Parking Ticket (Philadelphia Content)

datsun · Post by **datsun** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:06 am

OK, so, I guess it was inevitable, but today i got my first parking ticket.

Could someone please clarify the laws about parking a Buddy 50 on the sidewalk in Philadelphia. I was under the impression that it was legal to park the 50 at a bike rack. Is this true? Should I fight the power? Please enlighten me...

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:51 am

datsun wrote:OK, so, I guess it was inevitable, but today i got my first parking ticket.

Could someone please clarify the laws about parking a Buddy 50 on the sidewalk in Philadelphia. I was under the impression that it was legal to park the 50 at a bike rack. Is this true? Should I fight the power? Please enlighten me...

I don't know the specifics of Philly Law, but here's what folks do in NYC. Mount your plates using Velcro. When you get to work, pull the plate right off, stick it in your bag and go about your business.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:18 am

Check the manual for moped laws...it's possible your scooter was considered a motorcycle and not a moped. The Buddy 50 is a little larger than the Metro.

It would be worth checking into.

I'm guessing there isn't anything on the books about it.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:14 pm

Hey, datsun. I'm in Philly, and I find that the Hostile City Scooter Club's listserv is a great resource. You can join the group in order to read the many threads (linked below) regarding parking your scooter in Philly. It's a constant battle. Basically, fight your ticket at the Parking Authority, and it will 95% of the time get dismissed.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HostileCi ... ssage/7847

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HostileCi ... sage/19565

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HostileCi ... sage/19293

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HostileCi ... sage/16487

PS: Was that you I talked with while riding up Broad Street this morning?!

datsun · Post by **datsun** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:12 pm

Thanks for all the advice...

I couldn't get into the Hostile City SC Yahoo Group (The image verification does not display properly)

How illegal is it to take off plates. If I get caught doing it, what types of fines do I face. I'm just thinking that if I park in the same place everyday for work, and the meter reader sees the scoot everyday without plates, are they going to set up a "sting" to catch me as I leave work one day?

I do usually ride down Broad, but not this week, as I can't afford $40 tickets everyday...

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:50 pm

datsun wrote:Thanks for all the advice...

I couldn't get into the Hostile City SC Yahoo Group (The image verification does not display properly)

How illegal is it to take off plates. If I get caught doing it, what types of fines do I face. I'm just thinking that if I park in the same place everyday for work, and the meter reader sees the scoot everyday without plates, are they going to set up a "sting" to catch me as I leave work one day?

I do usually ride down Broad, but not this week, as I can't afford $40 tickets everyday...

Never heard of that problem with the board before. I guess e-mail the moderators? I'm just a member, and a n00b at that.

I've heard that a lot of the Philly people remove their plates. I have no idea "how illegal" it is...it's illegal, that's all I know. But does anyone get sniped in a sting? I doubt it, and I've near heard of such a thing. But then again, one never knows with the PPA.

Good luck with it all!

whattheheck · Post by **whattheheck** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:07 pm

The last time I was in Philly I saw 4 scooters AND a 250cc Honda motorcycle all chained or sitting next to the bike racks at the train station - all up on the sidewalk. No tickets that I could determine.

Maybe that is a safe zone?

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:43 pm

whattheheck wrote:The last time I was in Philly I saw 4 scooters AND a 250cc Honda motorcycle all chained or sitting next to the bike racks at the train station - all up on the sidewalk. No tickets that I could determine.

Maybe that is a safe zone?

There are no safe zones. It's totally arbitrary and up to the whims of the PPA officer who's walking a particular beat at any particular time. There's no laws on the books, so it's a real PITA to deal with the officers on the street. What we are supposed to do is either park "adjacent to a private building" or in the street, like a car (one scooter per space, etc.). Of course, there's nowhere to lock to if you're parked next to a building, so thieves (and believe me, there are PLENTY here) can just walk up and take your ride.

So what we all do is fight each and every ticket at traffic court. It sucks, but that's the process as it currently stands. There's several HCSC members who are working with city officials to change the laws, but it's been years now with no results.

Modern Buddy

Parking Ticket (Philadelphia Content)

Parking Ticket (Philadelphia Content)

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