Comments on: Parking it in Midtown http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: garden_lark http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-5506 garden_lark Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:04:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-5506 beautiful san fran pics. love the cargo bike. beautiful san fran pics. love the cargo bike.

]]> By: Sproule http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4769 Sproule Fri, 22 Sep 2006 16:38:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4769 While calmly bike commuting recently on an Upper West Side Avenue I got an angry comment and a long honk from a driver: "STREET ARE FOR CARS!" Although I've often stooped to screaming back and delivering a long bird, many years of these interactions teaches that disengagement or killing with kindness and a wave prevails as the most sensible response. You can't convince drivers of anything while they're in their cars. I'm all for park(ing)...power to the hippies. While calmly bike commuting recently on an Upper West Side Avenue I got an angry comment and a long honk from a driver: “STREET ARE FOR CARS!” Although I’ve often stooped to screaming back and delivering a long bird, many years of these interactions teaches that disengagement or killing with kindness and a wave prevails as the most sensible response. You can’t convince drivers of anything while they’re in their cars. I’m all for park(ing)…power to the hippies.

]]> By: mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4729 mike Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:14:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4729 Wow, those folks in SF really know how to do it up! Wow, those folks in SF really know how to do it up!

]]> By: clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4726 clarence Fri, 22 Sep 2006 01:45:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4726 Hey all, I was out in SF today relishing in all of REBAR's Park(ing) Day Fun. Photos from today in San Francisco - http://homepage.mac.com/trorb/PhotoAlbum179.html And a video to come shortly! It was awesome! At least 15 spots temporarily re-claimed! Hey all,

I was out in SF today relishing in all of REBAR’s Park(ing) Day Fun.

Photos from today in San Francisco – http://homepage.mac.com/trorb/PhotoAlbum179.html

And a video to come shortly! It was awesome! At least 15 spots temporarily re-claimed!

]]> By: d http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4713 d Thu, 21 Sep 2006 21:35:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4713 or if you can't find a parking spot on the street, just drive your car around central park for a while. i hear that's open to cars most of the time. or if you can’t find a parking spot on the street, just drive your car around central park for a while. i hear that’s open to cars most of the time.

]]> By: Orcutt http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4710 Orcutt Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:36:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4710 Re: 12, there are plenty of parking garages where you can pay thru the nose to park right around the corner from there. Re: 12, there are plenty of parking garages where you can pay thru the nose to park right around the corner from there.

]]> By: Joe (BikingToronto) http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4709 Joe (BikingToronto) Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:26:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4709 As part of CarFreeDay celebrations tomorrow, there is a concerted push in Toronto to have "Parking Parties" such as this all up and down an entire street (Queen St. W.). For details on this "unofficial" carfreeday event, as well as Toronto's CarFree Parade, see <a href="http://www.streetsareforpeople.org/" rel="nofollow">streetsareforpeople.org</a>. As part of CarFreeDay celebrations tomorrow, there is a concerted push in Toronto to have “Parking Parties” such as this all up and down an entire street (Queen St. W.).

For details on this “unofficial” carfreeday event, as well as Toronto’s CarFree Parade, see streetsareforpeople.org.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4706 Aaron Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:52:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4706 i think you nailed it, someguy. talking with some friends about "inconvenient truth" recently, i'm finding that i know a number of otherwise smart, conscious, educated americans who are angry at al gore for, what i believe to be, the same reason you outline above. being confronted with these difficult issues makes people feel guilty. it makes people feel attacked -- even if you are confronting them simply by sitting on a grassy patch in the middle of the street with a dopey smile on your face, like the guy in the photo. (just kidding, graham!)<br /> i think you nailed it, someguy. talking with some friends about "inconvenient truth" recently, i’m finding that i know a number of otherwise smart, conscious, educated americans who are angry at al gore for, what i believe to be, the same reason you outline above. being confronted with these difficult issues makes people feel guilty. it makes people feel attacked — even if you are confronting them simply by sitting on a grassy patch in the middle of the street with a dopey smile on your face, like the guy in the photo. (just kidding, graham!)

]]> By: someguy http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4704 someguy Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:38:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4704 I find that questioning the reasonability, ethicality (environmental, equitable, etc) or morality of the average driver's right to drive gets a very similar response as questioning the reasonability, ethicality or morality of the average meat overeater's right to eat vast quantities of industrially produced meat. It gets a very emotional, gut reaction. I think it's the resonation of a deep-seated sense of guilt that we as humans are very capable of repressing until provoked. And once provoked to confront our questionable conduct, we get very defensive and emotional because nobody likes to admit their doing something stupid. I find that questioning the reasonability, ethicality (environmental, equitable, etc) or morality of the average driver’s right to drive gets a very similar response as questioning the reasonability, ethicality or morality of the average meat overeater’s right to eat vast quantities of industrially produced meat. It gets a very emotional, gut reaction. I think it’s the resonation of a deep-seated sense of guilt that we as humans are very capable of repressing until provoked. And once provoked to confront our questionable conduct, we get very defensive and emotional because nobody likes to admit their doing something stupid.

