The lines next to crip (disabled) parking spaces serve a purpose—to indicate to others NOT to park on the lines. The reason it matters is that for people like me with a ramp van, I need that space to deploy the ramp when I am getting in and out. I need to park with the lines on the right because that is the ramp side (I think this is the most common side for both ramps and lifts.)
For disabled drivers who disassemble their manual wheelchair after transferring to the driver’s seat—they need to park with the lines on the left side of their vehicle,
If a driver has crip placard for parking as close as possible to their destination but does use equipment, it doesn't matter which side of their vehicle the lines are on. If you or your passenger are in this last category, please help a crip out and leave the right side lines spaces free, IF you have a choice. If I can’t deploy my ramp, I have to keep looking.
What I appreciate about this tip is that I’m a crip with a placard but without equipment, so it’ll make me much more aware of the spaces I choose also. Most days it’s not a big deal if I can’t be close to the door, so I don’t use the placard. But when it is, I’ll be more mindful of the space I choose.
My local Starbucks has a popular pizza joint next door and a Trader Joe’s a short walk away. The lots here are always crowded. The number of people who pull into the crip spaces to “run in” and pick up their order is a disgrace.
I wrote a post on this parking too, but from a different perspective (and it was much wordier; I’m still trying to learn this conciseness trait from you 🤦🏼♀️😁).
When I lived in San Francisco, there was a Starbucks on the corner in a popular district (Noe Valley), with a crip spot right out front. It was parking GOLD. So many people would stop there “just for a sec!”
One evening, a cop car parked there while they went in and got their order—ten minutes later, they left.
I was in the Starbucks with three other crips when this happened.
I was also on the San Francisco Access Appeals Board at the time and knew “people”—I was able to file a formal complaint and won!
So satisfying!
I was with the same group of friends at the same Starbucks another time, and cops came in. We pointed out a car without a placard in the Golden Space, and they gave them a ticket (after waiting and watching for five minutes —I guess they were reluctant to ticket a “just a sec” car.
This is a serious issue and very important but I cannot help but point out how hard I laughed at your choice of words for a title-there was no way I wasn't going to read this, just because of the title, and I treasure your ability to work with what you have without taking yourself too seriously. It's what I do everyday and I love that those of us with challenges just get our shit done whether anyone else realizes the mess they make of our environments :) thank you for this entry... Even though I can't drive anymore, I never realized (as a driver) any of what you say here. Thank you for sharing this!
What I appreciate about this tip is that I’m a crip with a placard but without equipment, so it’ll make me much more aware of the spaces I choose also. Most days it’s not a big deal if I can’t be close to the door, so I don’t use the placard. But when it is, I’ll be more mindful of the space I choose.
My local Starbucks has a popular pizza joint next door and a Trader Joe’s a short walk away. The lots here are always crowded. The number of people who pull into the crip spaces to “run in” and pick up their order is a disgrace.
I wrote a post on this parking too, but from a different perspective (and it was much wordier; I’m still trying to learn this conciseness trait from you 🤦🏼♀️😁).
Thanks, Amy.
When I lived in San Francisco, there was a Starbucks on the corner in a popular district (Noe Valley), with a crip spot right out front. It was parking GOLD. So many people would stop there “just for a sec!”
One evening, a cop car parked there while they went in and got their order—ten minutes later, they left.
I was in the Starbucks with three other crips when this happened.
I was also on the San Francisco Access Appeals Board at the time and knew “people”—I was able to file a formal complaint and won!
So satisfying!
I was with the same group of friends at the same Starbucks another time, and cops came in. We pointed out a car without a placard in the Golden Space, and they gave them a ticket (after waiting and watching for five minutes —I guess they were reluctant to ticket a “just a sec” car.
That space was like a crip speed trap!
This is a serious issue and very important but I cannot help but point out how hard I laughed at your choice of words for a title-there was no way I wasn't going to read this, just because of the title, and I treasure your ability to work with what you have without taking yourself too seriously. It's what I do everyday and I love that those of us with challenges just get our shit done whether anyone else realizes the mess they make of our environments :) thank you for this entry... Even though I can't drive anymore, I never realized (as a driver) any of what you say here. Thank you for sharing this!