Parking Etiquette

I've always wanted to be one of those special guys who get to park on sidewalks, but I also don't want block people or be a jerk to the general public. I couldn't find anything in the forum about this so I thought I'd kick one off. As a pedestrian I never really minded seeing bikes on sidewalks or in those yellow-striped zones that cars aren't supposed to park on, but then again I enjoy seeing bikes close-up. Anyone know the legalities or have a comment on the etiquette with regards to parking on sidewalks or in non-parking-space areas? Anyone ever been given a ticket for doing so and what town/state/country?

I use to park between the street and sidewalk when I was living downtown Denver, and never had a problem. But in most cases it's going to be illegal to park directly on a sidewalk or in cross-striped parking areas. You'll have to play it by ear.

You don't want to make people walk off the walk to get by though. You'll have a better shot in the cross-striped areas in the parking lots.

I know on some State and private college campuses, parking in non marked spaces equals instant ticket. I think they are really looking for the added revenue they get for charging for parking, more than a safety/nuisance issue. However, I have been to a few campuses where they have specific spots for parking motorcycles and sometimes I get to park there for free. The free parking usually depends on the security guard on duty.  If I am in a public space, i.e. in the city, I usually try to find proper parking locations. In other areas like in or near apartment complexes I'll find spots where it looks like no one will be bothered by it's location or in an area where people will NOT be tempted to mess with it.

Long story short, I usually go with my gut. If it feels unsafe or a potential fine waiting to happen, I'll find a more appropriate/legal place to park. Personally I am more worried about theft and/or vandalism than by parking fines. I would much rather come back to a bike with a ticket on it, than to no bike at all. In some areas of L.A. County (Where I used to live) the parking is so strictly enforced, parking on the curb is an instant ticket or even tow.

Sorry but sidewalks are for people. Wheelchairs, strollers, people walking 2 abreast, etc. will thank you for not parking where people walk. And I'll thank you for not pissing off the general public who already see's me as an a-hole for even riding a motorcycle. When I would ride into Boston, I could always worm in next to a big dumpster or other odd spot where a car couldn't fit and left the sidewalk for the pedestrians.

Unless it is specifically designated as "Motorcycle Only" you should park the same as any other (4 wheeled) vehicle.   To do otherwise creates ill will from the general public.

It varies from place to place. :lurk:

Some stores have a bike rack out front near the door. If it's not full of bicycles as intended, I may park there. Or along the concrete next to the building, out of peoples way.  Going to Laguna Seca, at one motel we parked our bikes in the courtyard, so did everyone else. That was cool.

For a time I lived in an apartment that had a back courtyard with everyones back steps going down into it. The manager was OK with me pulling my bike around into the back and parking under the stairs. At another place I parked on the sidewalk, but on a small section leading from the main sidewalk to the curb, right in front of the building. Never had a problem with that.

Unless you count the time I locked the front brake on the grass, and fell with my chest against a car fender, ouch.
Hey, it was my first bike. :goofy:

http://www.urbandict...orcycle parking

Some other terms that bikes get labaled with for using a regular parking stall. :)

[image: View Post]Kel, on 28 October 2011 - 06:31 PM, said:

Sorry but sidewalks are for people.
It's legal to park on the sidewalk in Melbourne (Australia).  

I'm always sad to see the law in one place create anger when it's not followed, when in a nearby country the law is different and therefore nobody gets upset.  Lane splitting is the same - although while it's not legal here drivers don't mind.  Unlike in America where if it's illegal to split lanes people get angry and try and cut you off?  What's up with that attitude?

[image: View Post]bayarearider, on 28 October 2011 - 07:55 PM, said:

http://www.urbandict...cycle%20parking

Some other terms that bikes get labaled with for using a regular parking stall. :)

Exactly why when I use a regular parking space (which I usually do) I park the bike at the outside of the space so some clueless cager doesn't whip in, and smash it thinking it's empty. That happened to someone I knew once. Scratch one pristine '72 XS650.

