So where do YOU park in public lots?

[Bounce]

I park IN the handicapped zone and properly display my blue placard.

I used to park near the bicycle racks on the sidewalks in malls (when those were out of the main area of foot traffic). I got the okay from several different security guard types that they didn't care as long as it didn't block foot traffic. I don't do malls on any regular basis any more though.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I usually just use a regular parking space, leaving room for another bike to share it if they so choose, unless there is a convenient place that doesn't impede the foot traffic or disabled areas....

Gunny.
I won't park in, on, or around disabled areas. I find myself more now, parking in just a full spot. My Duc was smaller etc and I would park more frequently on the side walk in front of the store, if it was deep side walk so peds could get by. Or by the bicycle rack.

 

[MotorToad]

I ride up to the automatic door, wait for it to open, then ride up the stairs!

(You have no idea how hard this pic was to find!)

 

[FJRScorpion]

By the entrance near the door. The theft rate is pretty high around here.

 

[BadPigg]

Hashed marked spots near the end of the rows, or sometimes up near the building at the big stores .

It seems like people here like to park empty shopping carts around lone bikes in car spaces.

 

[happyPuppy]

In private lots or a company lot, I look for the attendant if they have one and ask. Most of the time behind a gate I can get get for a $5.00 "tip" . In Seattle, I was one of the people that worked with the Capitol Hill councilwoman to give reduced rates multiple bike parking in City garages. In most of WA it is not legal to park more that 1 bike in a spot. They seldom cite you for it, however. I do park on the edge of the handicapped areas if possible. I am handicapped but I realize some of the vans need more space, but a car can fit, so I do not as a rule use the space.

 

[jmdaniel]

Same place as I park my cars. Waaaaay out where no one else parks, because people are too damn lazy to walk. My 4 wheel stuff doesn't get door dinged, and my bike doesn't get sat on, or messed with.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Same place as I park my cars. Waaaaay out where no one else parks, because people are too damn lazy to walk. My 4 wheel stuff doesn't get door dinged, and my bike doesn't get sat on, or messed with.

+1

 

[Pepperell]

In any regular spot. In NH the sidewalks are considered fire lanes and you WILL get a ticket parking in front of the store. And for Cripe's sake use a bike cover! Your bike is far less attractive with no shiny parts showing, and appears as a larger object to avoid. Also keeps bird shit off the seat. I've parked this way daily (I work in a retail store) for over 5 years without incident (knock on wood).

So there.

 

[Happy Rider]

I park out in BFE under a tree next to a planter if available.

In California public parking lots such as Wally Mart, Home Depot, Staples, etc. are considered offstreet parking facilities.

Offstreet parking facilities are defined as any offstreet facility held open for use by the public for parking vehicles and includes any publicly owned facilities for offstreet parking, and privately owned facilities for offstreet parking where no fee is charged for the priviledge to park and which are held open for the common public use of retail customers.

Some are posted as Vehicle Code (VC) enforced. If posted in this manner then all the rules of the VC apply such as registration, stop signs, driving the wrong way, excessive speed, driving with a valid driver license, etc.

Regardless if posted VC enforced or not the provisions of disabled parking and having a valid driver license apply.

22507.8 VC states it is unlawful for any person to obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to those parking stalls or spaces. This includes the lines marking the boundaries of a parking stall or space and the areas designated for disabled persons marked by crosshatched lines.

So don't park there because the fine is over $400 bucks. Now that's some serious farkle money. It also looks bad to the public when they see motorcyclists parked in or about those stalls.

 

[Tenchi]

I have two friends that are handicapped qualified and one that just came off (1 has a disability, the other two are members of Team Titanium*). I asked them about how they felt RE: people parking in the hashed lines around disabled parking and the responses were a bit negative. So I don't do that, and I encourage others not to.

If it's a one way street, right at the entrance of the spot, I park with the licence plate angled back towards traffic searching for a spot (also makes it easier to get out). If it's a two way parking lot, up on the center stand, right at the entrance of the parking spot. If I think it's not going to get damaged or stolen, I'll generally park it as far away from the opening to the store as possible, where fewer people are going to be maneuvering their vehicles around for prime parking. I exercise enough that walking across the parking lot isn't going to kill me - AND it's easier to get out of the parking spot when you don't have a steady flow of traffic trying to get around you. If I see another bike parked in a spot, and they've left space, I'll park in a way that uses the space but doesn't block them.

