NYCS Interview: NY Motorcycle Parking

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Posted by: Paul

15 September 2009 1,852 views No Comment

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Tired of parking your scoot on the mean streets of NYC? Then perhaps it’s time we talk alternatives. We had a chance to have a chat with Tillman Doe Jr., the founder and President of New York Motorcycle Parking, Inc. who provide a network of secure indoor motorcycle and scooter parking facilities around New York City.

New York Motorcycle Parking opened its first location at 288 St. Marks Avenue in Brooklyn and have grown to over 20 locations around Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens during the past four years.

NYCS: We assume you’re a rider yourself. How long have you ridden? What do you ride? What was your first ride?

Yes, I enjoy riding at every opportunity I can. I bought my first bike in 2000, a brand new Suzuki, Katana 750, which I still own and use. I purchased the bike from a dealer three hours away from my home.

After completing the purchase I asked the salesman to show me how to shift the gears. He looked at me and asked if this was my first time riding. I told him it was “my very first time.” He laughed and showed me how everything worked.

I rode around his neighborhood to get the feel of the bike and then proceeded to ride the full three hours to get home! By the time I arrived I had learned two important lessons. I learned how to ride, plus my aching back taught me the benefits of a cruiser as compared to a sports bike.

NYCS: What inspired the formation of the company? Was there one parking ticket too many?

I have only received one parking ticket. Later that day – after I got the ticket, I asked a police officer where I could park my bike safely. He told me to park wherever the law allows. That was not very helpful!

I was using my bike to commute to downtown Manhattan. I needed a good place to park, but the only designated spots were extremely crowded. Street parking was permitted but it frequently took more than 30 minutes to find a spot.

Like most riders I struggled with this – for me it lasted for five years. I checked with every garage I could find. Almost nobody parked motorcycles. The few that did only offered monthly reservations and would invariably park my bike in a dark corner under a rusty, leaky pipe next to a big old car whose door would swing uncontrollably and target my bike’s fairings.

I just wanted to commute to work when the weather permitted. I didn’t want a full monthly commitment. I also wanted my bike free from dirt and dents.

During all those years I never found a facility that properly parked motorcycles. It finally occurred to me that my willingness to accept the situation contributed to the reasons why proper facilities for parking motorcycles and scooters did not exist. At that point I realized I could, and would, do something to correct this. I founded New York Motorcycle Parking the next month.

NYCS: Which are your most popular locations?

I suppose popularity is relative to the individual. The most popular garage is the one closest to where you want to be. We want to service the interests of as many riders as possible. We have locations throughout the city and continue to expand our network to accommodate our customers.

All of our locations can get pretty busy. We allow daily and monthly parking. Fortunately, we have the flexibility to expand the number of spaces available at most locations based on demand.

NYCS: You’ve been growing fantastically well over the past four years. How regularly do you open new locations?

We have been opening, on average, one new location a month. To meet the growing demand from motorcycle riders and the fast-growing popularity of scooters, we expect to open an additional 15 locations by the end of the 2009 season to accommodate the demand for winter storage.

NYCS: Let’s talk about how 24 hour access works. A key card, keys, attendant?

Like most riders, my bike is important to me. I want a person watching my bike at all times. All of our facilities are monitored by an attendant 24 hours every day.

NYCS: How does daily parking work? Do you require a reservation in advance?

Actually, it’s very simple. When you phone you will make a guaranteed reservation. Your space will be held for your arrival. Making a reservation in advance is preferred because you are assured of a spot. If you simply “show up” at the garage you risk being turned away due to lack of parking availability. When you have no choice but to arrive unannounced, you must tell the attendant you are a New York Motorcycle Parking customer to get a preferred space assignment. We have some really great people working with us. They will do their best to take care of you.

NYCS: Tell us about typical parking rates, both monthly and daily.

Monthly rates vary, depending on location, from $150 to $168.95 in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Daily parking at all of our locations is $15.21 – or $18 after tax, for up to 12 hours. We offer group discounts and a number of other specialized services for clubs and organizations when they make advance reservations.

NYCS: With winter on its way, I understand you have some winter storage pricing and options lined up.

Our Winter Package includes safe, secure, attendant-supervised storage in clean, motorcycle-designated parking locations within each facility. Subject to availability, we include use of our commercial-grade Battery Tender units – including connector cables to hook up your vehicle. The “intelligent” Battery Tender will constantly monitor your battery and maintain an optimum charge level so at the beginning of the next riding season, there’s no fuss or bother – your battery is ready-to-go.

Use of Battery Tenders is included at no extra cost – based on availability. We are already taking reservations, so it is best to phone now and secure your space.

NYCS: Future plans?

We intend to continue to add locations throughout the New York City Metro Area. We are working on plans to expand our service to the Philadelphia and Boston markets.

Most important, we want to educate bike and scooter riders about the advantages of parking in an insured, clean, safe and secure, 24×7 access, attendant-supervised environment where their bikes are protected and they are treated with the respect customers deserve.

You can find out more details about New York Motorcycle Parking Inc. including their entire list of locations and reservations by phoning 877-399-PARK (7275)or visiting their website at www.nymparking.com.