The Chainlink

Streetcleaning: double edged sword for cyclists...

who own motor vehicles.

What I dislike about streetcleaning, like many other city services, is its guise.  Yes, it's a necessary service, especially for cyclists.  It's this very sweeping of debris that keeps us from getting more frequent flats.  It seems we get screwed more often though.  Well at least those of us who own motor vehicles, since we tend to drive less and often park on the street.

I have come to terms with the fact that streetcleaning is a means to acquire revenue for the city.  Yes they are doing a service, but they are also counting on motorists not moving their vehicles so that they can collect revenue.  If everyone moved their vehicles accordingly, I am sure the mayor would be fairly upset.  It's this opportunistic behavior I hate, yes hate!  Kind of like that guy in the earlier thread.  The one about the abandoned bike...you know he didn't want the owner to claim the bike, so he could take it as his own.   

So as I stare out my window and look at that bright orange ticket splattered on my windshield, I am upset.  So much so that I gave myself a headache.  Not at having to pay, but at having forgotten to move my car yet again.  I feel like the guy from memento, hopefully I wont get run down by a (insert mode of transportation here) as I am wandering on the (insert location here) aimlessly in a senile stupor one day.  rant over.   

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Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on August 5, 2010 at 10:00am
I got tired of remembering to move my car for street-cleaning, too long parked, and whatever . . . so, I sold it, 20 years ago, still don't have a car.
Sell your car, stop worrying about tickets, stickers and auto-insurance.
Permalink Reply by Davo on August 5, 2010 at 10:07am
I thought he was talking about pens. But then think of all the trees the Bick riders kill.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Bick riders? I just vomited all over my keyboard. Oops.

Rick norris said:
Not really wanting to high jack too much, I thought this would be good place to remind all the bick riders as your doing a great job of cutting down on air pollution and stiking it to big oil companies, dont forget to move your car once every seven days..or you also can get a ticket, daleys way of rewarding you for being green.
Permalink Reply by thang van ung on August 5, 2010 at 12:43pm
additionally, wards does have services that will email you the cleaning schedule twice, 7days and 1day prior to the cleaning. go to your ward office and sign-up. there are plenty of services that people are IGNORANT of.

example of what ward 43rd (lincoln park/depaul) sent on july 23rd and july 29th:
Route #1
July 30, 2009

Dayton (Wrightwood to Diversey) West Side
Halsted (Fullerton to Diversey) West Side
Mildred (Wrightwood to Diversey) West Side
Racine (Fullerton to Lill) East Side
Seminary (Fullerton to Lill) West Side
Sheffield (Fullerton to Diversey) East Side
Wilton (Wrightwood to Diversey) West Side


Joe TV said:
Just scanned this thread and didn't see this, but forgive me if I'm being redundant. This is absolutely an idea whose time has come.

City-issued text message reminders before street cleaning.

http://theexpiredmeter.com/?p=6710
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 5, 2010 at 12:48pm
Adriana said:
If this were the case, only those who own property could afford to own motor vehicles. All businesses would need parking lots. What about private social gatherings? Vehicles would be reserved for the elite, but they would not cease to exist.

Sounds like a good start. Bring it on.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 5, 2010 at 12:59pm
Not true. Renters could rent a parking space just like a lot of renters do today. Also, businesses don't need parking lots, just like they don't today. We still have street parking, but it should be metered.

Not that much would change from today really

Adriana said:
If this were the case, only those who own property could afford to own motor vehicles. All businesses would need parking lots. What about private social gatherings? Vehicles would be reserved for the elite, but they would not cease to exist.

T.C. O'Rourke said:
Adriana said:
Huh...are you saying there should not be any public parking at all? !

Yes, that is what I'm saying. The roadway is public space set aside to enable the movement of people between private properties. TRAVEL. A goodly portion of this public space is taken up by motorists storing their personal vehicles, to the detriment of the system.

And removing parking from the street would open up all sorts of space for wider sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 5, 2010 at 3:04pm
No. Because residential streets don't typically have businesses on them. That is why they are called residential to begin with.

Adriana said:
Should there be metered parking on residential streets?

Duppie said:
Not true. Renters could rent a parking space just like a lot of renters do today. Also, businesses don't need parking lots, just like they don't today. We still have street parking, but it should be metered.

Not that much would change from today really

Adriana said:
If this were the case, only those who own property could afford to own motor vehicles. All businesses would need parking lots. What about private social gatherings? Vehicles would be reserved for the elite, but they would not cease to exist.

T.C. O'Rourke said:
Adriana said:
Huh...are you saying there should not be any public parking at all? !

Yes, that is what I'm saying. The roadway is public space set aside to enable the movement of people between private properties. TRAVEL. A goodly portion of this public space is taken up by motorists storing their personal vehicles, to the detriment of the system.

And removing parking from the street would open up all sorts of space for wider sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on August 5, 2010 at 3:07pm
So then I would expect all the bikes that are locked up outside on public sidewalks - intended for pedestrian transport, not private bike storage - should have their locks cut and the bikes should be impounded. Unless you rent that public spot or it's your property.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 5, 2010 at 3:55pm
And exactly what charity in its right mind would accept money raised from an orgy? :)

(I tried to resist.)

Adriana said:
shopping orgy? What about a charity orgy? Charity is not measured in money, but in that which is intangible and not tax deductible.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 5, 2010 at 4:31pm
Children's Memorial Hospital has multiple fund-raisers each year based on automobile glorification (blue plate dinner at the auto show, auto raffles/silent auctions)-- even though cars are the leading killer of children in this country. Maybe someone should suggest fund-raising orgies to them?
Permalink Reply by Old Tom on August 5, 2010 at 6:00pm
The streets are for whatever purposes the electorate and their representatives decide. That includes parking.
Permalink Reply by heather s on August 5, 2010 at 6:14pm
Sometimes the electorate makes bad decisions.

Old Tom said:
The streets are for whatever purposes the electorate and their representatives decide. That includes parking.
Permalink Reply by Carl on August 5, 2010 at 6:18pm
I know the pain. It took me ten years of grumbling and check-writing in Chicago, but it finally convinced me to give up owning a car, and other than a few inconveniences here and there, I'm so much happier without that damn pain-in-the-ass thing!

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