I was on a ride in NH a few weeks ago with a couple of friends and we stopped at a Dunkin Doughnuts. We were standing out side in the parking lot when a rather large lady rolls up on a Sporster and parks her bike in one of the handicap only parking spots. My friend commented that it was kind of rude of an able body person to be using a handicap spot like that. Then we noticed her bike had a handicap plate! She walked fine and rode a bike!!
So what gives, anyone else ever see such a thing?

 

Well IDK. It seems silly to me.

 

Wow, that's a new one on me. Can't see how you can be handicapped and ride a motorcycle. Pretty liberal definition of the word.

 

Yup, seen it. Hopefully she was not abusing the privilege. Big no-no.

There are MANY med conditions beyond those of observable orthopaedic problems that justify the plate. And there are orthopaedic diseases that aren't observable.

COPD is another area of disease and is a huge issue with many people who are unable to exert themselves very much without serious problems.

 

Friend of mines got severe hip & back issues and can't walk worth a damn but is comfy on his bike for short rides. IMHO he's entitled to his handicapped license plate.

 

Yes, I agree with Big Sled that there are medical conditions not easily observable that can cause some one to need a handicap sticker or plate. I have never seen one on a motorcycle before.

 

I also have a friend who rides and has an HP plate on his bike in NH. To look at him, you'd never know he had a handicap justifying a plate, but he does. He is also retired Army and put in over 20 years of active duty. there was also, many years ago, a man from Connecticut called "Reverend Kaiser" who rode....they had no hp plates for CT at the time, and he was among those trying to get them. Everyone was told "you can't be handicapped and ride a motorcycle!" To demonstrate to the legislator who said that how stupid it was, the good Rev K then yanked off his prosthetic leg and slammed it on the desk and said "is this handicapped enough for you?" Ct now has hp plates for motorcycles. A year ago, as part of my duties as a PGR Ride Captain, I escorted a young man who'd lost both lower legs during combat ops in Iraq. he had some pretty advanced prosthetics that allowed him to run and jump (as well as ride a motorcycle). If he had long pants on, you would have no idea he had any handicap, and in fact doesn't think he does! Plenty of reasons for an hp plate on a bike.........and no, it's not always obvious there even IS a handicap! So please be careful beffore passing judgement

 

I have seen a half dozen or so Harleys with handicapped plates.
Just because someone can walk a little bit doesn't mean they don't qualify for the plates. As others have said, it might be a breathing problem , COPD...or Rheumatoid Arthritis or a number of issues that aren't so obvious. I say live and let live, ride and be thankful you can still ride with or without handicapped plates.

 

Never know why they have the plate. My fatherinlaw had one on his Bike he had diabetes. Don't judge people for having one. It might be a mental thang....Ride Safe and Often........BearC.Paw.......

 

Well you can learn something new every day. I wasn’t passing judgment, just a little mystified was all. Thanks for the eye opener!