Don’t you hate when you see a car parked half a car-length from the vehicle ahead and half a length from the vehicle behind — just perfectly positioned to deny you the spot you are due by birthright?
Well, someone hated that so much that they’re giving out prizes! They apparently printed out an “prize” in two colors (and you know how quickly HP makes that red ink run out so you have to buy another one for $30) and then wrote extra remarks on top of it, placing it on the windshield of a car on 103rd and Riverside. It’s a nice judge-y moment just in time for the holidays.
As our tipster points out, unless our moral policeman actually witnessed the car being parked, he or she has no idea why the car is in that position — the other cars may have moved and caused the resulting awkward parking job. “Someone is leaving notes on cars on Riverside Drive WITHOUT knowing details of parking near intersections or near other cars. It is not their responsibility to police parking.”
For those of you who love passive-aggression, here’s another very fine example.
But you never know what size space it was when someone parked–could have been juuuuust right.
The doormen on my street pull the 2 spaces, 1 car move all the time so that their “clients” cars can get preferential parking. It works out well (I’m on of the clients).
Right, Mac…and that’s super annoying to us drivers who don’t have that luxury and who see that and struggle with parking.
Enjoy being smug.
They should have told you at the DMV…in NYC all’s fair in Love, War and Parking.
It really is dog eat dog. People really shouldn’t have cars in this city anyway so I can rationalize it. Just start walking or take a bus, etc. Cheaper too
Yes, this is a common move. Happens at my building too.
However, sometimes I do it just for fun…i’m not a nice person. sorry not sorry
Might have been a motorcycle in between the cars when they pulled in. Indignation can cause injuries.
Have seen many motorcycles parked in such a way to “reserve” a space.
Have also seen drivers looking for a spot, get out of their vehicle, move said motorcycle, park and then put the bike back parked correctly, in between cars/parallel to curb.
…and if I see someone move my motorcycle without permission I will get into their car (without permission) and move it to a place that I deem more convenient for me.
where do you park your motorcycle? you know, so I can avoid it. you sound like a pretty scary and tough guy and i sure wouldn’t like you to take my car out for a spin without my permission.
in fact that would probably be grand theft auto which is illegal, at least in the USA but maybe not the UWS.
It’s like a big socialist commune up here, everyone can take each others stuff, drive each others cars and do whatever. ya man groovy
Don’t know why many seem to think Manhattan residents do not drive and or own motor vehicles. Over the past decade or so on the UWS, UES and elsewhere finding parking (especially overnight that is good for street cleaning next day) is becoming more and more of a challenge.
Part of the problem is the various methods o whatever doormen, garage attendants and others use to “reserve” parking spaces. Last time one checked the City owns the streets, not a particular building or individual.
In no particular order:
Those “Please Do Not Block Our Entrance” signs doormen put out in front of buildings.
Orange cones, Con Ed/construction saw horses or anything else used to “reserve” parking for building residents.
Curb in front of building painted yellow as to infer it is a “No Parking” zone.
Physician and other parking permit cards abused.
A co-worker lives in a condo on the UES where some car with “MD” plates and permit card has been parked near the hydrant in front of her building for nearly two months. It hasn’t moved (even for street cleaning) and has zero tickets. NYPD or traffic enforcement pass by, look at the permit card/plates and then keep on keeping on. She was calling 311 to see why this is so since those permit cards are supposed to be for doctors on active emergency call, not overnight/long term parking.
Between CitiBike, bike lanes and pedestrian plazas more and more parking spaces are beign lost. Meanwhile finding what is left becomes an ordeal as it seems everyone is out for themselves.
Well, statistics are probably why people think that. Less than 25% of household on the UWS own a car according to the DMV.
I had a doorman on the UES come running out and tell me to move my car from in front of his building because he has a “DOT permit.” Go get it I said. He shut up fast.
Don’t forget moving the parking signs –
A couple of weeks ago the Milburn Hotel on W76 St replaced a couple squares of concrete by the curb and the hotel loading zone sign magically grew by about 15 feet.
If this is true you can file a complaint with the City.
Once lived near a new residential “luxury” co-op that promptly painted the curb in front of their building yellow (no parking). One complaint to DOB and a few weeks later the yellow was painted over to gray.
Totally true about The Milburn Hotel.
Who to complain to?
311 is kind of a joke.
Remember what happens when you assume…
The rear bumper of my car was hit and dented by the car parked behind my car, with adequate room between vehicles. (The paint color left on my bumper was the same as the car I saw parked there.) Since no note was left and I didn’t have license plate information, it cost me and my insurance more than $2000 to replace the bumper. My front bumper was hit by an unknown vehicle. That time the damage was buffed out. My problem has been cars parking too close to other cars NOT too far apart. Without the size of parking spaces being marked, the distance between cars will vary. No notes on windshields are needed.
