Adventures in parking

Once I noticed legal sidewalk parking a few weeks ago on Križna, I started noticing it everywhere, but with some interesting variations.

Sidewalk parking is legal here on both sides of Záhradnica.

On Maly Trh, the city has kindly painted white lines indicating that cars should park the front wheels on the sidewalk, with the back wheels on the street.

On Moskovská, the white lines indicate that the right side wheels should go on the sidewalk, with the left-side wheels in the street.

The white lines are sized for the ultra-compact cars that are the norm here. Today I made a rare sighting of a giant American-style Toyota SUV, hogging more than its fair share of space. These lumbering gas-guzzlers stick out like sore thumbs here -- and this isn't even the biggest size available in the U.S.

This Bistro is directly opposite the entrance to the Faculty of Medicine. Patrons in a hurry can park right in front of the door.

In case you thought Bratislava tolerated just about anything in parking, the notorious “Denver boot” is in use here to catch ticket scofflaws who don’t pay their fines. I'm just not sure what counts as a parking violation here.

The alternative to sidewalk parking seems to be tearing down more historic buildings to provide parking lots or garages. I can think of several locations in the U.S. where I wish legal sidewalk parking would be considered as a solution to the chronic shortage of parking spaces (my home campus in California, for starters).

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Parking

I am amazed at how few parking restrictions I see, even in business areas. Here is a row of cars parked on the sidewalk, which seems to be perfectly legal on this busy street, Križna.

Some driver must be anxious to reclaim his parking spot on the sidewalk. These chairs tied together with string seem to be holding a spot. Crumpled newspaper has been folded around the string so people notice it.

The sign outside this modern high-rise office building reads “Dell European Business Center." I don’t know which lucky driver gets to park right outside the front door on the sidewalk, but that big SUV is a rarity here. (Mr. Dell’s, perhaps?)

NOTE: Click on any image in this blog to see it full-size.