Motorcycle Parking

[ballast]

So I was loading up in the Costco parking lot and one of the gals picking up carts walked over and thanked me for parking my motorcycle in a regular parking space. Apparently bikes are parked in some very odd and stupid places on a regular basis. She said one bike parked between the handicap spots and refused to move.
I always park in regular spots unless specific motorcycle parking is available. This is one preventable bitch people have about motorcyclists.

[dabull]

ditto...usually try to park on a side of the spot to allow another bike to park as well;)

[cactusjack]

I try to park in regular spaces whenever possible. If I can, I prefer a space next to an immovable obstacle, like a curb or cart corral. Then I can ensure a safe distance from the Expedition parked in the next space. Although I came out once and some woman had parked her Caddy so it was taking up about 1/3 of the 2/3 of my space I wasn't using. I guess bikers aren't real people, so common courtesy isn't needed.

[Scoot]

Nope not going to do it. Have seen several really messed up, when cager pulls in fast and then hits bike.

Here at wally world they have no problem with us parking on the big slab where they pull the carts in, I'll be way away from anyone hitting it.

Like I said not going to ever park in a car parking space, only if with a bike ride and then there are a bunch of us to take up a big space.

[rlfaubion]

Back in the early 70's Salt Lake City enacted an ordinance stating that MC's had to parallel park in a parking place no more than 18" from the curb, with one bike to a parking place where a meter was present.

We had over 200 bikes show up at 7:00am to park downtown, one bike to a spot on a Saturday - their biggest shopping day. We had some ladies pumping change in the meters and took up the merchant's customer parking all day long.

Some people actually tried to park parallel to our bikes and share a spot. They were abruptly chased off.

The city changed the ordinance the following week.

[goldstar225]

I also use a regular parking space. Usually shallow in the space so the bike is immediately visible to anyone in a cage that wants to pull into a slot. I figure we have enough motorcyclists giving us a bad name, I don't need to add to it.

With that being said, at our local Wal-mart nothing is said about them parking next to the building. The handicap area is another thing though, stiff fines apply there.

[phenrichs]

Yeah I wouldn't take a handicap spot. I do park in regular spaces but I am always very nervous. I know someday I will come out of the store....... You know the rest. But I also don't like the idea of parking up near the entrance. I guess I am afraid of a ticket or someone messing with it there.

[mikey911s]

About the handicap spot..... As many of you know, I have had a kidney transplant and a hip replacement recently and I have a handicap parking tag. I also have a Voyager trike kit on the Nomad and regularly use a handicap spot when I can't get a regular one fairly close. The point of this reply is this: Would you believe that I have resorted to making copies of my state issued handicap tag that I hang on the Nomad? I have had 3 tags stolen from my bike while I was inside the store. TFF...I just laugh about it now, but at first I was really pissed. Go figure!

[watchman]

In Missouri you can get handicap plates for motorcycles. Liz and I usually park fairly far away from the doors and put both bikes in one parking space. We also usually try to find a row with traffic running both directions and then pull through the spots so we can drive out and not back the bikes out. We have one bike deep in the spot and the other bike where it can be easily spotted by drivers.

[ells]

Don't like regular parking spots and try to stay away from them but would never interfere with a handicap spot either. Quite common around here to slip into nooks and grannies, never occurred to me that it would be a problem for anyone else. Now white-lining (lane splitting), there I can see the issue.

[stewdogg]

Originally Posted by Ells

Quite common around here to slip into nooks and grannies, never occurred to me that it would be a problem for anyone else.

I imagine it depends on who's grannie it is

[ells]

Originally Posted by stewdogg

I imagine it depends on who's grannie it is

Good catch and comback, LMAO. And now I can't get away with editing it.

"Crannies", that should be.

[stewdogg]

Sorry, I couldn't resist... I needed a little chuckle last night. Thanks!

[lw]

Handicapped spaces are sacred, and I'd never encroach on those. I'll try for the nooks & "crannies" and on occasion pull up parallel to a building if there is room on a very wide sidewalk/curb.
Regular spots are ok, but I usually try to find one next to a physical barrier like curb or cart return.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by stewdogg

Sorry, I couldn't resist... I needed a little chuckle last night. Thanks!

Stewdogg, You beat me to the punch. That was great Ells.