Parking your bike!

I live in FL and am new to the bike scene. As I started riding more, I noticed bikes park in regular parking spots but there are also alot that park on the side walk (or whatever you want to call it) right in front of a store or to the side. Is this legal? Does it depend on the state you live in? I feel stupid taking up a huge parking spot as I see others parking right outside the stores. Any suggestions?
 

Just like you are entitled to the entire lane, you are entitled to an entire parking spot...as far as parking on the curb and in spots that would be illegal for cars, I can't speak for Florida law, but I can tell you in Pennsylvania that it is illegal and I can't imagine that being different there.
 
Still, I do this all the time and have never gotten any sort of hassle from the law or otherwise for it...I think it's one of those things that as long as you are respectful about it and don't block an entire sidewalk or a door to a business or something, nobody really cares.

i see people here in MD doing the same thing. i sometimes think about doing it.......but then i think about what if the bike were hit or knocked over. i dont think anyone would be to blame besides me, i was illegaly parked.

Parking in any spot that is specifically designated as vehicle parking is considered illegal... you can get your bike ticketed, towed, or booted if you leave it on the sidewalk or in the slashed lines between handicapped spots.

With that said, I only do it when the bike will be there for a short period of time and I can't find a real spot. 

I've talked with a few officers here in NM, and they really don't care where the bikes are parked, as long as you aren't blocking a sidewalk. When I used to work at Best Buy a while back, I used to park right up by the building on the sidewalk. Eventually it caught on and there was always 7 or 8 bikes parked there at all times. Did that for years and no tickets were ever given.

I do it here in Ca. Only at big stores Lowes,Depot, grocery and such. I don't care to leave my bike out in the jungle so it can be rammed by the carts(cause everyone just pushes em in to any opening they can find). Most of these stores have a big front on them and it is easy to tuck away out of foot traffic.
 
Its real common so I think its over looked.

quote:

ORIGINAL: vpsophmore
Parking in any spot that is specifically designated as vehicle parking is considered illegal...

Vp, Im not trying to be an ass. But did you really mean this part of the statement?
 
 
And I would say that it really depends on the law, the officer, and the sidewalk. If its a freakin busy as hell sidewalk. Then just park in a spot. Like ShortBus said, As long as you do it respectfully you should be ok.

I pretty much always park up on the side walk.
 
I like to keep an eye on it as best as possible.

Anyone ever think that if they do park in a regular spot and park in between 2 cars up at the front of the spot, that someone could not look and just whip in thinking it was an open spot and hit your bike?
 
I think about it all the time. Depends on where I am as to where I park

i think VP meant to say "any spot NOT designated as a vehicle parking spot"...the rest of his statement kinda reflects this thought.

-Adam

quote:

ORIGINAL: isolated1523

i think VP meant to say "any spot NOT designated as a vehicle parking spot"...the rest of his statement kinda reflects this thought.

-Adam

No, I think he meant what he said. I just think the "vehicle" part can be misconstrued. There are specific areas where parking spots can only be parked in with cars. Then there are the spots just for bikes.

Just look for signs and use your common sense and never park in or by a handi-cap area.

Doh! I mean't "Parking in any spot NOT pecifically designated as vehicle parking is considered illegal"

But I still park in between cars, in the slashed lines, on sidewalks etc. and I've never heard anything of it.  I'm sure the right cop on the right day would definitely fine you for it. 

i park in the slashed lines near the front of the store.no issues yet.

quote:

ORIGINAL: vpsophmore

But I still park in between cars, in the slashed lines, on sidewalks etc. and I've never heard anything of it.  I'm sure the right cop on the right day would definitely fine you for it. 

 
For the big stores and shopping centers, the good part is that unless you are in or blocking Handicapped Parking or parked in or blocking a firelane, most police have no jurisdiction. It's private property; most state's laws only address fire lanes and handicapped parking. This won't apply, however, to sidewalks that are city property. Check your own state laws...in Texas, I don't think I've ever parked in a regular space at a Wal-Mart, mall, etc.

quote:

ORIGINAL: camaro_forums

Anyone ever think that if they do park in a regular spot and park in between 2 cars up at the front of the spot, that someone could not look and just whip in thinking it was an open spot and hit your bike?