Well that is another worry. The no small number of persons who drive into and or are even from NYC that do not know how to parallel park. Worst are those who will try their best to make their vehicle “fit” into a space by *nudging* the bumpers of cars in front or back of them.
Some of the worse parking I’ve seen is by those who use Zipcars and other car share schemes. In fact their driving often isn’t that great either. This probably goes a long way in explaining why car share vehicles often look so busted up.
While I empathize with you, I have become resigned to the fact that if you keep and street-park a car in NYC (or most any big urban city), bumps, dings and scratches on and to your bumper is the price you pay. I would never consider getting a nice car and street-park it here. (And I would never pay $2000 to fix a dented bumper, and then continue street parking it…))
Vehicles vary in size, so, that wouldn’t do the trick.
If you can’t afford a garage you shouldn’t have a car.
Garage prices have shot up over the past few years. That is if you can find one at all; far to many have been torn down and replaced by luxury housing, West 77th near Broadway comes to mind.
Most of the open air parking lots below 23rd Street are gone as well for the same reason.
also on 87th between WE and Broadway…just demo’ed that sucker…waking me up every morning at 7:30am but thats another topic.
Here’s the deal though:
We don’t want your cars here…or downtown or anywhere. This is an urban center..a centralized business district (CBD) if you will. The more housing and less parking wasting space the better.
And now you know…
I’m a part time ” Newbie” to the UWS. I love this neighborhood but very confused by parking. Is it
” legal” for cars to double park until they move to other side of street when alternate side parking ends? Do they do this overnight ? What about the cars that are potentially blocked in? Any insite to navigating the alternate side parking rules, both official and unofficial will greatly be appreciated. Thanks neighbors!
Alternate side is a pain in the neck and the key reason most NYers do not own cars. To deal , there are a few strategies.
First, is double parking. It is technically a violation. However, the police in many areas tacitly approve if you double park for no more than the 1.5 hour restriction period set forth on the sign. If you double park for longer, you will get a ticket. Of course, you need to be home all day, or have a super/doorman who can do it for you. Otherwise, you cannot do it. As an aside, if you block in a car, you need to be around (or your super/doorman) to hear them honk (or leave a note with a tel #), in order to move your car so they can pull out. And you have to be around to move your car our of the way if the street sweeper comes down the block.
Second strategy is the “sit and wait” (or pay someone to do it). You move your car to a spot that is restricted, but sit in your car until the 1.5 hours are up. For this you need to have 30-60 minutes to spare (many people catch up on their sleep or work/read while waiting).
Third strategy – garage.
So, you either need time or money to make it work…
Karen, welcome to the UWS.
You’re legally allowed to Double Park when following Alternate Side Parking rules. The etiquette is this, on your dashboard you leave the phone number where you can be contacted in the event that someone wants to get out or if some wide truck wants to get by.
Another piece of advice, be sure to park NO LESS than 15 away from a hydrant. Manhattan uses 15′; whereas, outer boroughs use 12′.
If you’re ever uncertain on parking rules or regulations, ask a DOT Officer or a fellow neighbor.
Double parking during street cleaning hours is at the discretion of the local precinct. It’s not a law.
Double parking in NYC is *ILLEGAL* period, and that includes alternate side street parking days.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking-regulations.shtml
http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/faq/309/can-i-double-park-when-asp-is-in-effect
Stop using words like “allowed” “legal” or whatever as it is not only confusing to new residents and or the informed, but just flat out incorrect information. People read such advice, double park, and either are told to move by NYPD/parking enforcement, or worse; slip away from their vehicle for a moment and return to find a ticket.
All this being said on the UWS there is a huge feeling of “do as I say, not as I do”.
There is or was an “unofficial” policy from local NYPD that “allows” double parking on street cleaning days, but that is not written in stone and does not change laws. If a parking enforcement or NYPD officer indeed writes a ticket, then that is that. It will have to be paid.
OTOH residents of UWS complain bitterly about double parking around the Muslim cultural center on 72nd and Riverside.
https://www.westsiderag.com/2015/07/03/police-and-religious-leaders-discuss-a-dicey-double-parking-issue
This meanwhile as plenty of parents (or their drivers) double or even triple park around area schools during drop off and pick-up times.
Hi Karen. You are allowed to double park during alternate side street parking as a courtesy. So for instance if there is no parking between 11:00-12:30 you can double park beforehand, wait till 11:00 to leave your car, & leave your phone number written on a piece of paper on your dash board for blocked cars to contact you just in case.
