Vancouver is not a friendly motorcycle city. While the Parking Nazi's mostly turn a blind eye to bikes parked at corners (on the painted striped area) or in lanes where they are out of the way of pedestrians or auto traffic, there are virtually NO spaces set aside for bikes. That includes public streets, parks or shopping centres or malls.

While living in Florida 10 years ago, you could find bike parking in almost every mall - right by the entrances. And also fairs and expositions had parking set aside. Not here, for sure.

Maybe things are looking up, though. My local mega-drugstore was recently remodeled, and when I went by last night, I found the sign (pictured below) that fits us (me AND my Co-Pilot) perfectly. She drives a SMART car.

What's it like in YOUR town?

Parking Sign.jpg (88KB - 0 downloads)

Our Smart.jpg (98KB - 0 downloads)

RedRider - 2010-04-25 9:47 AM I figured Don carried the sign with him and stuck it where he needed parking the day before. :P

 NOPE! Here's the two of them with the sign on the wall....

Smart and Vision sm.jpg (84KB - 0 downloads)

Smart and Vision 2.jpg (85KB - 0 downloads)

RedRider - 2010-04-25 9:47 AM I figured Don carried the sign with him and stuck it where he needed parking the day before. :P

NAH... Here are some photos of the sign that I DO carry with me:

Vision Parking (1).jpg (41KB - 1 downloads)

Vision Parking (2).jpg (93KB - 0 downloads)

Vision Parking (3).jpg (99KB - 0 downloads)

Vision Parking (4).jpg (91KB - 0 downloads)

Looks like someone here in Vancouver is trying to do something about Bike Parking.  Here is a story that was run in yesterday's paper:

Motorcyclists to protest with mass ride in Vancouver on May 1
 
Motorcyclists will hold a mass ride on May 1 to push for more parking for their bikes in Vancouver.
They will gather at 7:45 a.m. in the east parking lot of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and proceed en masse to a central location downtown with high visibility and a high demand for parking.
They will each then occupy a parking spot to illustrate their need.
Vancouver resident and sometime motorcyclist Paul Brighton says more parking is "definitely" needed and he's mulling joining the rally.
The bikers have a powerful ally in Ian Tootill, the man who helped kill photo radar in B.C. through the group he co-founded — Safety Through Education Not Speed Enforcement.
Tootill has a bike and a scooter and is continually frustrated when he tries to find a place to park.
Tootill thinks bikes deserve a parking break, specifically in the triangle of space between an intersection and where meters begin.
"If we're trying to reduce vehicle traffic on the street, this [encouraging motorcycles] is a step in the right direction," said Tootill.
"I take a fraction of the space, I consume a fraction of the fuel, I emit a fraction of the carbon and I can park in a seventh of the space required by an average motor vehicle," he said.
Tootill persuaded COPE Coun. David Cadman to bring a motion to Vancouver city council last October, asking that the non-used triangle be given to bikers. The motion was referred to staff, who initially recommended the spots be given to zero-emission electric scooters but still haven't issued a final report.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/cars/Motorcyclists+protest+with+mass+ride+Vancouver/2959612/story.html#ixzz0mWve8l1U

I will be there and will report back what I learn, and what results, if any - we get from this action.

Wish us luck !

RedDog - 2010-05-02 6:21 AM Donetracey, Your area looks beautiful!!!! Looks like a very scenic area to ride. On a side note, I can't see why people would want a smart car, when a VW diesel is larger, with better fuel economy. Maybe they are different up there, but I'll take my Jetta TDI over a smart car anyday. LOL

SMART cars are now 3cyl 70hp Gas powered  - and WAY cheaper to run than a Jetta TDI (my daughter owns one). And for the price of your VW - I could buy 3 SMARTS, thus having 6 doors, 6 seats, 12 tires, ... well, you get it.