Street Parking, how safe???

[itch808]

I just moved up here about a year ago and was looking at picking up a bike here. But I'm wondering just how safe is street parking? I'm in the back bay area where there is no free street parking that I know of. But my girlfriend is out in roxybury where there is a ton of free street parking. How safe would it be to park on the street? Or are there better places to park on the street for free?

Also, how much protection against theft is needed in this city?

[tWeEzy]

nowhere is safe on the street

[OreoGaborio]

yeah, I wouldn't... neither Back Bay nor Roxbury.

[itch808]

LOL!! I suppose I was hoping fuggabouit chain + cover would've been safe. I didn't really measure, but I was hoping a lamppost, pole, or some other object was close enough to the street to use as an anchor for a chain.

Ok, my next question is, what's the cheapest place I can prob find that's relatively safe to park? Ideally somewhere I can get to by T or the commuter rail (ouch!). How much am I looking at paying monthly?

[CEO]

I was hoping fuggabouit chain + cover would've been safe. I didn't really measure, but I was hoping a lamppost, pole, or some other object

Fuggeddaboudit chain around a telephone pole and bike and a full cover over the bike... I did exactly that for about a year in back bay, no problems, except for one time my cover was taken.

Still not sure if it was drunk people goofing around or would-be thieves who took off the cover then noticed the huge chain.

[itch808]

Fuggeddaboudit chain around a telephone pole and bike and a full cover over the bike... I did exactly that for about a year in back bay, no problems, except for one time my cover was taken.

I wasn't sure how determined or equipped thieves are around here. BTW, where in back bay did you park? I'm still trying to figure out Boston's crazy street laws. It seems like there are some residential only parking areas that require a permit, and then there's street cleaning to be worried about. Not sure if I'm missing anything else.

[KillBill]

[SP GSX-R]

nowhere is safe on the street

[jdobelbower]

ide be more worried about bein shot in roxbury personaly but yeah i wouldnt leave that on the street covered or not

[DuncanMoto]

Suck it up and pay for the insurance.
I've had one bike taken and I had a chain on it around a street sign. The theifs sawed the post off to get the bike. If they really want it, they'll get it.
I'd be more worried about people backing into my parked bike with their car and taking off.

[DuncanMoto]

So you're are from Hawaii huh?
You should go to your girlfriend's local police station and ask for an incident report. You definitly need to acquaint yourself with Roxbury's crime records.

[Billy]

Parking bike on street in Roxbury/Back Bay ='s Stolen bike!

[dingley00]

i disagree with the overall sentiment here. i parked on the street in the back bay during the good months. back bay - especially residential areas, seem to be quieter, and don't have too many drunk people (except boylston and newbury). when it's covered, it doesn't become so enticing to drunkards. it becomes a drunk target when it's at the end of the street, at the corner, uncovered and glistening under a street light. as for theft, just get the insurance, and a disk lock.
the only incident i had, was being backed into and nicked, not even knocked over.... it's bumper cars in boston parking, just accept it, and get vandalism insurance. theft, and vandalsim insurance is clutch.

[CEO]

I wasn't sure how determined or equipped thieves are around here. BTW, where in back bay did you park? I'm still trying to figure out Boston's crazy street laws. It seems like there are some residential only parking areas that require a permit, and then there's street cleaning to be worried about. Not sure if I'm missing anything else.

I parked it in the alley behind my building, checked with neighbors first. There was a little bit of sidewalk and a telephone pole next to a fence, I really tucked it in there, the rear wheel between the fence and the telephone pole, then locked and covered. Not in anyones way.

BTD never cared that it wasn't technically supposed to be there.

i disagree with the overall sentiment here. i parked on the street in the back bay during the good months. back bay - especially residential areas, seem to be quieter, and don't have too many drunk people (except boylston and newbury). when it's covered, it doesn't become so enticing to drunkards. it becomes a drunk target when it's at the end of the street, at the corner, uncovered and glistening under a street light. as for theft, just get the insurance, and a disk lock.
the only incident i had, was being backed into and nicked, not even knocked over.... it's bumper cars in boston parking, just accept it, and get vandalism insurance. theft, and vandalsim insurance is clutch.

I'm in the residential area. So it must have been would-be thieves who then noticed the huge ass chain.

[Catach]

I live in the south end and I park my bike right up against my back door. I live in a first floor unit and there is a small fire escape/walkway that no one else uses, its only about 10ft from where I sleep. I did this all last year as well and no one has ever touched it, I don't even have a chain...but I do have insurance.

[bigred875]

about this safe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D96QM-lzLM8

[bigred875]

like with everything...assumes risk...full ins coverage, a cover and a chain is a good defense...but if they want it they're taking it....only takes a minute and a cordless grinder to get through a chain

[itch808]

So you're are from Hawaii huh?
You should go to your girlfriend's local police station and ask for an incident report. You definitly need to acquaint yourself with Roxbury's crime records.

I've heard the stories, don't worry! But from what I've seen it has gotten better from all the horror stories. Although the orange line southward late at night is still sketchy. You from Hawaii too? Parking and just flat out riding was easier to think about back home. No winter weather and parking for free everywhere. Biggest problem was the track closed down

Back on topic!!!!

So for everyone who doesn't park on the street and rents, where do you guys all park?? And how much is it?

[CEO]

By the way, do you already have the fuggeddaboudit chain? If not, I'll sell you mine.

[gixxersixxer]

I agree, I would not leave my bike on the street. Even in the parking garage at my school I get freaked out that one night I'm going to come back and one of the drunk kids will have hit it!

[itch808]

After all the discouraging talk I gave up the idea for now. Plus there are a number of things that came up when I was about to buy this bike on CL. He told me in MA, I couldn't even get the plates to ride the bike home without going to the register's office with insurance first. Then I asked about the inspection sticker, and he said that has to be done after I transfer the title.

Then I looked up transfering the title and found I needed to turn in my hawaii ID for a MA ID. Plus I need my passport and birth certificate (both are back in Hawaii), and proof of MA residency (no idea how to get that). That combined with the parking situation finally made me throw in the towel.

Going to suck it up and pay the $$$s to rent a bike for a track day. If all goes well I'll be attending MotoMarket's TD on May 25th!!!

[akira700]

I'd find some cheap garage space. The peace of mind is worth the money.
Insurance is a drag of time and hassle. Must be someone with an empty
corner of one car garage somewhere. Maybe Brookline.

[ctbandit]

buy a goldwing and chain it up. Nobodys picking that shit up!

[jdobelbower]

you could buy a goldwing and leave the key in for christs sake that shits fugly

[Vawn]

about this safe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D96QM-lzLM8

That's f'd up.