What he said is true in some states, at least PA. You can't even get a ticket in a handicapped spot unless the amount of the fine is specifically listed on the sign. Philly specifically might be slightly different on that law but I don't think so. You can park right in the middle of a travel lane in a parking lot in PA if you wanted to with no parking violations. That doesn't mean the owner of the property doesn't have every right to tow you out of there.

Also, I sometimes park in the end caps if I'm just running in quickly for something however there are two reasons those exist, the most important is so fire trucks have room to maneuver the turns and/or access hydrants. If they are painted white, you're probably fine, they probably just had extra space but not enough to make a parking spot, if they are yellow, you probably shouldn't be parking there.

 

You've never rode in California have you? Here, you are NOT entitled to the entire lane of the road...hence why we can share lanes and split traffic on bikes.


Actually, no.

That was your statement regarding why you feel people should not park on sidewalks or the hashed areas of parking lots with their bikes. The counter argument to your argument is not the exact opposite. You are trying to say that his argument is "I don't care about rules/laws or the public's general safety and thus park on sidewalks and hashed areas." If he did say it, please show me where.

He is correct to ask though that if you place such a value on rules, laws and public safety that you will only park in designated areas then why do you not place the same value on rules, laws and public safety when it comes to vehicle speed? Mind you, the majority of fatal accidents involve a vehicle moving at a speed greater than the posted speed limit, not vehicles parked in unapproved parking places thus making speeding a far more serious offense to public safety than parking. Hence by you're own argument above, that if the outcome of one's actions could result in someone's death the need to follow the laws/rules laid out for public safety becomes even more important to follow, than you're a far larger "douche" than anyone who is parking where you believe they shouldn't be.

You're disregaurd for speed limitations is putting far more people at risk than someone parking on the sidewalk and thus pointing the finger at others, especially those that are doing something that puts few if any individuals at physical risk to injury, while you go off and disregaurd these same laws and rules that you proclaim are so important when it comes to something that poses a real physical danger to others DOES make you a self rightous asshat.

Just say say what the real reason is...That, like shoping carts scattered about a parking lot (a pet peev of mine too...), bikes parking on sidewalks or hashed areas is a pet peeve of yours rather than trying to justify your personal opinion by jumping on a soap box built from the rightousness of "laws, rules and public safety". You're trying to justify your opinion and demonize those who do not agree with it using hypocritical logic based upon your own statements and actions.

With that out of the way there is one other major flaw to your logic about "laws, rules and public saftey". I do not park in handicapped spaces or blue hash areas for handicapped access. Nor do I park in red zones which are clearly marked for emergancy fire vehicles. Both would be against the law. If the establishment which I am visiting allows motorcycles to park in areas that other motorvehicles are not allowed to park in either by marking them as designated motorcycle parking or not, then I am not breaking their rules as it is the property owner who, other than hadicapped and fire zone areas, makes and enforces all traffic on their property. If I am parking in areas where motorvehicles operate anyway (hashed areas) or parking my vehicle on concrete areas accessable but not traveled by pedestrians and navigate to such areas in a safe and courtious manner then I am not making myself a hazard to public safety. Thus, just because I am not parking in a normal automobile parking space doesn't mean I am breaking laws, ignoring rules or threatening public safety.

 

wow, just wow.... There sure is an inordinate amount of hand wringers and uptight ****ers on this forum.... Park it where it fits and don't park handicapped/fire lanes. Don't go to walmart, patronize a local business, they most likely DGAS how you park.

 

This is one of those subjects where your mileage may vary widely. I was written once for parking on my own sidewalk; not the one at the street but the one 10 feet from that leading to my house. Got yelled at once in West View by the cops for parking in the center of a diaganal spot (taking up the whole thing) and for parking to one side to leave room for another scoot (you're making it harder for the cars). So my general rule is to park as I would a car until I find out what the local customs are.

FYI -- Dormont (which recruits its meter detail from the ranks of the local SS veterans) has the rule of two bikes per meter tops. Put in two slightly side by side and you can share the fee, try three and you all get tickets. And note that in the parts that haven't gone electronic yet that you can get written up on the yellow flag. As I was told "it may not say expired but it DOES say violation".

 

At least you understand and wrote it very eloquently. Thank you. We'll see if it gets through. I have doubts, as he seems pretty thick headed, and if I'm not mistaken I know the type and outcome. They'll either not respond again, or it will be drivel that doesn't match the point being made on our end. I seriously doubt that if they respond, it will be that they understand what is being said because it doesn't match what he is saying, and they just can't be having that.

 

I'll park in the hatched area if there isn't a full space around. I will continue to do so until someone says otherwise.

 

This is excellent sound advice. I do this for that very reason, as I've seen many a car come flying into a spot thinking it's empty only to find a bike, then slamming on the brakes.

This also why I don't like to park on the end, painted lines or not.


Now, as far as parking on sidewalks, I'll only do it at a known establishment that this is common place, ie; a bar, clubhouse, shop, or private residence where people park on the sidewalks all the time. However, in any other circumstance, I don't take it upon myself to act like I own the place, when I certainly do not.

 

Ooo a parking thread. Whenever possible I park on the sidewalk. If that's not possible I park in the lined section. If that's not possible I park in a front spot. If that's not possible I don't park at all. Usually. Some'a you guys are funny.

I park on the sidewalk aloone...
Yeaheh with nobody else...
Yeah & you know when I park on the sidewalk alone...
I prefer to be by my selllf!!
(or with one other rider)

 

We disagree and all feel very strongly about our reasons. You're not going to back down and neither am I so, once again, let's just agree to disagree, OK?

 

Hmmm....let's see if I have this right?

If you park in a no parking zone you're a douche?

If you speed you're a douche? So that would make some of you double douche bags?

And it only took 100 posts.......

This is almost as bad as where to put your gas cap.