Parking lot Etiquette

[joe in calif]

Just like the people that park on the side walk in front of stores and restaurants, it IS NOT A PARKING SPACE and your wrong. If it was a parking space for motorcycles it would be specified MOTORCYCLE PARKING ONLY.

[Amos Iron Wolf]

I park in regular parking places just to keep it simple and not complicate things. I have enough frustration with people who can't even park their cage right. If you can't park something properly you shouldn't be driving/riding it.

Some cagers get pissed because a bike is taking up a parking spot. That's telling. Do they somehow feel that motorcycles aren't real vehicles and don't deserve to be treated as such? Are they of the mindset that if they could get away with something they would so they get pissed that the biker doesn't do the same?

Then again, some cagers will be pissed because you are parked in the stripes at the end of a row because they think that you think you are special. A few may even try to mess with your bike. Whatever you do, someone will be pissed and it's because of their own personal issues and little to do with you.

As for parking in the stripes of a handicap area, in Texas you can get a ticket and stiff fine regardless. Whatever else my happen in a private parking lot, the handicap areas are regulated.

Just as when I had the cage, I usually try to park strategically. Sure, I try to get close, but I pick my spot based on the route I will take exiting the place so I don't get hung up in traffic near store fronts waiting on the almost constant flow of people and cars there. I try to park any vehicle so I can get out with the least issues. Shortest route, least number of turns and congested areas, and easy to find my vehicle in a big lot. So I usually end up parking by or across from a shopping cart return in the row that will take me straight to the exit be it in cage or on the bike.

As others have said, find out first what the laws are in your area and what the store/property manager's attitude about parking in the end cap striped areas then go from there. However, NEVER park in the stripes around a handicap parking area. More importantly than it being illegal, it makes you a total JERKWAD if you do. Being just plain rude and uncaring doesn't make you a free wheeling, badazz biker. It just reaffirms you're a total freaking snot wad.

It's a good thing OP that you take the time to consider and ask about a little etiquette. Good manners never hurts and we could use a bit more around.

[Hondaguy]

Originally Posted by joe in calif

Just like the people that park on the side walk in front of stores and restaurants, it IS NOT A PARKING SPACE and your wrong. If it was a parking space for motorcycles it would be specified MOTORCYCLE PARKING ONLY.

Maybe they do it that way in California where everything has to be spelled out, ordinanced, to the point where they control which bin you throw which trash in...... That is one reason of many reasons I left San Diego after 18 years.

Here there are few or no signs or accommodations for MC Parking only (except at the large Biker bars") . No one bothers anyone who parks on a side walk whether the Mall or Home Depot. I rarely use a lined spot and have never been hassled in the 6 years I have been here. Nor do I know anyone who has. The head of security at the Mall rides and parks on the sidewalks. At Best buy they are lined up in front of the store. Same at Wal Mart.
Like with anything , use your head where you park and no one will bother you.....here anyway.

That said I won't park in any striped area nor will I have an issue with those who do. None of my business.

[gat803]

Wow.
I didn't realize that leaving a motorcycle somewhere while you do your business is such a complicated task....lol

[vito]

Originally Posted by Big B

Here's my take, anyone that can't park in a regular space, is either lazy or thinks they are better then the next guy. What makes you better then someone driving a cage? The few times I have ridden to the store, I've always parked in a marked spot. The section at the end of the rows that have been striped are like that for a reason, so no one will park there. The fact you can fit a bike there is irrelevant!

I'm scratching my head too B. Marked spot.....it's not that complicated.

[1996shadow]

I really don't believe in disrespecting someone's hard work. If I take off in an airplane, I am coming down with it, I don't jump out. Someone has worked hard to mark out parking spaces so you will know where to park. I'm going to follow their directions.You will complain if a cage driver doesn't park within a parking space, you aren't any better.

[gat803]

Originally Posted by 1996shadow

Someone has worked hard to mark out parking spaces so you will know where to park....

Actually, someone really didn't work that hard.
The design parameters for parking lots including the number and lay out of spaces, and handicap spaces/locations/numbers, are all spelled out plainly by the International Building Code which most states are now under.

There is a set formula that must be adhered to.

[Pothole]

Originally Posted by Hondaguy

Maybe they do it that way in California where everything has to be spelled out, ordinanced, to the point where they control which bin you throw which trash in...... That is one reason of many reasons I left San Diego after 18 years.

Here there are few or no signs or accommodations for MC Parking only (except at the large Biker bars") . No one bothers anyone who parks on a side walk whether the Mall or Home Depot. I rarely use a lined spot and have never been hassled in the 6 years I have been here. Nor do I know anyone who has. The head of security at the Mall rides and parks on the sidewalks. At Best buy they are lined up in front of the store. Same at Wal Mart.
Like with anything , use your head where you park and no one will bother you.....here anyway.

That said I won't park in any striped area nor will I have an issue with those who do. None of my business.

Me too. Been doing it this way for over 30 years with no issues. Last time I parked in a "lined space" came back to find my bike laying down with the rear fender smashed into the tire. Some dill rod apparently whipped in thinking it was empty and crashed into my bike. NO, they didn't have the decency to stay and wait or leave a note.

[Lakota]

Originally Posted by Hondaguy

Maybe they do it that way in California where everything has to be spelled out, ordinanced, to the point where they control which bin you throw which trash in...... That is one reason of many reasons I left San Diego after 18 years.

And . . . California is probably the most biker friendly state in the U.S.



Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com App