Parking

[steveo]

Hi,

Is it free to park motorbikes like it is to park scooters? Does it depend on cc or is it any two wheeler?

Thanks
Steve

[Bendy]

If it's free to park a scooter, it's free to park a bike.

[Ste]

It is not "free to park scooters". It is free to park scooters or bikes (in the bike park) of a car park which says it is free for bikes, but some expect you to pay. If it's a pay and display you're best off keeping the ticket with you IMO as it would just get nicked, and if it's one where you need the ticket to open the barrier then you will need to pay. However motorcycles fit around those barriers very easily, and you can also just follow a car out under the barrier, all this information is purely my guess at the situation obviously.

Oh yeah, bikes are not allowed in the Oracle car park in Reading as they say they have problems with drunk people returning to their cars and pushing things over, if you're going to make a bad excuse up at least make it vaguelly believable. They said it was not a concern of theirs that drunk people returning to their cars.

[steveo]

Oh right,

I just read it in Vespa's brochure and wondered whether it was universal. It just said 'Free Parking within UK'. Should have realised it wouldnt be that simple!

[Bikay]

Where you can park and whether you have to pay varies across the country.
In London in the Borough of Southwark I have asked traffic wardens if they'll ticket a bike not in a bay. They are okay about this as long as it is not blocking any routes i.e. the bike is up against a wall or such.
In Westminster I have heard that bikes were getting ticketed in the summer for being just outside the bike bays. They were only there because there isn't enough parking!
In Cheltenham I got a ticket for parking alongside bicycles in a bicycle park though I was blocking anyone. When I asked the council about where I could park they said:
-Motorcycle bays
-In any car park-if I use a bay up I need a ticket
-if I can park elsewhere e.g. next to the ticket
machines I don't need one
In Birmingham the traffic warden I spoke to was annoyed that I hadn't displayed a ticket on my bike. I then pointed out that I had it on me as otherwise anyone could just take it. He suggested I just stick it on the pavement up against a building.
That doesn't help you does it???!!!!
In conclusion be careful and, if you can, ask a traffic warden and note their number on their shoulders.
I also carry a cover which has holes through in the front and back. Once over the bike I can pass a chain and lock through the hole. It's impossible to read the tax disc or number plate with this in place so I'm hoping that would put most wardens off.
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