IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 28 2007, 04:24 PM) [snapback]451094[/snapback]</div>

Watch Penn & Teller's "Bullshit" episode about handicapped parking spaces and you might not think we need those anymore either.

 

Hmm, if they did this at US stores, it wouldn't help much at Bay Area ones. One time when I was at the Palo Alto, CA one, I saw at least 6 Priuses in the parking lot. I haven't been there in ages but I'd imagine the count is much higher now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 28 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]451094[/snapback]</div>

Prefered parking will likely get your hybrid keyed (or worse) by some Monster Truck SUV driver. At least they can't reach you in the HOV lane - moving target.

 

I went to Ikea in Calgary over the weekend and parked in one of the two hybrid parking spots. They're right outside the exit doors. Really convenient! Here's a couple of quick snaps from my camera phone.

 

To take advantage of this, it means I'd have to actually shop at Ikea, which frankly isn't worth it. "Ikea: Half a step up from orange crates."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Jun 4 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]454954[/snapback]</div>

Hey - orange crates are valid lifestyle choice! That said, Ikea does have some nice pieces of furniture - just stick with the all-wood items. I got a nice coffee table and dresser from them. Plus meatballs and weird Sweedish food stuffs!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ May 27 2007, 06:47 PM) [snapback]450801[/snapback]</div>

I would like to see walmart install an electrical charging station for the future plug in's of America and my own plug in conversion.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 28 2007, 04:41 PM) [snapback]451152[/snapback]</div>

Penn & Teller is BS

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 4 2007, 04:18 PM) [snapback]455234[/snapback]</div>

I know what you mean! I wanted to get some better pictures, but I was already getting stares for parking there and standing around taking pictures with a camera phone wasn't helping.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bgdrewsif @ May 27 2007, 02:04 AM) [snapback]450705[/snapback]</div>

Yes, all those union autoworkers that give us a hard time for buying a foreign car are shopping at a store selling foreign furniture. Go figure!

 

Fry's have reserved spaces for "Electric Vehicles".

 

two spots?

Hm... if that happened in an Ikea by us, I don't think I'll be able to park there.. ever Last time we were in Ikea, there were 4 prii parked in just that one row of spots where I parked.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 28 2007, 06:41 PM) [snapback]451152[/snapback]</div>

Or watch their "Nukes, Hybrids & Lesbians" episode and watch them say our car looks like and otter and a dustbuster uh... did something I can't say in a family-friendly forum.

 

We stopped at the IKEA in Pittsburgh a week ago and I didn't see any spaces reserved for hybrids.... and I drove by several of the family spaces in a couple of rows. Oh well...

 

Re: IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

Couldn't agree with some of your comments more!
Family Parking, Expectant Mother, Mother with child, come on give me a break! These are people who need to walk! Some breeder with a mob of fat kids who jump out off a huge SUV or 4 x 4 should have to park in the rear 40! I've parked my motorcycle in one, and have wondered if anyone has ever figured this one out?
Employee of the month, how much does this employee spend in the store itself? More than I? What about Customer of the Month? Without customers there would be no employees!
Whole thing about these "special" parking spots is that it's not an enforceable traffic violation for someone else to park here who does not meet this special qualifications. (Where as parking in a Handicap spot is.)

 

Re: IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

That's a good point, what if someone parks in that space. What can the store do.

 

Re: IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

OMG... this is so funny. When I bought the Prius my buddies reminded me of the South Park episode about Hybrids and smugness. We were sitting around coming up with smugness ideas and one was that Hybrids should get parking spots like the handicap. The justification is those that buy Hybrids are just plain smarter and need to be protected from the danger of parking lots . This was all in fun and now it is happening.

 

Re: IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

They could ask to please move, but that's about it!
I have Disabled American Veteran plates on my car (not our Prius), they are there for a reason, I'm a disabled Veteran.
I don't require nor am I eligible for a disabled place card. I do sometimes walk with the aide of a cane, due to an old knee injury.
I don't think they'd ask me to move, if they did I'd really question why.
Nothing in (NY) V+T law denotes anything about "special" spaces other than Disabled parking.
It's a non issue, surely this deals with private property and they could say you were trespassing. A very hard thing for them to do since there is no illegal intent. Most if not all parking lots are governed by local police departments, Police Parking Enforcement, thus the Private Property stance is very questionable.

NYS Drivers Manual:
"RESERVED PARKING FOR THE DISABLED
Parking reserved for people with disabilities is not merely a convenience, it is a legal requirement. These special parking spaces for motorists with disabilities ensure safe and equal access to goods and services, access which is taken for granted by most of us. You can help by parking in reserved spaces only if you have a permit or plates for people with disabilities, and only when the person who received the permit or plates is in the vehicle.
It is illegal for any vehicle to park, stop, or stand in a space reserved for the disabled unless it has license plates for the disabled issued by the DMV, a New York State Parking Permit for the Disabled (MV-664) issued by a locality, or a similar plate or permit issued by another state. In addition, the vehicle must actually be in use to transport the disabled person named in the registration or permit. This law applies to spaces reserved and posted by local ordinance on streets and highways, and those set aside by state law in shopping centers that have five or more stores and 20 or more off-street parking spaces available to the public.
It is a misdemeanor to make a false statement or give false information on an application for license plates. Making a false statement or providing misinformation to obtain a parking permit for a person with a disability is punishable by a fine from $250 to $1,000, plus a mandatory surcharge of $30, and potential civil penalties from $250 to $1,000. These penalties apply both to the applicant and to a doctor providing certification.
Reserved spaces should be marked with signs such as the one shown, and also may be designated with pavement markings. Also, do not park in the diagonally-striped spaces next to reserved parking areas. These spaces are needed to enable access by those with wheelchairs and specially-equipped vehicles.
The fines for on-street parking violations are set by localities. Unless a locality sets higher penalties, the fine for a shopping center violation is $50 to $75 for a first offense and $75 to $150 for a second offense within two years in the same locality. A mandatory surcharge of $30 will be added to each penalty."

 

Re: IKEA offers exclusive parking spaces to "green" drivers!

here ikea always have free parking and a lot of them!