Iowa City moving forward with permit system for downtown moped parking

IOWA CITY – The City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to require permits for moped and motorcycle parking downtown.

Two more votes are needed to adopt the ordinance.

Mopeds are popular with college students, and drivers currently are allowed to park their vehicles alongside bicycles at racks. But there have been complaints about mopeds being on sidewalks and blocking racks.

A permit would cost $45 annually, with the cost prorated at $5 a month for the nine-month academic year. There would be designated parking, with about 142 spaces on or near the University of Iowa campus.

If approved, the permit system would not be implemented until January 2012.

Violators would be fined $15.

A few council members said they would have preferred the parking was free, but the cost to the city and possible confusion with the UI charging for similar parking changed their minds.

Moped and motorcycle drivers could park in metered spaces and ramps, which wouldn't require a permit.