Seems like I recall reading a similar thread a LONG time ago where someone posted that they did not park in a "parking place" and something happened to their bike and consequently, their insurance company did not cover the damage.

 

If there is no designated motorcycle spots I park in a regular spot. I try to find on an end so I have a curb on one side and I park in the middle of the spot.
We have designated cycle spots at work. These two cars would park there because the spots are close to the door. Had a conversation with them that resulted in being told they do not think we should have special spots so first come first serve.
As much as I wanted to do something drastic, I got with a few other riders and we just borrowed a couple of orange cones from our Security Department and just set them there. Problem over.

 

Since the topic came up, I have a follow-on related question.

I'm of the mind that parking lots are for parking whatever mode of travel. I will normally use a regular parking spot and don't give it another thought.

My question- When parking in an extremely close to capacity lot, what are your thoughts on parking in the same spot another motorcycle is parked in? Assuming you don't know the other rider. Douche-bag move? Also, say you come back to your bike and find that someone has decided to share your spot while you were away?

Neither situation has ever happened with me- Just curious if anyone has constructive thoughts on this.

 

I always use regular parking spots as well. If i came back to find another bike in my space along with mine I would have no issue, as long as they didn't block me in

 

This is what I do.


And I guess I should be more specific on the sidewalk, not sure if I was clear enough. Say at walmart for instance, inbetween the two entrances there's an open area between it, not really a sidewalk persay but an open concreted area off of the parking lot.


I guess my concern on parking in a stall is someone in a hurry pulling in and not seeing the bike and hitting it.

 

Hard to find designated motorcycle spots around here. I park in a regular spot. I try to find one on the end so I have a curb on one side, and I park in the middle of the spot. I try not to pull to far in to.

 

Back when I lived in Cali, I got tickets for both on the sidewalk and the yellow triangle hash lines at the end of the run. They tried giving me one for parking in an alcove of a closed title company once but I won that one in court. The judge had just used that title company recently when he bought his house and knew the alcove was private property.

 

I will park on a sidewalk if it is not particularly being used.
Many businesses have sidewalks adjacent to their business that are hardly used.
They usually do not care if a nice looking Harley parks on their sidewalk.
I would never impede a wheelchair either.
Parking in the yellows? I will but again as long as it does not impede any one.
My local walmart or cabellas for example.

 

I don't even pull in to crowded parking lots; one of the things I look for for food stops is empty space away from the cars but in sight of a window to sit by. I don't worry about people pulling in and hitting my bike as much as backing out and hitting it; I want at least one empty parking row between my bike and parked cars. The longer walk helps work the kinks out, too. I never park in other than designated parking spots, even cops don't always seem to understand what's legal for parking, so I don't give them a chance to be wrong. Or for me to be wrong...

 

The only time that I have shared a parking spot with somebody was if I was traveling with that person. If the parking lot is that full, I tend to look for a spot close by that isn't as full, park my bike there and then walk to where I need to go. When I park, I like my space so I try to respect somebody else's space too but that's just me.