Assistant to Councillor Matlow
Policy, Legislation, and Planning
Tel: (416) 338-5253 :: Fax: (416) 392-0124
100 Queen St. W Suite A17 :: Toronto, Ontario :: M5H 2N2
City of Toronto, Ward 22 St. Paul's
www.joshmatlow.ca
Get ready to let the comments to the city fly when you see the pilot scheme on the streets! Stay keen, sharp and active folks!
GentlemanRacer
Well-known member
The city won't make much from the parking fees, it's the fine revenue from tickets they want because that's where the real money is.
Let's keep this thread alive until the election and see if we can swing votes against anti-motorcycle politicians.
The "nothing in life is free" argument is obnoxious given that we have already paid for it and more through taxes.
Let's keep this thread alive until the election and see if we can swing votes against anti-motorcycle politicians.
The "nothing in life is free" argument is obnoxious given that we have already paid for it and more through taxes.
-D-
Banned
Read your last lines. To a on rider, people would simply say you want to use the space on the road to park then pay for it.
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