I've seen others' park their bikes like this in public places, i.e. grocery stores, bestbuy, restaraunts, etc.  Parking the bike right up on the sidewalk or right next to the building.

Is this legal?   I'd think its kind of a theft deterrent when EVERYONE can see your bike.  Thoughts?

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22206

I see that a lot around here.  I don't know whether it is legal or not.  Even if it was, I'd be really reluctant to do it.  Say some fatty walks out of Sun Fresh and is trying to pimp slap her kid and walks into your bike, it falls on her, busts her leg open, gravey runs out, and then she gets your license plate number before she gets air lifted to St. Lukes and next thing you know, you've got a process server on your stoop.  No thanks.

I do it on campus fairly often and sometimes @ grocery stores and what not. A friend in Louisiana parked his bike right infront of a Barnes and Nobles and a cop wrote him a ticket for causing a fire hazard/ blocking handicap access. So I'd say if your not blocking a wheel chair ramp or a fire/loading zone. go ahead?
-ash

I parked in front of a Target once, and someone spit on the seat.

My biggest concern (as a newbie) with parking at a regular parking spot is that because the bike is so small and when somebody sees my spot not knowing it's parked there try to park and by the time he/she realizes the bike is there yet his reaction to breaking is so slow, rams my bike. Anyone had any bad experiences like that?
I remember once at a packed Walmart parking lot, going around looking for a spot... and found a great spot close to the store and all, sped up and as I turn to park between two cars, there was a motorcycle!! Luckily, I didn't hit the bike but now that I own a bike, I am very nervous parking it at a lot especially between two big cars.
I love my new bike and maybe I'm babying too much? Is this a normal reaction/love toward your very first bike?
Any thoughts?

I work for the devil so I feel compelled to reply.

I park at the very end of the lot. My normal spot, it is empty most of the time because people are fat and lazy, has concrete on two sides. The front side has a rain passage that I ride out of so I don't have to back up.

I do this for several reasons.

1- I need the exersise. I need to lose weight as it is.

2- Less of a chance of getting hit by a car or buggy.

3- The fat and lazy people who want to jack with my bike, but too ignorant to get thier own are to lathargic to walk that far.

4- People who think it is cool to let thier kids sit on my bike park close to the door.

5- It is very visable from the highway so there is no hiding a bike thief between two Monster SUVs

6- Less of the ' I got to find a parking spot 10 feet from the door, and I will drive around the parking lot for 30 minutes' people. Hell, they will run you over just walking.

7- I can puff a smoke walking to the bike.

I have parked on the sidewalk before, but I really don't suggest it. Mainly because of hooligan children who want to play. When I was a kid my Mother would have whipped my ass for just touching someone else's property.

It Thanksgiving tomarrow so I will go tell her thank her for giving me a proper raising.

Quote from: 97gs500eIs this legal?

No.  Bikes must be parked where cars can be parked unless there is motorcycle parking.

But...  Sometimes you can get away with parking other place.  It's like gambling...  If you're going to be pissed when you lose, don't play.

Assuming that it is legal, I'm still more worried about it falling on a pedestrian than getting a ticket.

Sue others = fun

Getting sued = no fun

My $.02.

Quote from: samhkangMy biggest concern (as a newbie) with parking at a regular parking spot is that because the bike is so small and when somebody sees my spot not knowing it's parked there try to park and by the time he/she realizes the bike is there yet his reaction to breaking is so slow, rams my bike.

dont park the bike deep in the space. park it so that the rear of the bike is about even with the rear of the other cars in the aisle and it will be more readily apparent its there.

generally-parking on the sidewalk is not legal. its not often ticketed either but like Rvertigo says, " dont Buddha Loves You if you get caught"...or something like that.

Quote from: RVertigo
But...  Sometimes you can get away with parking other place.  It's like gambling...  If you're going to be pissed when you lose, don't play.

just remember the house only wins 5% of the time...

Mmm...  But in that 5% of the time it wins 99.99995% of the money.   :lol:

Quote from: GeePMmm...  But in that 5% of the time it wins 99.99995% of the money.   :lol:

of course it's a Business