"Alternative Parking"
"Alternative Parking"
When I go out sometimes, I see people parking their bikes on the sidewalk or otherwise walkway. Usually this is at a packed restaurant or a store with a packed parking lot.
Now, I don't really have the ***** to try that myself because my luck dictates that I will end up with some sort of ticket for doing it. Am I wrong? What are the rules or unwritten rules around these sort of "alternative parking" practices? Do you do it? Am I just being paranoid?
Now, I don't really have the ***** to try that myself because my luck dictates that I will end up with some sort of ticket for doing it. Am I wrong? What are the rules or unwritten rules around these sort of "alternative parking" practices? Do you do it? Am I just being paranoid?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 827
From: Reston, Va
It seems like inviting trouble if not a ticket by parking on the sidewalk, especially if you're parked in a way that significantly obstructs the walkway.
Given my druthers, I would druther park farther out and hoof it in than get a close spot on the sidewalk.
Given my druthers, I would druther park farther out and hoof it in than get a close spot on the sidewalk.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
I always park on the sidewalk or walkway...NEVER the parking spaces. And, only once has a cop said anything about it. To me, the ticket is worth it. I would rather have a $35 parking ticket than a smashed or dented sled!
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
I try to park close to the store in the yellow stripped areas. One resturant I went to had a bike parking spot but if they don't, I try to park away from the cars. If I have to park in a car spot, I make sure my bike is not so far back that it can't be seen when someone pulls into the "vacant" spot. But I've never parked on the sidewalk areas.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
I've always done it more for the safety aspect. To increase odds it's still there when I get out.
I've only been hassled once. And that was a Ontario Mills which is a huge mall with crappy parking. No way I was going to park in a stall far far away from foot traffic. I got a warning and a "if I see it again it'll be towed notice". No plates on it at the time and they described it as black...and its charcoal grey. So good luck to them finding it again.
I've only been hassled once. And that was a Ontario Mills which is a huge mall with crappy parking. No way I was going to park in a stall far far away from foot traffic. I got a warning and a "if I see it again it'll be towed notice". No plates on it at the time and they described it as black...and its charcoal grey. So good luck to them finding it again.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,215
From: Green Country
I use that striped area at the end of the rows...
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I like to park my bike on the side walk at home. So when then kids walk by they go "Whoooa" and the adults start crying "why is that motorcycle on the side walk, this for people to walk on not a parking spot."