Parking etiquette

Hi folks

Today's newbie question is about parking etiquette (I did search for this first, but didn't find anything).

I rode to Dickson today (my first ride out of Downer - it was very exciting - somehow it took me well over an hour to go there and back) and got to the bike parking at the shops and it was all full - three bikes all nicely spaced with no room to squeeze. So I did what I always do at Dickson and parked in a car space and didn't pay (don't tell anyone).

But it made me realise I didn't know what bike parking etiquette is, or even if there is one.

Say I had gotten there first. Should I park smack bang in the middle so I'm not near cars, or to one side so lots can fit? What about parallel car parking spots? Should I just take the whole thing, or park 45 degrees out so another bike could fit in with me?

And you know that bike park in Civic sort of behind the Wig & Pen that is always parked two deep - how does that work? Do folks only park in the back if they know they'll be there all day? How would you get out otherwise? Don't you feel bad parking someone in?

Anything else should I know? Any types of bikes to avoid? (like I would usually not park my Alfa next to a dirty beat-up car). Any parking areas to avoid?

Ta

 

Golden Rule.

(Or some exceptions if you're running really late, etc... But also be tolerant of other riders

I usually try to park to maximise space left for others - like facing the same way, so all the bikes lean the same way, etc...
Also watch out for mirrors, it really shits me when people knock mine, so I'm super careful not to push others' around.

Oh, and if you haven't noticed yet, always park facing uphill

 

Park wherever you can fit! As close to the other bikes as possible (within reason) to leave room for more bikes.

If you are parking someone in, give them some space to squeeze around you. If you don't give them enough space, expect that they may man-handle your bike to get out. (as in they may wheel your bike forward, to get out, then wheel it back). Its only fair.

When i was in Paris, i noticed that people left their hand-brakes off so others could "nudge" them when trying to squeeze into tight car spots. Now thats community spirit!

 

Parking etiquette for bikes depends on a number of things.....Are you going to be there all day, or just 5 minutes ?....Is it a designated m/c parking space ?.....are other bikes already parked there or not ?.....

If you are going to park in a spot all day, then you probably should leave some room in the bay, so another bike can park next to you. If you leave no room (ie parking smack in the middle of a spot) - then another bike will park next to you anyway, but may leave a mark as they swing their boot off their bike.......has happened to me in the past.

There are no real bikes to avoid ( although I always feel dirty parking next to a Honda ) - just use your common sense, don't park too close, stay consistent with how every other bike is parked - ie. if everyone has parked in nose-first - do the same. This keeps maximum space for bikes.

If you are only parking somewhere for 5 minutes - I park wherever the hell I like. Footpath, car space, concrete apron.......it doesn't really matter. Keep the bike out of foot traffic if you can, but don't waste time looking for a better spot......

 

I believe that in certain designated streets of Paris it is law (the sort left over from olde-tymes) that you leave your handbrake off so that others can "nudge" you along. I don't remember where I heard that and I can't find any sources, so I can't back that up.

/hijack

 

Try and reverse the bike in. That way when you take off your not trying to paddle backwards into traffic.

ohh and don't park next to a kawasaki. Their riders are usually rude and uncouth and likely to damage your bike out of jealousy ;-)

 

edited for accuracy !

:

 

You know this ragging on particular brands of bikes for no reason really brings down the forum. Why cant you be more like me? Fair, balanced and always ready to see the virtues of any bike.........Pretty damn good looking as well.

 

Duh, that's so obvious I didn't even think about it Good tip.

(and I had thought about the parking uphill bit after seeing someone try to back out of a slope in civic recently)

 

When i say as close as possible i mean within reason - leave enough room for others to dismount/mount etc

 

Someone is green with envy. Just be courteous oh and check every sign twice!!!!

Thank you just be courteous and read signs twice!

 

Thing that annoys me the most is at my local shops they have allocated 4 motorycle parks. 2 either side of a zebra crossing. Out of the 100+ car parks at the shopping centre, even when there are spaces available, cars park in the motorbike spots. And drivers get peeved at us when we park in one of their spots. But it's quite ok to take up 2 bike spots.

 

LOL, I was just about to write the same thing about Kippax. I was there a few Sundays ago to grab a paper on the scoot and pulled up as some chick was putting stuff in her car. I sat there for a few minutes thinking she was just loading her stuff in there and was leaving, but no, she locked the car and told me to "F#@& off" when I pointed at the "Motorcycle parking only" sign. Luckily there was an entire row of free parks on the other side of the footpath...Now I just park in a car park.

 

I just park where is free and seems to be out of the way of pedestrians. I take full advantage when im on the bike, cause in the huge patrol i drive, i cant even get into public carparks most of the time.

 

A bloke did this in Gungahlin once.
Miz: "hey mate - Can't park there - you've got two too many wheels"
RAAFGuy: "what the fuck?"
Miz: "Clearly the Air Force doesn't teach you to read. You're not a motorcycle. Do not park there. Parking Inspector over there *points* wont be happy about it either"
RAAFGuy: "Oh shit, thanks heaps, sorry" *moves car*

 

I have no problem parking in a car spot if there are no bike spots. Especially seeing as most people seem to be 1 person to a car anyway.

 

I saw a guy with a handicapped sticker parking in a "normal" spot once. Soon told him off. Just sayin.

 

If that ever happens again - just smile at the bitch, and tell her that when she comes back, all 4 tyres on her shitbox will be flat !!

Works for me

fuckin' lazy-arse motherfuckers who take our spots - people like this shit me no end.

 

I just carry a sledgehammer around with me incase.. pfffft - when - i see cars parked in the motorcycle spots. Violence solves EVERYTHING. Video games taught me that :aaarrrggghhh:gtfou!:

 

there is no violence in removing valve-caps.......just a lesson.