Park right on the sidewalk?

[finch20th]

not going to happen i have yet to see a bike with a ticket for parking on the sidewalk they usually don't care if you are respectful to the area that you are parking!!!

[finch20th]

Originally Posted by JES883

The person who convinced me that riding is a good thing is also the person who began to "accuse" me of being a motorcyclist. As opposed to a biker. I think he had a problem with me loving to ride but not fitting a mold that he felt I should fit.

I'm glad he talked me into getting a bike, and I'm glad that a HD was my first bike. But I'm beginning to come back around to the real reason I wanted a motorcycle. A bit more "seat of the pants" type action on occasion.

Oh. And to make everyone clear on the sidewalk issue: any intelligent, self-respecting business owner knows that if people with bikes park on the sidewalk in front of their establishment it's a sign that it's the place to be.

all i have to say is LIVE TO RIDE!!!

[inspiron]

I've experienced it ... came back to my bike to find a parking ticket stuck between the seat and the tank. In Switzerland, you have to park your bike at least 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) clear of a crosswalk. I had parked my bike about 3 feet from the crosswalk ... the metermaid actually had taken a tape measure and marked the distances, then ticketed about 4 bikes that were parked there. It cost me CHF 40! (About $40 Canadian). Traffic fines are EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE in Switzerland ...

[FIVEINCH]

Originally Posted by SDSUsnowboards

So what about the legality of parking bikes on the sidewalk?
I thought it was illegal. I'd hate to come back and see a pink slip of paper taped to my windscreen.

Not sure if you were replying to my post, or not. I was attempting to support your argument.

Now then, about the legality of parking on the sidewalk?
The first, and foremost, thing to consider is: public, or private property? If its a shopping center, odds are its private property. If it is private, has the proprietor set an agreement with the county/city/town to have local codes and ordinances enforced? If you park the bike on a public (paid for and maintained by the county/city/town) and walk away from it, odds are it will be cited and towed.

You can pick up a copy of the CVC at any DMV (for a small fee). It actually makes for pretty good reading.

[SDSUsnowboards]

Alright cool; sounds complicated to me so it will be worth looking into. My original post wasn't in response to anyone's (I think). Just a floater question.

[bandit12]

Went to the local mall one day an forgot to take a metal plate
to put under the kickstand, started looking for anything sturdy
laying around and mall security stopped and ask me if I was OK
because I looked lost to him. When I told him I didn't want my
bike sinking into the blacktop, he said " Park her at the bicycle
rack, thats what all the Hogs do, it'll be alright." Real nice guy!

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by FIVEINCH

And I, in turn, challenge you to cite the California Vehicle Code (CVC) stating it is not legal.


We've all had that discussion before. Its unwritten and falls under 'safe operation of a motor/motorized vehicle'.

California vehicle code states.

21663. Except as expressly permitted pursuant to this code, including Sections 21100. 4 and 21114.5, no person shall operate or move a motor vehicle upon a sidewalk except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.


22500. No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:

(f) On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk, except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance, as specified in Section 21114.5. Lights, mirrors, or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this code may extend from the body of the vehicle over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.

[viper94bite]

Here in NE I park in front of buildings all the time usually on parts of the walk that are away from the main traffic. I also park in the lined areas of handicapp spots. I've only had one lady yell at me for parking there. She thought I needed a handicapp sticker to park there. Actually asked me if I had one- like I am going to ride a motorcycle if I was handicapped, be kind of difficult I think. Anyways when I took the MSF course they actually encouraged parking on sidewalk areas and the lined areas of handicapp stalls.
Very few places here have motorcycle parking.

[FIVEINCH]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

California vehicle code states.

21663. Except as expressly permitted pursuant to this code, including Sections 21100. 4 and 21114.5, no person shall operate or move a motor vehicle upon a sidewalk except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.


22500. No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:

(f) On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk, except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance, as specified in Section 21114.5. Lights, mirrors, or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this code may extend from the body of the vehicle over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.

