Parking rules for motorbikes?

Can someone please inform me the exact legislation concerning bike parking?

Other day I went to meet my ma in a town on the bike. Parked it in a little council car park but there were no bays free. I couldn't be bothered going round in circles trying to find awkward spots so I parked in the car park but on paving under a tree. My mother was insistent I buy a ticket even though I said I wasn't technically in a bay, what was I paying for (she bought the ticket though so smiled and nodded along, putting it in my pocket). I do normally buy a ticket regardless and put it in my pocket...but usually only if I'm taking up a bay.

So was I doing a bad thing? When I came back to the car park another bike had parked but down the side of one of bays, on paving too like me. I could see no ticket displayed like me, I have yet to see a ticket displayed on a bike in fairness but what do we do? I'm fed up of going to towns, parking up, going about my business and constantly worrying about what I'm going to find when I get back....


I know this is an ongoing problem but I still don't know exactly what I should be doing in the circumstances!

Just make sure its parked on private land as the tickets are unenforceable, i have tested this myself, several debt collection threats and they give up

Parking on council owned land dodgily is asking for trouble though, tested that out too lol!

Is it if they don't provide spots or say no bikes then you don't need to pay ?

Originally Posted by barwel1992

Is it if they don't provide spots or say no bikes then you don't need to pay ?

Always first read the small print of the council signs, if in doubt dont park on council property, dont assume its free, some aren't.

Ahh ok cheers

luckily some towns seem to be quite bike friendly, colchester is with use of bus lanes and a fair bit of free bike spaces around town, just not enough spaces unfortuately, therye often all taken when i go into town.

I noticed an R1 parked just outside the free bike parking, and had parking ticket wrapped round the right hand grip!!

Originally Posted by barwel1992

Is it if they don't provide spots or say no bikes then you don't need to pay ?

Well I had checked the sign and there was no mention of motorbikes at all, just that trailers and caravans were prohibited. Why do we get ignored dammit! I only want to be honest and be able to go about my business without worrying about my bike!

[DarrenSV650S]

Just stick it on the pavement somewhere quiet out of the way. Dr pepper

Originally Posted by barwel1992

Is it if they don't provide spots or say no bikes then you don't need to pay ?

My understanding is that motorbikes have to pay unless the sign says otherwise. In number of car parks you can use the motorbike bay FOC, but you need to pay if the bay is full and you use a 'car' space. Using paving or anywhere that is not a marked space can lead to trouble.

Basically - read the signs and if there is nothing about bikes then you are supposed to pay as a car.

There is an interesting potential loophole, in that a lot of tickets say display on windscreen... what if you don't have one?

The following might be of some use as well... http://www.mag-foundation.org/secure%20parking.html