Coming Soon... Legal 90º Parking in SF

[saronian]

Had a chance to talk casually with one of San Francisco's Parking Engineers this morning. He mentioned that a modification to the parking code was currently under review specifically for the smart fortwo.

They are using the maximum width of a school bus, which is 109", for allowing the smart fortwo at 106", to have it's front wheels greater than 18" from the curb. If the law is changed, and it's anyone's guess when that might be, the smart would be allowed to park with rear wheels against the curb.

The main focus of the change is to allow smart's to park at 90 degrees, next to driveways, and still let a homeowner park in their driveway. Currently, parking in the driveway often boxes in the smart.

Hope SF moves to change the law.

[Dunerunner]

When it does, we'll all come to SF, park and take a pic. A mile of smarts in SF!! Wow!

[SmartAzz]

wow, that is awesome to hear that is being considered

[factor9]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

When it does, we'll all come to SF, park and take a pic. A mile of smarts in SF!! Wow!

Scott,

Just don't drive down to Fort Point!!! I doubt they'll ever welcome a smart car to their site, no matter how we park. But, we'll try to educate them.

Hopefully, you'll be willing to come down, if I have to go to court! I sure would welcome a mile of smart cars, if I do have to go to trial.

I'll keep you posted. Please hang on to your photos!

Thanks,
Bob

[Dunerunner]

No Problem my friend. If it's court, we'll get a contingent together for support!!

[widdle car]

COUNT ME IN, BOB!!

widl car

[Alchemy R]

This will make owning a Smart that much better! It's not like I'm going to start parking like the cars I saw in Italy... ;)

This one was in the middle of a crosswalk and at least 2.5 feet from the curb... hehe...

[LittoDeviL]

Originally Posted by factor9

Scott,

Just don't drive down to Fort Point!!! I doubt they'll ever welcome a smart car to their site, no matter how we park. But, we'll try to educate them.

Hopefully, you'll be willing to come down, if I have to go to court! I sure would welcome a mile of smart cars, if I do have to go to trial.

I'll keep you posted. Please hang on to your photos!

Thanks,
Bob

We'll be there for ya!

[snowy]

I decided to park my car perpendicular (back wheels touching the curb). Unforunately, I did get a ticket - the reason code was that I was more than 18" away from the curb. Since my back tires were touching, I couldn't figure out why they used this reason. However, I found the code text and your front tire and rear tire have to be within 18".

I contested the ticket and wrote a letter giving a background of the Smart car's introduction to the US, it's gas efficiency and smallest size classification. Also a small diatribe on how the Smart is good for SF because we create more parking space.

Apparently none of this was to any avail because they just sent a letter saying that I have to pay up.

I am going to continue to bring this issue up, it's a new car so it will take some time for the DPT to get used to, but it's great public policy.

[rwcmick]

SF has some of the most aggressive parking ticket policies in the Bay Area...I never visit the city without a roll of quarters and careful observation of all signage. Basically, I treat SF like a minimum security parking prison: follow the rules and keep your head down!