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Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice regarding a recurring parking issue in my neighborhood. Parking here is incredibly scarce, and motorbike bays are almost always full. As a result, I often have to park my scooter in the small gaps between driveway/garage entrances.
To be respectful, I always aim for the spaces between two garages where there is enough room for both a car and my scooter without blocking access. My scooter is compact, and it fits perfectly without obstructing the driveway or the street.
A while back, a neighbor with a truck complained, claiming they might knock my bike over. I moved it to avoid conflict, even though there was plenty of room.
I started parking in a spot next to a car that never moves, located near a garage entrance. The homeowner came out to tell me to leave space for her to move her car. I pointed out that there is plenty of room for her to maneuver, but she argued that she wants to keep the area clear so she can park another car in front of her garage.
She has now intentionally moved her stationary car forward to block me from parking in that spot. To make matters more frustrating, she frequently parks a different car directly in front of her own garage entrance over the weekends for days
It feels unfair that she is hoarding multiple spots—her garage, the spot her stationary car occupies, and the street space in front of her driveway—while the rest of us struggle just to find a place to park our household car.
-Am I in the wrong here? I’m trying to be mindful of space, but I feel like I have as much right to the public street as anyone else, provided I’m not blocking access.
-Is it worth involving the authorities? I’ve considered calling town services to report the situation, but I’m worried that since I’m not actually being "blocked in" (I can get out), they won't take it seriously or might even cite me instead.
-How should I handle this? I’d really rather avoid a "parking war," but I’m tired of being pushed around when I’m just trying to park my scooter legally.
-Has anyone dealt with a "territorial" neighbor like this before? What is the best way to handle this without it escalating into a full-blown neighborhood feud? Any advice would be appreciated.