Minneapolis bans parking on even side of residential streets until April 1.
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Minneapolis bans parking on even side of residential streets until April 1.
Though we haven't had overly huge amounts of snow this year, very little of what we gotten since early December has melted. This has resulted in wide snow banks that have narrowed the streets.
As a cyclist, the ban is a good thing because in many places near my house there isn't enough room for a car to pass me (in either direction) with any kind of comfort zone. The downside of course is that parking in front of our house will be scarcer.
As a cyclist, the ban is a good thing because in many places near my house there isn't enough room for a car to pass me (in either direction) with any kind of comfort zone. The downside of course is that parking in front of our house will be scarcer.
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Are you able to get through the greasy snow mush that has been on the streets? I just can't. I have been driving to work since it arrived in December.
#3
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We get quite a bit of that "greasy snow mush", but if it warms up to around 25F, it all seems to melt and the streets become dry again. I have a lot of trouble maneuvering in that type of snow, too. It's like your worst MTB trail.
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Thanks for the update.
Recently I had been thinking about what a terrible job Minneapolis was doing on my street - it's like they plow it every other snowfall.
It's funny because right after that -
1. I went over to St Paul - I got on a street I think they literally *never* plowed. Do they even plow at all on the residential streets over there? It really kinda funny - I watched this car trying to park get stuck halfway into the street parking space it was trying to get into (it backed out ok later). The snow on the street went up to the undercarriage of the car - there was no room between the bottom of the car and the snow as you drove down the street.
2. They came by and plowed right in front of my house, then immediately
3. Banned parking on the even side of the street
As I have a garage, it works ok for me, but it's annoying to remember to tell my guests where to park...I'm just really happy I don't live in uptown or something where you actually *need* all the street spaces for parking!
Recently I had been thinking about what a terrible job Minneapolis was doing on my street - it's like they plow it every other snowfall.
It's funny because right after that -
1. I went over to St Paul - I got on a street I think they literally *never* plowed. Do they even plow at all on the residential streets over there? It really kinda funny - I watched this car trying to park get stuck halfway into the street parking space it was trying to get into (it backed out ok later). The snow on the street went up to the undercarriage of the car - there was no room between the bottom of the car and the snow as you drove down the street.
2. They came by and plowed right in front of my house, then immediately
3. Banned parking on the even side of the street
As I have a garage, it works ok for me, but it's annoying to remember to tell my guests where to park...I'm just really happy I don't live in uptown or something where you actually *need* all the street spaces for parking!
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Seems rather late in the year for a parking ban. Years ago I lived in Uptown with no off-street parking-- and worked 2nd shift. I couldn't even find a hydrant to park next to after work. Those were the days....
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Greasy/pushed around snow is a challenge. After trying a few different types of studded tires in the last couple of years, both narrower and wider, I've settled on a set that's sort of in between. They seem to have enough float not to dig into every rut, yet narrow enough to cut through some of the mush. They're not perfect, just better than what I've used in the past.
Last edited by tjspiel; 02-12-10 at 02:25 AM.
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I'm not sure what sort of scheme they use to make sure they hit every street and alley but I think they've altered it and it's not always working. Maybe it is an "every other snow" scheme designed to save money. They did a good job during after the most recent snowfall. Actually went through our alley twice.
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I'm not sure what sort of scheme they use to make sure they hit every street and alley but I think they've altered it and it's not always working. Maybe it is an "every other snow" scheme designed to save money. They did a good job during after the most recent snowfall. Actually went through our alley twice.
#9
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Thanks for the update.
Recently I had been thinking about what a terrible job Minneapolis was doing on my street - it's like they plow it every other snowfall.
It's funny because right after that -
1. I went over to St Paul - I got on a street I think they literally *never* plowed. Do they even plow at all on the residential streets over there? It really kinda funny - I watched this car trying to park get stuck halfway into the street parking space it was trying to get into (it backed out ok later). The snow on the street went up to the undercarriage of the car - there was no room between the bottom of the car and the snow as you drove down the street.
2. They came by and plowed right in front of my house, then immediately
3. Banned parking on the even side of the street
As I have a garage, it works ok for me, but it's annoying to remember to tell my guests where to park...I'm just really happy I don't live in uptown or something where you actually *need* all the street spaces for parking!
Recently I had been thinking about what a terrible job Minneapolis was doing on my street - it's like they plow it every other snowfall.