You then return to park your car usually around 12:00 or 1/2 hr. And re-park it, before end of alternate side parking and remain in car till time is up- I.e. 12:30.
Wait time varies with each block or Ave..
PS not everyone can afford a garage but needs the use of their car. A garage on the UWS can cost $700 per month or more
People don’t double-park overnight. They do that (unofficially) just before the time the street cleaners go through, and sit in their cars until the cleaners pass, and then return to their original spaces. It’s inconvenient unless you work from home or park on a street that gets cleaned really early.
Make the city vehicle free zone, except for delivery and taxi,
“A” for effort.
too funny !! !
One day , you’ll find the author of this note beaten to a pulp , lying in a pool of blood with their brains scrambled , but for now this is great
I have parked my car on the street for years. I have always wondered if people who take up a spot and a half after alternate side are stupid or just rude.Another thing I don’t understand is when my lovely neighbors double park they can’t leave a phone number in the window of their auto’s. I have double parked for the last thirty year and have never left my car without leaving a phone #,if you keep your # on a piece of paper, it really only takes one second to place it in the window. Years ago many people did leave #’s, but today virtually no one does.Once again are they rude or just stupid.
I spend many hours on Sat and Sun looking for a parking space and I’ve noticed that so many spots get taken up by the bridge and tunnel people. Has anyone ever suggested having resident-only streets, with permits given out to city residents? We certainly pay enough in taxes. The bridge and tunnel folks can pay for parking, either metered on the avenues or in parking garages. I used to live in Seattle for university and my neighborhood had this system for side street parking.
Often persons taking up “two parking” spots are doing so to hold one of them open for someone else. Maybe the wife/spouse who is home all day is *reserving* a spot for hubby/spouse when they get home from wherever.
Doormen and other building workers use that trick all the time to save spots for workers due to arrive for next shift, and or residents who tip handsomely as a reward.
If you look at monthly garage prices in Manhattan, even if someone tips a doorman or porter one-third to one-quarter that yearly some they still come out ahead.
They do this in Jersey City and Hoboken.
Works well for the residents, but they also have decent priced municipal parking garages for visitors.
How do you know they are “B&T” people.
If you are going by license plates alone that is not a good indication.
First despite laws to the contrary many new residents of NYS still keep their vehicles registered in New Jersey or Conn where insurance rates are cheaper.
Next, plenty of New York car rental/share places have vehicles with NJ/out of state plates.
It seems like having a car in Manhattan and parking it on the street is a great way to set yourself up for aggravation, frustration, anger, and wasting time. To each their own, but no thanks.
Some moron blocked me in without a telephone number–lucky for her she happened to pass by—she was 2 mins away from having 4 flat tires—ALWAYS LEAVE A NOTE—FYI
Four flat tires? Thats a bit harsh. I never do more than 2.
Hanlon’s Razor: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”
It is interesting and important that this issue be discussed. I live on the upper west side and have noticed and experienced all the problems and quirks that are expressed here. One of the problems is that those making the parking rules don’t drive and don’t live here, and the city is making parking even more difficult by reducing the number of parking spaces new buildings are required to have. That creates a supply and demand cycle that increases the amount residents must pay to park their cars in a private garage.
I believe that one way to accommodate all is Resident parking. I have long fought for resident parking on the upper west side not only because we live and pay taxes in the city, and is a huge source of revenue for the city. None of our elected officials want this and they have excuses but none are valid.
The store owners don’t want resident parking and contractor’s don’t like it because they say it’ll effect their businesses, but the city makes good money from taxes charged by garages for short term parking.
Then again we have all these little annoyances like doormen taking up multiple spots for their co-workers and/or favored shareholders. Those that take up 2 spots because they are oblivious nasty or they don’t want someone to scratch their bumpers. Commercial vehicles and workers put an orange cone on their vehicles. Police and unhandicapped handicapped stickers proliferate.
Then of course there are special interest groups. Take Manhattan Day School for example. They take about 10 spots from
7 am to 5 pm. for staff parking. Reality says that to accommodate the STAFF why shouldn’t parking be from 7-9 or 10? On Friday’s during the late fall and winter the school CLOSES at 2, yet the parking is prohibited. In the summer they operate a camp and schools closed but they still get the parking.
I do think that part of the problem is that residents of the UWS don’t participate in places like the CB 7’s transportation committee meetings, or the 20th Pct council meetings and this is where groups gain an audience. We need to meet, discuss, and understand that we vote in this neighborhood. Politician’s Do