[*BCM*] BU Removing Bicycles

[Curran, Caitlin]

Has anyone here ever had their bike removed for being locked to a
parking meter, tree, etc.?

-----Original Message-----
From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Jim Leonard
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 5:11 PM
To: Boston Critical Mass
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] BU Removing Bicycles

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_regul
ations_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
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