But let's face it: the V-Strom ain't no beauty queen. More like the fugly duckling. It's not going to look any better if it kisses the tarmac, and no one's going to try to steal it while there's a shiny Kahonmazuki CBRGSXRZX1000000 around. Or if they do, they're a very sad, sad individual and probably need it more than I do.

* Titanium plates/screws/etc. in their legs from various skiing accidents.

 

[bramfrank]

I pay for a spot. I use a spot.

Parking in areas not designated for parking can have unintended side effects, such as tickets, or more importantly, someone can knock over the bike and it will be your fault for parking in a marked-out area that is protected perhaps because trucks need it for clearance when going around the corner or adapted transportation uses the space for their ramps.

I always try to park with the nose facing front (so that is some idiot doesn't see me at least he won't have pushed the bike off the stand) and as far forward in the spot asd practical so that cars can't misinterpret the space as being free and zooming in and hitting the bike.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

I thought everyone got VIP Parking with the "FJR'...

This was me at the Renaissance Dallas, they were so nice.

Of course not being a 'Social Elite Snob', I declined and they offered us (wife's bike also) VIP Valet parking at no charge.

Of course we did the parking.

 

[palerider]

... they offered us (wife's bike also) VIP Valet parking at no charge. Of course we did the parking.

Having worked as a parking valet, I can testify that you made the correct choice.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Really at most other places, I only park sidewalk if there is enough room and there is no way I will be impeding the pedestrians walking/lurking by. Many times at Wal-mart, they have such huge areas for buggy turnaround, if they are filled inside, then I will park on the sidewalk, away from any fire-lane markings or handicap markings....Just don't like being rude.

Depends on the neighborhood and how long I will be in the area.

If you are a single bike and out of the way, no authorities will bother you much. FME

 

[Draggon Rider]

Burbank Airport use to allow FREE Motorcycle parking in their parking structure. You would wheel in and out the pedestrian walkway and no one said a word. Then the sonabitches got greedy and started charging for motorcycle parking and they didn't allow MCs in the parking structure. SoooOOooo Ifin I'ma payin I'ma gona take a whole parking space. I paid for it I'm takin it!!!

I rarely park anywhere but a regular marked space. I own my space on the road and in the parking lot...

 

[pinhead]

Same place as I park my cars. Waaaaay out where no one else parks, because people are too damn lazy to walk. My 4 wheel stuff doesn't get door dinged, and my bike doesn't get sat on, or messed with.

+1

+2

 

[palerider]

Burbank Airport use to allow FREE Motorcycle parking in their parking structure. You would wheel in and out the pedestrian walkway and no one said a word. Then the sonabitches got greedy and started charging for motorcycle parking and they didn't allow MCs in the parking structure. SoooOOooo Ifin I'ma payin I'ma gona take a whole parking space. I paid for it I'm takin it!!!
I rarely park anywhere but a regular marked space. I own my space on the road and in the parking lot...

LAX still allows free parking for motorcycles.

 

[Big Shasta]

The mall has one parking space wher they converted 2 spaces to three motorcycle spots, and they had bollards and kickstand pads and everything, until the lot got resurfaced. Now it's car spaces again. But who cares, it's the mall. Who goes to the frickin' mall?

Apparently YOU...I have no idea what the parking is like at my mall.

 

[El Toro]

I use a regular space. I guess we are lucky to have relatively few jerks around here who might sit on or mess with someone else's bike. My bikes are insured, so I don't worry about theft or bumps while parked.

The biggest consideration I usually make when parking is the slope of the space. I park with the rear lower than the front for greater stability on the side stand, and for minimization of up hill backward duckwalking when its time to leave. I hate when that happens.

As others have pointed out, next to the building is often considered "fire lane," and the hashed marks anywhere in the parking lot are designated "no parking" areas. Next to a handicapped spot they're for wheel chair access, lifts, etc.