It's funny because right after that -
1. I went over to St Paul - I got on a street I think they literally *never* plowed. Do they even plow at all on the residential streets over there? It really kinda funny - I watched this car trying to park get stuck halfway into the street parking space it was trying to get into (it backed out ok later). The snow on the street went up to the undercarriage of the car - there was no room between the bottom of the car and the snow as you drove down the street.
2. They came by and plowed right in front of my house, then immediately
3. Banned parking on the even side of the street
As I have a garage, it works ok for me, but it's annoying to remember to tell my guests where to park...I'm just really happy I don't live in uptown or something where you actually *need* all the street spaces for parking!
This last snowfall hasn't helped. Some side streets don't seem to have been plowed at all.
Last edited by gna; 02-12-10 at 03:43 PM.
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Interesting comments tj.
My commute doesn't take me downtown, but when driving through there I've thought of you.
The lack of snow removal downtown is an absolute mess. I've never seen it like this and I've lived here for many years.
My commute doesn't take me downtown, but when driving through there I've thought of you.
The lack of snow removal downtown is an absolute mess. I've never seen it like this and I've lived here for many years.
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I commute through Mendota Heights and Eagan and so far they have been cleaning the major streets pretty well..I try not to ride on the day of the snow to stay away from the cars sliding all over...
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Why is it that we (society) feel obligated to design streets with on-street parking. Shouldn't the burden of providing parking fall on the residents or businesses? - Why should I pay to have roads that are wide enough to accommodate parking, but not wide enough to accomodate a sharable width lane?
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Depending on what part of the city you live in, there may be little or no off-street parking. The lots are smaller and so are the garages, - if they exist at all. The city is older than the automobile.
My neighborhood was developed in the 30's. Most homes have a small one car garage. But since we have so much more "stuff" than the people that lived here 70 years ago, many people use there garages for storage and park on the street.
Likewise most of the non-residential buildings in the area were constructed when people typically walked to get to the store, deli, restaurant, bar, etc. No room was set aside for off-street parking.
Though it really shows how dependent we've become on the automobile the way they're lined up in front of the houses, I prefer it to the suburban model. Lack of off-street parking at area businesses and homes means less space devoted to concrete and encourages people to walk. Since the streets are narrower due to the cars parked on them, people don't drive as fast.
My neighborhood was developed in the 30's. Most homes have a small one car garage. But since we have so much more "stuff" than the people that lived here 70 years ago, many people use there garages for storage and park on the street.
Likewise most of the non-residential buildings in the area were constructed when people typically walked to get to the store, deli, restaurant, bar, etc. No room was set aside for off-street parking.
Though it really shows how dependent we've become on the automobile the way they're lined up in front of the houses, I prefer it to the suburban model. Lack of off-street parking at area businesses and homes means less space devoted to concrete and encourages people to walk. Since the streets are narrower due to the cars parked on them, people don't drive as fast.
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Greasy/pushed around snow is a challenge. After trying a few different types of studded tires in the last couple of years, both narrower and wider, I've settled on a set that's sort of in between. They seem to have enough float not to dig into every rut, yet narrow enough to cut through some of the mush. They're not perfect, just better than what I've used in the past.
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Here here. I live in Minneapolis and commute to St. Paul through Seward and then on Lake/Marshall most of the way. As soon as you hit the St. Paul side(where there is actually SUPPOSED to be a bike lane) it's basically unrideable - especially during rush hour. And now the crater-sized potholes are emerging. St. Paul should be banning parking instead of Minneapolis who, IMO, has done a stellar job(in comparison) with plowing and upkeep this winter.
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Depending on what part of the city you live in, there may be little or no off-street parking. The lots are smaller and so are the garages, - if they exist at all. The city is older than the automobile.
My neighborhood was developed in the 30's. Most homes have a small one car garage. But since we have so much more "stuff" than the people that lived here 70 years ago, many people use there garages for storage and park on the street.
Likewise most of the non-residential buildings in the area were constructed when people typically walked to get to the store, deli, restaurant, bar, etc. No room was set aside for off-street parking.
Though it really shows how dependent we've become on the automobile the way they're lined up in front of the houses, I prefer it to the suburban model. Lack of off-street parking at area businesses and homes means less space devoted to concrete and encourages people to walk. Since the streets are narrower due to the cars parked on them, people don't drive as fast.
