from The Ethicist, New York Times Magazine (thanks rick )
Dear Ethicist,
I live in San Francisco, where car owners who park on sidewalks are rarely
ticketed, and even more rarely towed. Navigating sidewalks can get tricky
at times.
I know the ethical way to deal with something I find odious is to work to change
the system and make it better. Several years ago, I helped form a pedestrian
advocacy group, and I do a lot of volunteer work with them. Still, change takes
time, and despite our efforts, the problem of sidewalk parking remains, though
it's certainly better than it used to be.
I now am in possession of a number of small stickers that list the fine for
parking on the sidewalk with the polemic "Sidewalks are for people, not for
cars." The stickers are vinyl and don't damage paint. Stickering cars (some
would call it vandalism) that block pedestrian space is surely illegal, and it
can make people mad, but is unethical? I'm reminding car owners that parking on
the sidewalk can be costly to them and is unacceptable to their neighbors.
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 16:50:09 -0500
Subject: Re: sidewalk parking
From: Randy Cohen <@earthlink.net>
I think those car owners should count themselves lucky that you
weren't toting a five gallon gas can and a box of matches. OK, I
don't really think that, but I feel it.
I belong to a similar advocacy group here in New York,
Transportation Alternatives, and believe the private car to be a
blight on the landscape, at least the urban landscape, and certainly
the Manhattan landscape, where there is great public transportation
(and only a minority own cars).
To my way of thinking, your actions fall well within the bounds of
free speech. You're vigorously expressing an opinion on a genuine
matter of public policy, and you're not damaging anyone's property.
Legal? Probably not. Ethical? Yes. Even admirable.
best individualistic power/anger rush I ever got was when the yuppie f **kers in the big house in the corner who never ever shovel, parked a litte red car (zoom zoom my hairy ass) in the driveway in such a way that it completely blocked the sidewalk. I picked up some mud with an old hamburger wrapper from the gutter and smeared it all over the hood. Then wrote "sidewalk" in big letters with my finger.
Sidewalk parkers always aggravate me as well. And boulevard parkers where trees used to be until someone pulled them out because they needed a place to park :( I like the stickers idea. After your mud art, did the yuppies ever park on the sidewalk again?
Oops it cut off my URL, its http://crazybikerchick.blogspot.com
Those yuppies continue to park on the sidewalk. And they don't shovel either. It's especially irritating cause their house is right near the park, on a side street that serves as a thoroughfare for pedestrians: kids, strollers, old people, the works.
thanks for the link, Tanya. nice blog!
You could always call the city bylaw enforcement. They'll shovel their sidewalk for them for the low price of $105.
Just saw this note from Janice. It's important to 'treat" yourself like this once in awhile!
"I flagged down a car on Bloor St. this morning and stood in front of it until the driver cleaned off his windows so he could see. He was not a happy
puppy. He said he didn't have a brush. I said use your coat sleeves and stop at the first hardware or Canadian Tire and buy a brush. (This type of reckless action doesn't come highly recommended -- it's dangerous, but so, so satisfying. Up there with blocking in an SUV.)"
|
from The Ethicist, New York Times Magazine (thanks rick )
Dear Ethicist,
I live in San Francisco, where car owners who park on sidewalks are rarely
ticketed, and even more rarely towed. Navigating sidewalks can get tricky
at times.
I know the ethical way to deal with something I find odious is to work to change
the system and make it better. Several years ago, I helped form a pedestrian
advocacy group, and I do a lot of volunteer work with them. Still, change takes
time, and despite our efforts, the problem of sidewalk parking remains, though
it's certainly better than it used to be.
I now am in possession of a number of small stickers that list the fine for
parking on the sidewalk with the polemic "Sidewalks are for people, not for
cars." The stickers are vinyl and don't damage paint. Stickering cars (some
would call it vandalism) that block pedestrian space is surely illegal, and it
can make people mad, but is unethical? I'm reminding car owners that parking on
the sidewalk can be costly to them and is unacceptable to their neighbors.
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 16:50:09 -0500
Subject: Re: sidewalk parking
From: Randy Cohen <@earthlink.net>
I think those car owners should count themselves lucky that you
weren't toting a five gallon gas can and a box of matches. OK, I
don't really think that, but I feel it.
I belong to a similar advocacy group here in New York,
Transportation Alternatives, and believe the private car to be a
blight on the landscape, at least the urban landscape, and certainly
the Manhattan landscape, where there is great public transportation
(and only a minority own cars).
To my way of thinking, your actions fall well within the bounds of
free speech. You're vigorously expressing an opinion on a genuine
matter of public policy, and you're not damaging anyone's property.
Legal? Probably not. Ethical? Yes. Even admirable.
- sally mckay 1-23-2004 7:57 am
best individualistic power/anger rush I ever got was when the yuppie f **kers in the big house in the corner who never ever shovel, parked a litte red car (zoom zoom my hairy ass) in the driveway in such a way that it completely blocked the sidewalk. I picked up some mud with an old hamburger wrapper from the gutter and smeared it all over the hood. Then wrote "sidewalk" in big letters with my finger.
- sally mckay 1-23-2004 8:06 am
Sidewalk parkers always aggravate me as well. And boulevard parkers where trees used to be until someone pulled them out because they needed a place to park :( I like the stickers idea. After your mud art, did the yuppies ever park on the sidewalk again?
- Tanya http://crazybikerchick.b (guest) 1-23-2004 11:08 pm
Oops it cut off my URL, its http://crazybikerchick.blogspot.com
- Tanya (guest) 1-23-2004 11:09 pm
Those yuppies continue to park on the sidewalk. And they don't shovel either. It's especially irritating cause their house is right near the park, on a side street that serves as a thoroughfare for pedestrians: kids, strollers, old people, the works.
thanks for the link, Tanya. nice blog!
- sally mckay 1-23-2004 11:58 pm
You could always call the city bylaw enforcement. They'll shovel their sidewalk for them for the low price of $105.
- Tanya (guest) 1-26-2004 3:33 am
Just saw this note from Janice. It's important to 'treat" yourself like this once in awhile!
- sally mckay 1-28-2004 9:03 am