If you drive a motorcycle or a scooter, then certainly you know of the pains associated with street parking. Not only do you first have to deal with actually finding a parking spot for your compact vehicle, but you also run the additional risk of getting ticketed. Well, good news! Yesterday, Curb Ninja launched its crowd-sourcing app, which allows users to find and share parking spots for two-wheeled vehicles
“Living in the city, you learn where all of the best places to stash your bike on the street are, especially for free. I found myself taking pictures of my bike in these spots to thwart possible tickets, and then mapping them for personal use,” said CurbNinja cofounder, Tim Hines, in a statement. “CurbNinja was born out of that mapping idea. We created the ability for users to share these spots with millions of riders across the country in turn saving them the hassles of city parking.”
CurbNinja, available on Android & iPhone (and Blackberry) is available on your phone's App Shoppe (Google Play or App Store).
I recently returned from a 10-day visit to the United Kingdom. Our party of three rented motorcycles and began our journey north from London to Fort William, Scotland.
Prior to our arrival in the U.K., we were already aware that motorcyclists and taxis can use bus lanes in some cities. This helps ease congestion and saves fuel.
We also knew that motorcyclists are allowed to go to the head of the queue at red traffic lights, versus waiting in line with automobiles. Motorcyclists are also allowed to "lane split," which is traveling at a very low speed down the center of the road when traffic is at a complete standstill. British motorists
move over to allow motorcycles safe passage down the middle.
What we did discover on this trip was that motorcyclists are exempt from tolls on bridges. Motorcyclists simply slow at the toll collection area and are waved through by the toll attendant. Paid parking lots in cities all have areas specifically designated for motorcycles only. These too are free of charge. Gas is just over $8 a gallon ($2/litre) in Europe and because of this, there are many scooters and motorcycles on European roadways. Motorists are courteous to bikers, and laws are in place to help keep us moving safely, while saving gas and easing congestion.
-James Baron