I had someone give me shit about this once. My question was what if I had driven my truck instead? They didn't have a comeback for that one. A parking space is a parking space it doesn't matter whether I choose to park my VFR or my F150.

If there is a non-designated spot where I feel the bike will be safe, and not in the way of anyone I'll put it there, but those spots are few, and far between.

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 28 October 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Kel, on 28 October 2011 - 06:31 PM, said:

Sorry but sidewalks are for people.
It's legal to park on the sidewalk in Melbourne (Australia).  

I'm always sad to see the law in one place create anger when it's not followed, when in a nearby country the law is different and therefore nobody gets upset.  Lane splitting is the same - although while it's not legal here drivers don't mind.  Unlike in America where if it's illegal to split lanes people get angry and try and cut you off?  What's up with that attitude?
I can say from living and riding/driving in England for three years, as well as Italy,France,Spain. That you make a good point. I think that the people here as a general rule have an attitude problem when it comes to dealing with people they don't know, whether on the road or in a store...Where-ever ..... Unless there is someone they do know, that they don't want them to catch them at it. Most of which don't see it in themselves, only in others. Where as if they are like that in other Countries they are good at hiding it.
That's what I found from growing up in the U.S., than living outside, then coming back here. I like The USA but I could do without the attitute.
The reason I'm taking the hit and saying this, is because it can be dangerous when applied to being on a public road. There's enough unconscious drivers everywhere, we don't need attitude as well.
When I drove semi's OTR, I can't imagine the havoc I could cause driving those things with some of this attitude.
If we know someone we're fine, and this of course does not include anyone on this forum. We're normal.

MBrane, It's funny that you mentioned that about the driver upset about you taking up a parking spot. A friend and I were on our bikes and we were going to a museum. The parking attendant asked for money for both of us and my friend said "What if we only took up one spot? would we both still have to pay?" He said,"Yes, it's not about the number of spots, but the number of vehicles". We both reluctantly paid and proceeded to take up two spots! Technically we could have taken up just one spot leaving an opening for another vehicle, or two more bikes at the very least, but we took up two because we paid for them.

Sorry, didn't mean to change the topic a little...

My view is this, it's called a sidewalk.  So if you plan to walk with your bike, then fine.  It is not called a sidepark.  And for parking lots and the striped areas, if you are out of the flow of traffic, and don't pose a visual restriction to other parking lot users, park in the striped areas.
As for my personal parking practices, I can always stand to lose a few pounds, so I tend to park one empty spot away from the door-to-door/every-spot-filled congestion and walk my fatass the rest of the way.

[image: View Post]Duc2V4, on 29 October 2011 - 12:08 AM, said:

A friend and I were on our bikes and we were going to a museum. The parking attendant asked for money for both of us and my friend said "What if we only took up one spot? would we both still have to pay?" He said,"Yes, it's not about the number of spots, but the number of vehicles". We both reluctantly paid and proceeded to take up two spots! Technically we could have taken up just one spot leaving an opening for another vehicle, or two more bikes at the very least, but we took up two because we paid for them.
A few years back the Melbourne city council decided they would ban bikes from parking on the sidewalk (or at least discuss the idea).  So the very next day all the bikers did what they are legally entitled to do, and that is park their motorcycle in a car space.   People were LIVID!  There was such a huge backlash from car drivers, the idea was quietly dropped.

What has happened since then is common sense.  The places where it's just silly to let bikes park are marked as such and you can't park your bike there.  The rule is that you must maintain a 2 meter clearance for pedestrians between your bike and the building, or between your bike and the curb (if you park up against the building for example), and if you can't do that you can be fined.   Sydney is now considering footpath parking because it works so well in Melbourne.  Yay!  Common sense!

Here's the PDF booklet provided by the local roads authority.

http://www.vicroads....0/TR2001102.pdf

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 29 October 2011 - 04:51 AM, said:

Yay!  Common sense!
Same here. You can park about anyhere as long as you use common sense otherwise you might find your bike towed.

Not here in New Zealand. Ticket time if the parking warden gets to you.

