Parking Crackdown in Midtown

[DeuceNYC]

I work in midtown and on the blocks surrounding my building are several bikes that are parked. Most have been there since May with no problem, today every single one of them was ticketed, myself included. License plate was removed but the VIN was visible, $115 for parking and $65 for not having a license plate.

One guy did have his VIN covered as well and got off with a parking violation envelope stuffed on his bike. I'm tempted to put electrical tape on the VIN and continue commuting but $180 is a pretty steep risk to take and if they continue to crackdown I'm sure they'll just bring a flatbed in one day. Any experience/thoughts?

[Howie]

I work in midtown and on the blocks surrounding my building are several bikes that are parked. Most have been there since May with no problem, today every single one of them was ticketed, myself included. License plate was removed but the VIN was visible, $115 for parking and $65 for not having a license plate.

One guy did have his VIN covered as well and got off with a parking violation envelope stuffed on his bike. I'm tempted to put electrical tape on the VIN and continue commuting but $180 is a pretty steep risk to take and if they continue to crackdown I'm sure they'll just bring a flatbed in one day. Any experience/thoughts?

Often, an obstructed or missing plate can save you from a ticket.  As you found out, this can lead to two tickets instead.  You could also be towed, as you guessed, and maybe not on a flat bed.  I would suggest parking somewhere else or taking mass transportation at least until things calm down.

[He Man]

I have good experience on this... so here goes..

A) Any Ticket issuing person can remove the sticker/goo/putty of the stem of the bike.
    i) A Cop is very likely to do it, a meter maid may or may not do it

B) Removing the plate will in most cases actually get you two tickets
    i) A cop will usually get the bike towed
    ii)A metermaid will usually just give you two tickets

C) A Cop/Metermaid's gun cannot ring up information about out of state bikes
    i) You can swap your license plate for an out of state plate.
    ii) You risk your bike being towed if parked in an awkward situation and fined/jailed for fraud
   
I've seen the flatbed thing happen. they will crane your bike up onto it along with the 10 other bikes they try to jam on it, throw a 50 foot steel chain and not give a shit about your bike. Not worth it. You can almost guarentee atleast 1 ticket a month if not more if you continue to park in the city. Better of spending it on a garage.

Ive fought 8 tickets this year alone.

[Pakhan]

[snip]
I've seen the flatbed thing happen. they will crane your bike up onto it along with the 10 other bikes they try to jam on it, throw a 50 foot steel chain and not give a shit about your bike.

Or the other unfortunate possibility 

[hydra]

Or the other unfortunate possibility 


[/quote

[Razzo Bolognese]

This picture actually hurts my feelings.  It that happened to me I'd be too sad to be mad



Dan