Musicians need a spot to load in that isn’t blocks away from the venues we perform at.
Recently I had a gig at a downtown venue and I stopped at a taxi stand with my hazard lights on. I have two speakers that weigh 57lbs each and in the 3 minutes it took me to carry them inside I got a $130 parking ticket. After conversations with fellow musicians I discovered that several others had received the tickets as well. Please note that this particular spot is a new taxi stand and I have yet to witness taxis use it.
$130 ticket is more than half our pay for our gigs and more than most musicians like myself can afford. I realize there are load in passes available in Ottawa but they are very expensive.
There should be exceptions made for musicians who are loading in equipment across the city. Our equipment is not only expensive but there are also several areas in Ottawa where it’s not safe to leave your equipment in your car as there’s a high risk of it being stolen. There are several musicians who have experienced theft.
I have requested a court date to fight my ticket and urge others to do so.
Please sign this petition and share with your friends.
Thank you,
Jayla Kirkey Musician
Updates
October 15, 2024
I truly never imagined that so many of you felt the same frustration about load in zones. It humbles me to see this growing momentum because this is entirely the result of your own dedication to our local music community.
Reached 100 supporters
October 15, 2024
79 Comments
This issue is very important to our industry. If a contractor doing renovations needed to load into a building, would they be treated the same way? Likely not. Would be great if venues get on board as well.
Austin Texas and Nashville Tennessee both have these parking/loading areas for their musicians. We are not leaving our cars in the parking spots, just loading and unloading heavy equipment to and from venues. Live music benefits our local economy and cultural value as a city.
Fellow victim of getting a parking ticket while trying to unload heavy gear out of my car. This has also happened multiple times to me. The City of Ottawa's parking officers are unreasonable and expect us working musicians to work within illogical means. Let's put an end to this, please.
Musicians in Ottawa need to be able to load instruments, equipment and gear into a venue without getting a ticket. Especially during the winter months where snow and ice create safety hazards.
We have thousands of dollars of equipment that we cannot leave unattended in our cars for any amount of time in many areas of the city without running the risk of it getting stolen.
It's shameful that a petition is even needed for this to
Gig Parking needs to happen so people like myself and others can safely load expensive heavy stuff in to the venue we work.
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Musicians need a spot to load in that isn’t blocks away from the venues we perform at.
Recently I had a gig at a downtown venue and I stopped at a taxi stand with my hazard lights on. I have two speakers that weigh 57lbs each and in the 3 minutes it took me to carry them inside I got a $130 parking ticket. After conversations with fellow musicians I discovered that several others had received the tickets as well. Please note that this particular spot is a new taxi stand and I have yet to witness taxis use it.
$130 ticket is more than half our pay for our gigs and more than most musicians like myself can afford. I realize there are load in passes available in Ottawa but they are very expensive.
There should be exceptions made for musicians who are loading in equipment across the city. Our equipment is not only expensive but there are also several areas in Ottawa where it’s not safe to leave your equipment in your car as there’s a high risk of it being stolen. There are several musicians who have experienced theft.
I have requested a court date to fight my ticket and urge others to do so.
Please sign this petition and share with your friends.
Thank you,
Jayla Kirkey Musician
Updates
October 15, 2024
I truly never imagined that so many of you felt the same frustration about load in zones. It humbles me to see this growing momentum because this is entirely the result of your own dedication to our local music community.
Reached 100 supporters
October 15, 2024
79 Comments
If Uber Eats drivers can park in front of restaurants for long periods of time without penalty, there is no reason why music bands unloading their instruments should have to be penalized.
This issue is very important to our industry. If a contractor doing renovations needed to load into a building, would they be treated the same way? Likely not. Would be great if venues get on board as well.
Austin Texas and Nashville Tennessee both have these parking/loading areas for their musicians. We are not leaving our cars in the parking spots, just loading and unloading heavy equipment to and from venues. Live music benefits our local economy and cultural value as a city.
Fellow victim of getting a parking ticket while trying to unload heavy gear out of my car. This has also happened multiple times to me. The City of Ottawa's parking officers are unreasonable and expect us working musicians to work within illogical means. Let's put an end to this, please.
Musicians in Ottawa need to be able to load instruments, equipment and gear into a venue without getting a ticket. Especially during the winter months where snow and ice create safety hazards.
We have thousands of dollars of equipment that we cannot leave unattended in our cars for any amount of time in many areas of the city without running the risk of it getting stolen.
It's shameful that a petition is even needed for this to
Gig Parking needs to happen so people like myself and others can safely load expensive heavy stuff in to the venue we work.
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Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
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If Uber Eats drivers can park in front of restaurants for long periods of time without penalty, there is no reason why music bands unloading their instruments should have to be penalized.