Here’s some good news for local moto owners. Starting this month and through October 2014, a new pilot program launched by The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) (we hear it was pushed by the Motorcycle and Scooter Coalition) will address the parking needs of motorcycles and scooters in University City and Center City. The program makes it possible to park your motor vehicles on sidewalks in residential areas and in specially designated corrals on commercial streets. Here are some more details, according to the PPA website:

For the duration of the program, motorcycles and scooters are permitted to park on sidewalks in front of the operator’s residence with a valid Residential Permit Parking (RPP) permit for that district. A Day Pass or Temporary RPP permit issued to a resident’s visitors will also be honored. On unregulated residential blocks motorcycles or scooters may park in front of their home without a permit.

On commercial streets not designated with RPP, sidewalk parking is not allowed. Instead, to accommodate the motorcycle and scooter parking needs, the PPA has installed 47 corrals in Center City and University City to provide parking spaces for 180 motor vehicles (check out the map). We noticed that on the left bank of the Schuylkill there are only three corrals available, so there may be a need for more. Suggestions for additional corrals can be submitted through the PPA Facebook page.

Here’s what you should know if you’re using a corral (from the PPA website):

“Because securing scooters was a major priority for those representing scooter riders, corrals will be equipped with a mechanism to lock the motorcycle or scooter to a post at the curb.

• During the trial period, there will be no charge to park motorcycles or scooters in the designated corrals.  Those individuals who purchased virtual permits to park on the street may apply for a refund of the prorated remaining value of the permit.

• Motorcycles or scooters parked in metered spaces outside of the designated corrals must pay the required meter fee or abide by other posted parking restrictions.

• The Philadelphia Parking Authority will increase enforcement of other vehicles illegally parked in motorcycle/scooter zones.”

The PPA welcomes feedback from motorcycle and scooter riders during the pilot program and encourages them to use their social media (here’s also their Twitter page). For more details about the program, visit this page.