Good research! Bad retort. The qoute you used was in response to the lane-sharing issue and I was doing my best to maintain composure while keeping the thread on track.

Sa-a-a-a-y.... are you a journalist? Because that was pretty good 'spin'.

[YellowJacket]

Originally Posted by viper94bite

.... She thought I needed a handicapp sticker to park there. Actually asked me if I had one- like I am going to ride a motorcycle if I was handicapped, be kind of difficult I think....

Both of my motorcycles here in Alabama have handicap license plates. Many people are mobility handicapped and still walk short distances.

[viper94bite]

Interesting. I guess when I think of someone as being handicapped I think of someone with major disabilities or that can in general not move about without the aid of someone or something.
Though I have seen images of people riding motorcycles with a cast on their leg.

[jsvickers]

also park in the lined areas of handicapp spots.

I guess when I think of someone as being handicapped I think of someone with major disabilities or that can in general not move about without the aid of someone or something.

You do realize that someone who needs to use a wheelchair lift on the side of their van will need to have the lined area of the handicapped spot clear of obstacles (such as motorcycles)...

[LayinLo]

Some people are mentally handicapped

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by LayinLo_usmc

Some people are mentally handicapped

You talkin crap about your brother again? J/K

[Pinhy]

Originally Posted by LayinLo_usmc

Some people are mentally handicapped

dont you have to be somewhat so to ride a motorcycle? haha

[Trapper]

But if you were would you know it? hmmmmmmmm

[Pinhy]

hmmm indeed. deep thoughts with trapper case

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by FIVEINCH

Good research! Bad retort. The qoute you used was in response to the lane-sharing issue and I was doing my best to maintain composure while keeping the thread on track.

Sa-a-a-a-y.... are you a journalist? Because that was pretty good 'spin'.

Ok, guess I lost track of the subject. Here to make up for it from the California DMV.

Sharing lanes

Sharing lanes is not illegal in California. However, in many driving situations, it can be unsafe to share a lane with another vehicle. In the interest of motorcycle safety, vehicle drivers should not share lanes with motorcycles and motorcyclists should not share lanes with vehicles.

As a motorcycle rider, there are two things you can do to prevent lane sharing.

1. Don't ride between rows of slow moving vehicles because it isn't safe. Don't try to squeeze past a stopped car in the same lane. Anything can happen. A hand could come out a window, a door could open, a car could turn suddenly.

2. Discourage lane sharing by moving toward the center of the lane in situations where other drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Such situations include:

• Heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic.

• When you prepare to turn at an intersection, enter an exit lane, or leave the highway.

• When another driver wants to pass.

If you move to the far side of the lane in these situations, you invite the driver to share the lane with you.

Ok at least in California, illegal to park on sidewalk, legal to share lanes but...................

The actual sharing of the lane is not illegal but doing so in an unsafe manner may get you cited for another offense.

Also this opens the door for cages moving into your lane so please be carefull. ( actually this is one law that should be passed or at least clarified, it's one thing for two bikes to be sharing a lane quite another for the soccer mom with the screaming kids to think she has enough room next to the bike in front ).

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Also this opens the door for cages moving into your lane so please be carefull. ( actually this is one law that should be passed or at least clarified, it's one thing for two bikes to be sharing a lane quite another for the soccer mom with the screaming kids to think she has enough room next to the bike in front ).

It happens too. Makes it a challenge to commute in. I try leaving myself an escape route at traffic lights by being off to one side. Just in case I need to get away, I don't want to be the meat in a cage sandwich (again). Occasionally a cage will squeeze in along side like I'm not even there.

[viper94bite]

Originally Posted by jsvickers

You do realize that someone who needs to use a wheelchair lift on the side of their van will need to have the lined area of the handicapped spot clear of obstacles (such as motorcycles)...

I park in the middle of the 2 opposing sides where only the front or rear quarter panels are depending on which way they pull in. Even when front doors are opened bike should not be in the way. I would include a picture to illustrate but I don't know how to put it in from paint.