I think about it all the time. Depends on where I am as to where I park

That's why you park shallow, it happens.

quote:

ORIGINAL: randyjoy

For the big stores and shopping centers, the good part is that unless you are in or blocking Handicapped Parking or parked in or blocking a firelane, most police have no jurisdiction. It's private property; most state's laws only address fire lanes and handicapped parking. This won't apply, however, to sidewalks that are city property. Check your own state laws...in Texas, I don't think I've ever parked in a regular space at a Wal-Mart, mall, etc.

I have not had any problems either.  At wally world I park in that big ass open spot by the building in between their entrances, most other big stores I park by the HC.  Just keep in mind guys, that the striped lines by the HC area is so they can unload wheelchairs with their lifts, etc, so remember that when parking in the striped areas.  I normally try to park in a striped area not by HC spots for this reason.

I usually park on the sidewalk if theres a safe and easy way on, If not i put the bike at an angle at the back of the spot so people see it in there

I almost always park in a "car" spot, but I make sure to just barily get into the spot, sometimes I even stick out of it an inch or two just so the bike can be seen so no car rushes into what they think is an open spot only to smash my baby 

I get nervous parking on a sidewalk cuz i don't want people touching or dropping bookshelves on my bike.....

/\/\ Haha, good reference.  There was a cop who always parked his bike on our sidewalk right in front of the Domino's.  So, either its legal in TX, or he just didn't care.  I've never actually parked on the sidewalk though, but I see people do it all the time.

i usually park in those hash lines too by the handicapped parking...i just park deep in so if someone were to unload the bike would be out of the way...i try to avoid parking in a spot...although i do forget sometimes...because i'm scared of a car pulling into the spot quickly and hitting my bike...it does happen...I heard on the radio the other day and felt so bad for this girl...she has a bike and works at a mall close to where i am....and she got onto the radio somehow and told them that someone had ran into her bike while she was in the mall working and had caused $1200 worth of damage...

piggys still DO have jurisdiction in private property to give tickets as they see fit. just because you are on a corporations property dont mean youre safe. i got a ticket for parking ON MY OWN FRONT YARD! IM NOT KIDDING! i park as close to the buidling on the sidewalk as possible, never gotten a ticket for that though.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DFour

piggys still DO have jurisdiction in private property to give tickets as they see fit. just because you are on a corporations property dont mean youre safe. i got a ticket for parking ON MY OWN FRONT YARD! IM NOT KIDDING! i park as close to the buidling on the sidewalk as possible, never gotten a ticket for that though.

 
I have to ask how and why?

quote:

ORIGINAL: CBRCRF

quote:

ORIGINAL: DFour

piggys still DO have jurisdiction in private property to give tickets as they see fit. just because you are on a corporations property dont mean youre safe. i got a ticket for parking ON MY OWN FRONT YARD! IM NOT KIDDING! i park as close to the buidling on the sidewalk as possible, never gotten a ticket for that though.

I have to ask how and why?

had a small get together at the house, street was lined with cars around the corner and my driveway was full, i had nowhere else to go but the lawn. popped it in park and started sippin coughy. piggy pulls up not even an hour later and walks into my yard and writes up my citation. apparently it is illegal to remain parked in your own front lawn for more than a certain period of time. and no i was not in the 8 ft grace period that is "city property". oh yeah it was a car, not a bike.  BUT, my pops is good freinds with city prosecutor, so i got it taken care of and never had to pay.

reminds me of a time when i was intoxicated in public (one foot on my driveway, one in the street) and almost went to jail... friggin stupid laws, im sorry for the piggys who have to enforce them and look like hos.

oh.. and CRF, how much do you weigh? does the 250 handle you well? my 360 2 stroke is facked and i want to get back on some dirt!

quote:

ORIGINAL: DFour

piggys still DO have jurisdiction in private property to give tickets as they see fit. 

 
Perhaps in Oklahoma, but not in Texas. That's why you need to know your individual state law. I can do donuts in my front yard and park a semi there.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DFour
apparently it is illegal to remain parked in your own front lawn for more than a certain period of time.

 
so you didnt get a ticket for being parked on your lawn you got a ticket for a time violation.