Parking lot etiquette

[Chaps]

OK, next rookie question.

Is it frowned upon to park my bike in a spot other than a full parking spot (like the sidewalk near the entrance of a store or the lined off area on the edge of a parking area)?

I hate to take a whole spot that could be used by a car if I don't have to but I don't want to get a ticket or piss someone off.

Just curious.

(I would not ever park in a handicap spot of course)




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[Schattenreiter]

I understand that parking in the lined off area next to a handicap spot will get you a ticket as well. It is generally there for vans that unload a wheelchair. Just park in a full space and be done with it.

[justinmahn]

The parking lot is usually run by the business that maintains it. I've been told by cops that they don't do anything unless the business complains, so ask the people inside what's acceptable. That having been said, I do park in the lined areas by the handicap spots, giving plenty of room for wheelchair vehicles. Never had a ticket yet. I don't park on the sidewalks, because I worry about all the pedestrians (kids, mostly) messing with my bike.

[Big B]

Size of a vehicle has nothing to do w/ "taking up a space" Park in the lot like any other vehicle would. As for the side walk, wouldn't do it for the reasons stated above.

[John Hopkins]

In most of Britain a bike can park more or less where they like..Some Cafe's we park on the sidewalk, supermarkets always have a bike space for us..

I guess it will all change but at the moment we have it pretty easy.

John.

[kacealraid]

Here in the states, it's a person to person basis. I go to places like Publix and Wal mart, and I park on the striped walk-way between handicap spaces (Making sure there's still plenty of room for wheel chairs and the like, of course). At some businesses, I park on the sidewalk (If I am a regular and they know me). If I'm in unfamiliar territory? I park in a parking spot, with my bike backed up enough for people to see, so that they don't run over it trying to get an "open" spot.

[PA Dave]

A note about parking in the striped area next to the handicapped parking...don't do it. Leaving "enough room" for a wheelchair may not leave enough room for the lift that some handicapped vans are equipped with. I have a good friend who is quadriplegic as a result of an accident trimming trees and he often returns to his van only to find that he can't go anywhere because someone parked in the striped area. Sometimes, it's for several hours. The controls of his van are such that it can't be driven by someone else so he can't even just ask someone to back it up for him so he can get in. In heat or cold, this is more than just an inconvenience for him, it can become a serious issue. "Enough room" was determined by the person who laid out the parking lot and they put big stripes there so we will know not to park there. Please, please don't.

To put it a different way, if he were to drive half in our lane on the highway we wouldn't be okay with it just because he left "enough room" for us in the other half of the lane.

I'm probably sounding like a jerk...I apologize if I am, but it's something we all need to be aware of.

[CrazyDave]

Parking/sidewalk Ettiquette

[Big B]

Originally Posted by PA Dave

A note about parking in the striped area next to the handicapped parking...don't do it. Leaving "enough room" for a wheelchair may not leave enough room for the lift that some handicapped vans are equipped with. I have a good friend who is quadriplegic as a result of an accident trimming trees and he often returns to his van only to find that he can't go anywhere because someone parked in the striped area. Sometimes, it's for several hours. The controls of his van are such that it can't be driven by someone else so he can't even just ask someone to back it up for him so he can get in. In heat or cold, this is more than just an inconvenience for him, it can become a serious issue. "Enough room" was determined by the person who laid out the parking lot and they put big stripes there so we will know not to park there. Please, please don't.

To put it a different way, if he were to drive half in our lane on the highway we wouldn't be okay with it just because he left "enough room" for us in the other half of the lane.

I'm probably sounding like a jerk...I apologize if I am, but it's something we all need to be aware of.

Nope, completely agree w/ not parking anywhere near a handicap space. Not only is it wrong, but if you've noticed, some of those drivers are not in the best of parking faculties. Rarely are they in the lines of the space. They hit your bike, don't blame them for being parked somewhere you shouldn't have been.

[csk415]

If there are designated spots for bikes I park in them if not its in a normal space. As bikes get more popular more businesses are starting to make bike only parking. Do what you think is right but expect to be told wrong by someone.

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