Social-media post of Langley driver parked on Burnaby sidewalk gains attention

A Langley driver received $190 in fines after parking on a Burnaby sidewalk to pick up a Starbucks order.

At about 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 17, a Burnaby RCMP corporal found an empty Tesla parked on the sidewalk near Holden Station, a few blocks from the detachment. The vehicle was beside a bus shelter. As the officer stood there, two women emerged from Starbucks carrying multiple drinks.

Burnaby RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj said the driver told the corporal she did not know she was prohibited from parking on the sidewalk. Police issued tickets for the parking violation and for not having a front licence plate.

Kalanj said the vehicle was also in a transit zone and a fire zone, with a hydrant between the Starbucks and bus shelter, meaning the penalties could have been greater. He said a free underground parking lot is available two or three businesses away, about 50 metres’ walk from the coffee shop.

The driver said she planned to dispute the tickets in court. Burnaby RCMP posted photos of the vehicle on social media; Kalanj said the post received more attention than expected and was intended to show that not knowing the law does not eliminate consequences for breaking it.