I just retuned from a trip to Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey) and I saw more scooters than people, most of which were parked between the sidewalk and the street or in designated parking areas (HUGE areas with seemingly thousands for scooters and the occasional bike).  I loved it.  Why can we, in the USA, not embrace two wheel transportation with the same enthusiasm (or at least creative parking)?  Oh, guess what I didn't see many of...big ass pickup trucks...

[image: View Post]hondalover, on 29 October 2011 - 04:14 AM, said:

My view is this, it's called a sidewalk.  So if you plan to walk with your bike, then fine.  It is not called a sidepark.  And for parking lots and the striped areas, if you are out of the flow of traffic, and don't pose a visual restriction to other parking lot users, park in the striped areas.
As for my personal parking practices, I can always stand to lose a few pounds, so I tend to park one empty spot away from the door-to-door/every-spot-filled congestion and walk my fatass the rest of the way.

So, do you also park on parkways and drive in your driveway?



Sorry, had to do that... :biggrin:

[image: View Post]03vfrrider, on 29 October 2011 - 08:52 AM, said:

I just retuned from a trip to Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey) and I saw more scooters than people, most of which were parked between the sidewalk and the street or in designated parking areas (HUGE areas with seemingly thousands for scooters and the occasional bike).  I loved it.  Why can we, in the USA, not embrace two wheel transportation with the same enthusiasm (or at least creative parking)?  Oh, guess what I didn't many of...big ass pickup trucks...

You may have answered your own question in your last statement..."big a$$"....o:

Back in the late sixties I  parked my Honda 350 on the sidewalk outside my work place in downtown Minneapolis. When I returned I had a ticket. Never did that again.  Illegal in Minnesota.

[image: View Post]03vfrrider, on 29 October 2011 - 08:52 AM, said:

I just retuned from a trip to Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey) and I saw more scooters than people, most of which were parked between the sidewalk and the street or in designated parking areas (HUGE areas with seemingly thousands for scooters and the occasional bike).  I loved it.  Why can we, in the USA, not embrace two wheel transportation with the same enthusiasm (or at least creative parking)?  Oh, guess what I didn't many of...big ass pickup trucks...

I think that in Countries where peeps use a lot of two wheelers, it makes it much clearer to the general public that it's easier on all, to allow lane splitting/group parking outside of car spots, etc. As the cost of driving cars(gas)goes up I think we'll see it get better over here for the two wheelers.

I never cross the line between road and sidewalk, however on occasion I will park in yellow striped areas within a parking lot.  For me it is a question of common sense - if the yellow striped area is in front of a garbage bin to keep the area clear, I avoid it.  I also tend to avoid yellow striped areas on a road. However, if the yellow striped area is in a lot intended to deter parking of cars in a spot that it too small, and there is ample room for my bike without being an obstruction I will make use of it.   Never had a problem with that.

When I do use a full spot I generally park near the back of the spot to ensure that I am easily seen before a car uses my bike as a speed bump.

If I see another bike parked in a full spot and there is ample room for my bike (i.e. they are parked at a side and not at an angle) I will pull in to park beside them.

I don't understand why anyone would think they should park anywhere except a parking space. Someone parking on a sidewalk or sideways or anywhere else that is not a designated spot is just looking for some extra attention, look at me, look at me, I have a motorcycle, aren't I cool. Please, please look over here. Stop trying so hard, nobody cares.
My responce is made in general, and is not directed at any one of the previous comments, just my opinion. You ego maniacs know who you are.

It does vary.
In Manhattan, where there is no street parking period, I do park on sidewalks.
The trick is to remove plate, cover up the VIN and chain the bike to an immovable object.
That way, I don't get a ticket and they can't tow it ;)
Also, to place the bike in such a way that doesn't bother peds.

[image: View Post]Kel, on 28 October 2011 - 06:31 PM, said:

Sorry but sidewalks are for people. Wheelchairs, strollers, people walking 2 abreast, etc. will thank you for not parking where people walk.
Roads are for powered vehicles, too, but it doesn't seem to stop the bicycle nuts from taking their underpowered and underbraked exercise machines out into a multi-lane highway to play and then bitching that they're surrounded by faster vehicles and it's like, dangerous.

