[*BCM*] BU Removing Bicycles

[Jim Leonard]

On Mon, May 05, 2008 at 08:09:23PM +0000, Andrew Toomajian wrote:
> "Somerville and Cambridge have both stated where bicycles can be locked on public property in their laws (and they differ significantly)."
>  
> Hey Jim - Out of curiousity, what are the regs for Cambridge and Somerville?


I've posted this to the list before but here goes again:

Cambridge  Traffic, Parking & Transportation Regulations (http://www.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/tpat_regulations_sept_2007.pdf)

Sec. 12.9 BICYCLE PARKING ON THE PUBLIC WAY
(a) Bicycles are permitted to park against a building, street sign pole, or on a bicycle rack or other facility specifically intended for that purpose.
(b) Under no circumstances shall a bicycle obstruct the pedestrian path of travel or disability access ramps. A parked bicycle must leave at least 36 inches of an obstruction free path of travel.
(c) Bicycles are not permitted to be parked to: fire hydrants, hand railings, benches, trees, trash receptacles and parking meters.
(d) Bicycles shall not be parked longer than 72 consecutive hours at the same loction in any business district as defined in section 12.8.
(e) Bicycles in violation of the above regulations shall be tagged and removed immediately if presenting a public safety hazard as noted in section 12.9 (b) and given a 72-hour notice to remove for violations in section 12.9 (c) and (d). Removed bicycles shall be held by the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works for a minimum of 30 days.
(f) No motorized vehicles shall be parked on a bicycle rack or other facility specifically designed and intended for bicycle parking. Violators are subject to immediate removal from the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works or Police Department.



Somerville Traffic Regulations (http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/CoS_Content/documents/TrafficRegulations.pdf):

Section 13-8 Bicycle Parking
Bicycles may only be parked on a public way as hereinafter provided. Bicycles may be secured to existing public appurtenances, such as light poles, street signs, and parking meters. Where available, bicycles should be secured at bicycle parking facilities. Bicycles may not be secured to public shade trees or to other street furniture, such as benches or trash receptacles.  Bicycles not secured properly are subject to impoundment at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Bicycles properly secured which have not been moved in fifteen days may also be impounded. Bicycles secured in violation of this provision shall be subject to a penalty of fifteen dollars and/or impoundment.


Note that the city manager has publicly said in city hall meetings that it is not currently city policy to remove bicycles from parking meters unless the bicycle appears abandoned (he said this in response to a question from councilor Kelley about a month ago, I don't know if transcripts exist, it's just what I saw at the city council meeting).

--jim