]]> By: Car-Free NYer http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4703 Car-Free NYer Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:34:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4703 As a car-free NYer, I love this. But, be prepared, invariably someone will demand to know "Where am I supposed to park my car?" As if that's OUR problem. As a car-free NYer, I love this.

But, be prepared, invariably someone will demand to know “Where am I supposed to park my car?” As if that’s OUR problem.

]]> By: Jacob http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4700 Jacob Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:50:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4700 #7, if you want free and ample parking and streets designed for car traffic, I believe that it is you who should move to the suburbs. New York City's streets existed hundreds of years before the car, as a public space for the movement of people and goods. It is a very recent idea that streets should give priority to automobiles. Also, there is no logical reason why cities can't have parkland. If you want proof, look no further than Central Park, Bryant Park, and numerous Greenstreets. Are you advocating the elimination of these? Finally, if you don't like the diversity of people and ideas (including "hippies") that comprise this great city, then, again, you should probably move to a suburb where you will only encounter people who are exactly like you. Good day. #7, if you want free and ample parking and streets designed for car traffic, I believe that it is you who should move to the suburbs. New York City’s streets existed hundreds of years before the car, as a public space for the movement of people and goods. It is a very recent idea that streets should give priority to automobiles. Also, there is no logical reason why cities can’t have parkland. If you want proof, look no further than Central Park, Bryant Park, and numerous Greenstreets. Are you advocating the elimination of these? Finally, if you don’t like the diversity of people and ideas (including “hippies”) that comprise this great city, then, again, you should probably move to a suburb where you will only encounter people who are exactly like you. Good day.

]]> By: podsednik http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4696 podsednik Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:41:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4696 Re: Anger. It's elementary. If you've been getting something valuable for (practically) free, and someone starts to question that, you get angry. Re: Anger. It’s elementary. If you’ve been getting something valuable for (practically) free, and someone starts to question that, you get angry.

]]> By: Jason http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4695 Jason Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:38:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4695 hey aber- last time i checked there are alot more cars and paved roads in suburbs these days... you are going to be shocked when uur abused landbase stops supporting your lifestyle then you are going to wish that every square inch of the earth had not be paved over hey aber-
last time i checked there are alot more cars and paved roads in suburbs these days…
you are going to be shocked when uur abused landbase stops supporting your lifestyle
then you are going to wish that every square inch of the earth had not be paved over

]]> By: Matthew http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4694 Matthew Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:29:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4694 Right on aber. I was just thinking how satisfying it is to label anything creative or different "hippie." It makes one feel damn status quo, non? Right on aber. I was just thinking how satisfying it is to label anything creative or different “hippie.” It makes one feel damn status quo, non?

]]> By: aber http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4691 aber Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:47:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4691 You guys are damn hippies. If you want parks land and sod move to the suburbs. You guys are damn hippies. If you want parks land and sod move to the suburbs.

]]> By: james http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4690 james Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:46:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4690 I love it. This city needs a lot more stuff like this. I love it. This city needs a lot more stuff like this.

]]> By: Sean http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4689 Sean Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:42:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4689 Ya know, I was going to put in an aside about the anger. I wish I could understand or explain it, beyond the obvious statement that it illustrates people's assumptions about the permanance of land allocation to streets and the primacy of the right to drive on streets. Not very satisfy on any level. Ya know, I was going to put in an aside about the anger.

I wish I could understand or explain it, beyond the obvious statement that it illustrates people’s assumptions about the permanance of land allocation to streets and the primacy of the right to drive on streets.

Not very satisfy on any level.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4686 Aaron Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:34:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4686 and yet the parking squat seems to make people very ANGRY. and yet the parking squat seems to make people very ANGRY.

]]> By: Sean http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4685 Sean Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:22:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4685 What do you do with the ticket? Staple the ticket to a leaf or stuff it in the pot? Can you tow a potted plant? How? What about a boot? The great thing about Park(ing) is how it treats a very serious topic in such a light- and big-hearted fashion. I just cannot stop smiling looking at the various pictures. It's not entirely coincidental. Streets have become (always have been?) grim, gray (metaphorically) spaces. Grass, benches, potted plants are happy things. Of course a parking squat should bring a smile. What do you do with the ticket? Staple the ticket to a leaf or stuff it in the pot? Can you tow a potted plant? How? What about a boot?

The great thing about Park(ing) is how it treats a very serious topic in such a light- and big-hearted fashion. I just cannot stop smiling looking at the various pictures.

It’s not entirely coincidental. Streets have become (always have been?) grim, gray (metaphorically) spaces. Grass, benches, potted plants are happy things. Of course a parking squat should bring a smile.

]]> By: Adam http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/comment-page-1/#comment-4684 Adam Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:21:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/21/parking-it-in-midtown/#comment-4684 I love this stuff. I wonder if it would be feasible to do this here in the Upper East Side... Check into the law, find a day off, and set up shop for the day. Hmm... I love this stuff. I wonder if it would be feasible to do this here in the Upper East Side… Check into the law, find a day off, and set up shop for the day. Hmm…

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