There aren't many sidewalks where pedestrians couldn't pass a parked motorcycle.

Sometimes if I go to a big store with its own dedicated lot. I'll park up somewhat near the entrance, right up against the building, but not in the way of any access, thruway, exit, or firewater outlet. Nothing/nobody gets blocked.

Saves space in the lot, and prevents errant cagers from backing into it or opening their doors and whacking the bike, etc.

But if it's "on-street" parking, I don't park on the sidewalk.

After 9/11 a lot of shopping places (around here anyway) no longer allow motorcycles to park on the side walk because they have fuel.

I will admit that I have parked on sidewalks before but only if two conditions existed:
1.  No designated motorcycle parking exists.
2.  I am not in anyway blocking pedestrian traffic (Like a Walmart entrance)
My concern was always in protecting my bike after watching no less than 8 cages try to pull into a parking spot my R6 was in while I was eating breakfast one time.  

Now-a-days I just don't take my bike to places that don't have designated motorcycle parking.  Of course around here there is a large motorcycle presence and even the malls have designated motorcycle parking near the entrances so it's really not an issue for me and I haven't parked on a side walk in years.

[image: View Post]Olive, on 29 October 2011 - 10:34 AM, said:

I never cross the line between road and sidewalk, however on occasion I will park in yellow striped areas within a parking lot.  For me it is a question of common sense - if the yellow striped area is in front of a garbage bin to keep the area clear, I avoid it.  I also tend to avoid yellow striped areas on a road. However, if the yellow striped area is in a lot intended to deter parking of cars in a spot that it too small, and there is ample room for my bike without being an obstruction I will make use of it.   Never had a problem with that.

I had a ranger at the Grand Canyon give me grief for that.  I told him I was just leaving the last space for a car, and he said 'too bad for the car'.  [shrug...]

Last summer they were debating the issue of charging for on-street motorcycle parking in Toronto (currently free).  I have no problem with that, but it is a pay&display system with no secure way to display on a bike, and cagers would stroke out if a bike took up all the space that they'd paid for.  I don't live there or ride there, but I have no doubt that whatever they decide on will be a mess.

Glenn

Never take 2 spots. Someone might get mad.   http://youtu.be/C8ECeEjF-7k?t=2m5s If that doesn't work click below, scroll to 2:05 if in a hurry.

[image: View Post]OliverTwisted, on 29 October 2011 - 11:06 AM, said:

I don't understand why anyone would think they should park anywhere except a parking space. Someone parking on a sidewalk or sideways or anywhere else that is not a designated spot is just looking for some extra attention, look at me, look at me, I have a motorcycle, aren't I cool. Please, please look over here. Stop trying so hard, nobody cares.
My responce is made in general, and is not directed at any one of the previous comments, just my opinion. You ego maniacs know who you are.

There are legit reasons why people park bikes out of "authorized" spots.  I have parked on the sidewalk if there's plenty of room because I think I'm saving a "full" space for a car.   Funny, even I get mad when I'm driving around in my car, looking for a spot, and see one taken up by a lone bike.  Nice to save the spot for a car if you can park the bike out of the way.

Set aside the fact that parking out of "marked for parking" areas is illegal ........... There are people that feel it is not right to waste space, ie;"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up to much space". Then there are ppl that park in areas that will increase the odds of their bikes/cars not be damaged, and they go about it in different ways, one may park up front near the door so not to walk any further than necessary buy parking in two slots at the same time, and there are some that park away from any area that others are parking in which case will have to walk furture to get to the door, etc.

I have never thought when parking in a yellow stripped area that I was doing it to stand-out. I do it for the same reason that when I park legally in a marked spot, I'll leave the bike closest to the entrance of the slot so it won't be assumed nothing is in that slot by ppl that see some space and whip it in there to find out to late that there was a bike in that slot.

Unfortunately the ppl that are trying to not be wasteful and also protect their bikes are subject to laws for the general puplic. So we park at our own risk to be safe.

I'll never take two spots. I'll never take two spots. I'll never...