Parking at a Store!

[jerth6932]

I dont know if this has been posted or not, if so direct me to the post. Where do you park when you go to Walmart or similar store? Do you park in a designated normal parking stall or do you park at the front of the store? I am kinda new and have always parked in a normal stall!
Where do you park?

[Clint]

I park in that giant, useless corner of the sidewalk where the leaves collect. At the grocery store I park in the striped triangle unless it interferes with a handicap stall.

[jerth6932]

No one gives you a hard time about paring there? I am worried that someone is going to do something stupid like call the cops in to ticket or somthing!

[Navy_p503]

I've seen that too and have been wondering. I looked but didn't find anything on the traffic laws.

[tricker]

i generally do what clint does.. But at best buy i just pick a normal spot.... i could park by the geek squad but it isn't worth the trouble of one of them coming out and saying my cycle needs a new motherboard and hard drive

[amvince]

Parking Space. I just try to make my bike as visable as possible.

[KD57]

I refuse to shop at Wall Mart, but at other similar stores I do what Clint sd.
At retail strip centers I usually park in that wide pedestrian area that cars aren't allowed in, or up on the sidewalk, since most of the parking spaces are full. It's pretty common for bikes to park in those area's.

[Rockhead]

Same as Rowdy

Also Home Depot sometimes has space in the front of the store where equipment rentals are.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

At the grocery store I park in the striped triangle unless it interferes with a handicap stall.

I guess I'm overly sensitive to the "bad biker" syndrome.

Parking on the "sidewalk" is kind of a regional thing. Here, it is not done; some places it is.

I usually go for a regular space, but those stripped spaces at the end of the isle are good.........unless they are beside a H space. Even if they are NOT a part of the H space, a lot of people seem to get bent out of shape because they don't think about what is actually going on. Over the years, I've had a lot of "looks" and more than one nasty comment...........so I don't do that anymore.

[Clint]

I'd hardly call what I describe as a "sidewalk". I'm very sensitive to people blocking walkways and other traffic patterns. That's just rude. The spaces I described are little more than gaps in the architecture where grass wouldn't grow.

[dcstrng]

Usually take a full car stall -- park a little cockeyed so folks don’t crowd and near the front so anyone trying to park sees the scoot before they try to pull in… used to try to slide into all those cutesy little slots, but figure, hey, I don’t need to crowd… Unless in a weird area, leave the helmet on the bike and jacket across the seat… haven’t locked it in about two years… no one has messed with it so far…

[Clint]

Sorry... could you please step a little closer to the microphone? We can't quite hear you in the back.

[CaptCrashIdaho]

Round here we park up on the veranda. People seem to dislike finding bikes using up a 'normal' stall. Just park out of the flow of traffic on away from the fire escapes and you're usually OK. It is private property so you probably won't get ticketed unless the owner requests action.

If you have a store you frequent you could even ask the management how they feel. Often I find that there's cart cowboys or sales assistants wandering around and I just ask. Nobody up here seems to care.

[B-Rex]

This is a great topic! Well at least for me.

I hate having my bike messed with by a passerby or loitering kids. I also hope that most thieves and vandals(not all, as I have seen) will be somewhat deterred by having to mess with bike near the front of the store. Plus, most store parking lot cameras are directed near this area.

Therefore:
1) I try and park near the front in plain view of people exiting and entering the store.
2) Many stores use large round, concrete bases for their lightpoles and some signs. Finding where these make a barrier/triangle is a nice place to scoot your bike into since a car can't really park there anyway, you don't tend to tick people off. Plus it makes it difficult for the blind lady to run over your machine.
3) I agree that you shouldn't impede pedestrians or crowd the handicap lanes. However, some stores have so much yellow striped paint near and around these areas that you often can find a snug place to get into.

I've noticed that when I park in an area like the above, I usually come out and find one or two more bikes parked nearby. I guess there is safety in numbers.

Places not to park:
1) Near the cart collection areas...there's nothing like finding a shopping cart wedged up against your handlebars.
2) Between two large vehicles in a regular space. You're hard to see and I've seen people nearly flatten a bike because they didn't see it as they pulled in.
3) Any location hidden from view...that's asking for trouble.
4) Under a lot of foliage...sap is a PIA to clean off of your scoot.
5) Near grass strips. This is because dog pee is not good for your rims. People walking dogs and strays tend to traverse the grass. Lawnmowers throw grass and dog poo onto your machine.
6) On hot asphalt without a puck. This was a serious problem when I lived in Florida. I'm not sure it will be as bad up here in the midwest. This will be my first summer here so I will soon find out. If you don't have a puck, a smashed soda/beer can is usable in a pinch. Don't forget to throw it away before you leave.
7) Under overhead wires. Birds like wires and will unload on your bike. Also, gulls and crows, for some reason, like to drop their load on shiny, reflective surfaces. Things like chrome, windshields, etc.!

B-Rex

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

I do as clint does.
I park in some out of the way but visible spot by the building. I make sure to NOT block any walkways or other areas used by employees/customers.

Or, I will park in those huge striped areas found in most store parking lots.

I've never been given grief for doing either.

[Rockhead]

Well I took the time to take a picture so why not post it. Here's an example of a place I would park. (the spot on the left side)

[Clint]

See, that's an example of the handicap spot I mentioned. They're intended for people using ramps to have enough room, just like the striped space on the other side. I wouldn't park there.

[MikeHump]

Originally Posted by B-Rex

6) On hot asphalt without a puck. This was a serious problem when I lived in Florida. I'm not sure it will be as bad up here in the midwest. This will be my first summer here so I will soon find out. If you don't have a puck, a smashed soda/beer can is usable in a pinch. Don't forget to throw it away before you leave.

I have a question regarding this. Does it depend on the area, or will ALL asphalt do this?

I bought my bike in the winter time, so I haven't experienced heat yet. It usually gets to about 110-115 degrees in the summer here (I'm not sure if I'll even be riding on these kinds of days, but just in case...) so I'm not sure if I should carry around a puck when it starts to get hot. My bike is pretty light, but 400 pounds still seems like it would be enough to cause the side stand to sink into the asphalt.

Also, is a puck generic thing that can be bought anywhere, or is it a special item that can only be purchased at a bike shop or similar store?

[Rockhead]

That kind of heat yes use a kickstand plate. Im using 1/8 inch steel plate about the size of a 3x3 post-it-note. Make your own mine was left over scrap laying around our store room.

[jerth6932]

Good insight all, thanks for helping me formulate a plan!!!!