My neighborhood was developed in the 30's. Most homes have a small one car garage. But since we have so much more "stuff" than the people that lived here 70 years ago, many people use there garages for storage and park on the street.
Likewise most of the non-residential buildings in the area were constructed when people typically walked to get to the store, deli, restaurant, bar, etc. No room was set aside for off-street parking.
Though it really shows how dependent we've become on the automobile the way they're lined up in front of the houses, I prefer it to the suburban model. Lack of off-street parking at area businesses and homes means less space devoted to concrete and encourages people to walk. Since the streets are narrower due to the cars parked on them, people don't drive as fast.
I think you just made his point for him. People park on the street because it's there. I'm not sure why the entire tax base should have to subsidize someone's parking space.
I despise it, ESPECIALLY in residential areas.
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After all, who ever has more than 3 or 4 friends come over to a party. If ALL of your friends can't come to visit in one vehicle that can fin in your driveway you need to seriously re-evaluate your friend situation and consider cutting a few.
#18
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Here here. I live in Minneapolis and commute to St. Paul through Seward and then on Lake/Marshall most of the way. As soon as you hit the St. Paul side(where there is actually SUPPOSED to be a bike lane) it's basically unrideable - especially during rush hour. And now the crater-sized potholes are emerging. St. Paul should be banning parking instead of Minneapolis who, IMO, has done a stellar job(in comparison) with plowing and upkeep this winter.
We had some sun the past few days and temps in the 20s, so the road were clearing up, but then it started snowing again last night...
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If you didn't have room for parking on residential streets, how would you get deliveries of anything? It's a rare thing to see a driveway or garage on the front of someone's house.
And you have to remember, where I live and in most places in the cities, it's a mix of residential and businesses, though businesses tend to be on the corners. To not allow parking on the streets would mean no parking for businesses.
Last edited by tjspiel; 02-15-10 at 10:38 AM.
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If you've never had more than 3 or 4 people over at your home, you live a much different life than I do.
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Here they declare "snow emergency" days where every evening after midnight cars are banned from parking on one side of the street, and thus ticketed if parked there. But they run it by odd and even numbered days to determine which side of the street your park on.
So basically, every time it snows more than a couple of inches half of the parking disappears in the downtown/campus area.
And they don't allow any leniency to people with their cars plowed under 3 feet of snow if they're parked in two hour parking, which is basically three quarters of the residential streets in the city.
I hate city government...
So basically, every time it snows more than a couple of inches half of the parking disappears in the downtown/campus area.
And they don't allow any leniency to people with their cars plowed under 3 feet of snow if they're parked in two hour parking, which is basically three quarters of the residential streets in the city.
I hate city government...
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I have Nokian W240's in the 40mm size. "Cookie Dough" snow is still something I have to be careful on but these work for me better than the others I've tried. The other thing that helped is a tip I've seen on these forums a fews times and that is to keep your weight back and off the front wheel as much as possible.
#23
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Here they declare "snow emergency" days where every evening after midnight cars are banned from parking on one side of the street, and thus ticketed if parked there. But they run it by odd and even numbered days to determine which side of the street your park on.
So basically, every time it snows more than a couple of inches half of the parking disappears in the downtown/campus area.
And they don't allow any leniency to people with their cars plowed under 3 feet of snow if they're parked in two hour parking, which is basically three quarters of the residential streets in the city.
I hate city government...
So basically, every time it snows more than a couple of inches half of the parking disappears in the downtown/campus area.
And they don't allow any leniency to people with their cars plowed under 3 feet of snow if they're parked in two hour parking, which is basically three quarters of the residential streets in the city.
I hate city government...
Though the ban has made my commute easier, I was surprised that they did it so late in the season. The sun is high enough in the sky to do some serious melting even if the temp doesn't climb above freezing (which it will start to do consistently in the next few weeks). On the other hand we did get more snow last night and those banks are starting to cast some big shadows.
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I can see sarcasm isn't you're forte. As a general rule, if somebody on the internet is saying something that seems kinda off they're probably not being serious.
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I feel the same way I think he does "Oh yeah, if I want to have more than 3 people over I'll totally just change who I'm friends with to accommodate your ideology" (rolls eyes)
Last edited by PaulRivers; 02-16-10 at 12:07 AM.
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