Motorcycle Parking Rules ?

[laperlenoire]

Hi All,

I am new to motorcycling and there are some rules that I am not particularly familiar with:
1. Can I park in a Shopping Centre Car Park ?
2. Can I park in Stansted/Heathrow short staying car park?
3. Should I only park in motorcycle designated areas ?

If so, Am I supposed to pay for a parking ticket even though I am unable to have it displayed ?
If not, is it legal to go through the side barrier without paying as I cannot display my parking ticket?

Please consider the 2 scenarios where you have to grab a parking ticket and have it displayed but also parking with number plates recognition camera.

Can I park in Parking designated for Car and occupy the whole spot ?

Thanks.

[PyroUK]

Not sure on specifics but as a general rule of thumb with public parking, if you take up a space for a car with the bike you have to pay. This causes difficulties with pay and display. Most half decent councils will have mc bays and you shouldn't have to pay. But it is worth reading the signs to see what the rules are.

Opposite my work there is a multi story where you take a ticket from the machine and then pay at a station prior to leaving. There is a mc bay but you don't have to pay. I asked one of the attendants what the deal was and he said to go up to the barrier and press the help button and they will let you out. However most bikes just ride up the pavement and out as it's quicker.

Re supermarket ones, I generally just park somewhere out of the way as close to the entrance/exit to the shop as possible. Regardless of mc bays.

Best bet is to check signs in areas you rarely go and if there are places you regularly go, see if there is an attendant you can ask or call the council.

[Red ones]

On point 1. Depends on the shopping centre. Intu Watford is a no. I got done by security there!

[Kenzie]

Most council owned car parks will have marked mc bays or provide specific bike parking. Some shopping centres will accept bikes and they will normally display this on the rate board. I have also left my SV in areas for pushbikes and never been ticked off. I guess as long as you don't take the mick and don't cause an obstruction then most places tend to be ok.

[tj2]

I have also left my SV in areas for pushbikes and never been ticked off.



Unless of course you live in Stafford

[Red ones]

If shopping, go to Brent Cross. We don't charge for parking.

[ZER0]

I asked a couple of traffic wardens in Northampton.
They said to park in specific MC areas if possible, but failing that, to park in any parking space. No need to pay for a ticket, and better to do that than park in push bike areas!

Obviously different councils have different rules though, so worth checking with specific councils/parking attendants I'd say.

[squirrel_hunter]

I just dump the bike wherever I want, I just remember to be courteous.

Never had any problems in all my years until last week when I almost got a parking ticket. In fairness I was on a set of double yellows. But I managed to charm my way out of it even though the attendant had printed the ticket...

[LiquidFlux]

You're legally allowed to park on the sidewalk on the basis you're not obstructing pedestrians and there's no road markings disallowing you from parking on the road.

This includes double yellows, even if the pavement is wide enough for a bike to fit in and what I like to measure by, two large ladies walking past without letting one in front of the other.

The above does not include London whatsoever. Reference #244 (https://www.gov.uk/waiting-and-parking/parking-239-to-247).

Also check your local council's website, with any luck you'll find something regarding motorcycle parking and dedicated bays. I'm fortunate with Maidstone in that they offer free motorcycle bays in a few public car parks, saving the extortionate yearly parking things.

[Dipper]

You're legally allowed to park on the sidewalk on the basis you're not obstructing pedestrians and there's no road markings disallowing you from parking on the road.

This includes double yellows, even if the pavement is wide enough for a bike to fit in and what I like to measure by, two large ladies walking past without letting one in front of the other.

The above does not include London whatsoever. Reference #244 (https://www.gov.uk/waiting-and-parking/parking-239-to-247).

Also check your local council's website, with any luck you'll find something regarding motorcycle parking and dedicated bays. I'm fortunate with Maidstone in that they offer free motorcycle bays in a few public car parks, saving the extortionate yearly parking things.

..... however if parking on the pavement, strictly you are not allowed to ride over the pavement you must push the bike and cannot be seated on it while pushing.

[DJFridge]

Some multistorey carparks have a special bike exit. The carpark for Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth has quite a big bikes area and a narrow exit area which takes you past the barriers. Actually, last time Mrs DJF & I went there on the bikes the bike area was full, so a member of parking staff moved some bollards and stuff and found a gap for us. Nice people turn up all over the place!

[timwilky]

My local town, is not exactly helpful when it comes to advising parking. Only by asking was I able to find out. Nothing on the council web sites. Basically there is parking for about 8 bikes in the town centre. None of the other car parks permit free m/c parking.

Preston is also just as useless at advising parking. there is free parking in one of the council multi stories and the private town centre multi story also provides free bike parking. But not much, and a big danger of being blocked in/ scratched etc. but the design permits you to ride past the barriers. what I dont like is all the oil and spilled fuel on the ramps.

[SvNewbie]

I just dump the bike wherever I want, I just remember to be courteous.

Never had any problems in all my years until last week when I almost got a parking ticket. In fairness I was on a set of double yellows. But I managed to charm my way out of it even though the attendant had printed the ticket...

Unless the person giving you a ticket is a police officer I believe they have no power to stop you riding off. If they don't have the photos of the ticket in place then they can't do anything.

Even in London you will get away with parking on the pavement outside the centre usually.