[Perry Rhodan]

Backing into a parking spot > Backing into cross traffic

Agree!

Backing up into cross traffic may be illegal depending on you local regulations, it is where I live. And there's an increased risk of at fault collision.

 

[Perry Rhodan]

I reckon this is very regional. We have areas that have both requirements. One place (only one I know of) has angle parking where you are required to back in. Some people are comically bad at it. We have other lots that specify "Nose in parking only" - these tend to be tighter lots. But these are private rules set by the lot, not by law. Conversely, our local Costco has spaces so big you can pretty much open the door 100% and not hit the car next to you. You could probably park an Abrams tank within the lines at Costco.

I don't think it's controversial to say that the average driver can more easily pull in forwards to perpendicular spots. Reversing into a defined/confined space is not so easy for some. I'm not aware of any locality near me that forbids reversing out of a parking space. Most lots are on private property, and most street parking is parallel.

Cross traffic as in backing out of a drive way into a street or road. That's illegal here.

Funny thing, my wife has been pulling in our parking spot for ever. It's always been a somewhat complicated process for her involving a few back and forth to get in. I back up and it's done in a single maneuver. She recently tried backing in and after a few attempts this is now her favourite way of parking. Of course she put the onus for not letting her know this was much easier by telling "You never told me it was easier to back up" even though she's been in the car countless times when I park.

 

[Perry Rhodan]

Citation requested.

http://bylaws.vancouver.ca/2849c.PDF

39. The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same into an intersection or over a crosswalk and shall not in any event or at any place back a vehicle unless such movement can be made in safety.
39A. No person shall, unless first approved by the City Engineer, drive a vehicle in reverse to enter or leave a roadway except where such action will not obstruct the orderly flow of traffic on the street.

 

[Perry Rhodan]

Same here, we have quite a few charger on sidewalks or road side so the right side port works well. There one location with 4 chargers on the left side of a one way. There‘s a bike line parallel to the spots in close proximity that always worry me when I charge there.

 

[Perry Rhodan]

The “Unless it can be done safely” and “except where such action will not obstruct the orderly flow of traffic on the street” clauses don’t make it illegal. They impose a responsibility on the driver to do these actions only in a safe manner.

If there’s traffic and you back out causing traffic to slow or stop thats obstructing the orderly flow of traffic. Hence my comment was backing out in cross traffic. We see this all the time and cops can and will ticket you for this.

Backing out at 2 am with no traffic is quite different than at during 6 pm rush hour.

You’ve asked for a citation and I gave you one. Feel free to take it out with the city of Vancouver if you disagree. Only the second bylaw is relevant.