Scooters Parking in Handicapped Spaces [Archive] - Provoscooter.com

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biketrash

08-01-2006, 10:29 AM

XPS1210

08-01-2006, 10:51 AM

I've noticed something going on here in Austin that I want to mention. It's becoming commonplace for me to see scooters parked in the diagonal-striped area next to handicapped parking. If anyone reading this post is doing that, please stop. People who have a ramp coming out of their van need that space to get their chair out and turned around, and they need more room than you might think.

I'm assuming the people who do that are just unaware. I just had to rant!

biketrash
your ranting is falling on deaf ears...

Those places that people park bikes (scooters, motorcycles alike)... are where most all motorcycles park...

As long as they are not parked in a handycap spot, or parked between handycap spots...

Most cagers get pissed when they pull up in a parking lot and find a bike in the first couple spots... I've had my scooter moved, heard stories of peoples bikes being dumped over and left... or being moved to the back of the spot and then a car pulling in tight in so they can't get the bike out...

I will always park my bike in a "dashed" end spot... why... it's safe for the bike in most cases.. believe it or not, it's legal in most places... and you are less likely to piss off cagers and have your bike messed with...

florida derbi rocket

08-01-2006, 11:28 AM

I've noticed some smart Home Depot biker employees, parking between the shopping cart cage and the steel posts in front that protect them....hey the bike can't even fall over this way.:D

HIPPYHUNTER

08-01-2006, 01:31 PM

Crazy Scooter

08-01-2006, 01:37 PM

Also Disabled Placards seem to be given out so easily, ie; stubbed toe, lack of common sense and to EVERY INDIAN, PAKISTANI who thinks they have a right to have one...... So imo they're a total waste of time and anyone who has one that can walk properly should be shot or heavily fined. btw, in the uk we have bicycle racks and I put my scooters in there as they're classed as bicycles, lol.
Just my 2 cents or Pence ;)

urbanensis

08-01-2006, 01:45 PM

XPS1210

08-01-2006, 02:23 PM

JERED, Please dont speak for me. he was making a good point and at the same time trying to preserve respect for the scoots. I looked round this morning when I rolled up to a handi spot and considered it as it was at my office and no-one I know of needs em BUT I did not park the scoot there. They are there for folks that need them. Come on be respectfull...you never know...
Park where its legal. :ll

did you read what I posted... I never said park in a handicap spot...

it's screwed up to do so...

I said stay out of the handicap spots... I said use the end of the rows... which isn't an issue!

Damn you people need to read before you post nasty replies...

and show me ANYWHERE where someone will mess with a bike at the end of a row like that, and I'll show you a seriously anal place...

I do, and will continue to park at the end of rows... it's not only easier to get into a place (or further depending on which end you park) but most cagers appriciate a spot not being wasted by a bike, scooter or other...

sooznd

08-01-2006, 02:24 PM

a couple months ago I saw a guy on a Harley with handicapped plates. Of course he was not wearing a helmet...--o

Randy

08-01-2006, 02:28 PM

Have to agree completely with Biketrash. I have seen the same thing in the San Antonio area and it is not cool. Those diagonal lines are supposed to indicate that nothing should be parked there. I think we should try to help the image of scooterists and make things easier for the disabled. As far as the other comments about disabled placards, wouldn't even dignify that with a response.

astro

08-01-2006, 02:31 PM

I'm sure the laws are different by state, but here scooters can park anywhere that bicycles can, which is to say that scooters can park pretty much anywhere. So I just park on the sidewalks.

Sorrow

08-01-2006, 03:13 PM

I am a closet sidewalk parker too.

Ghettokracker71

08-01-2006, 03:15 PM

I haven't really seen that around here,maybe I am not looking ? I always just park in a normal spot,but maybe I should reconsider? Hmm. Speaking of home depot employees scooting,I have an interview that at 6pm (its 5.14 now).

I hate when people disrespect handicap spots :( . I see people ALL THE TIME pull into one,leave their car running and run into 711 or wherever and run back out,thats still messed up in my opinion

sooznd

08-01-2006, 03:39 PM

I usually park way up front near the doorways of those big box stores and the supermarkets...

I park where the employees of the Home Depot would, in Wally's there is a great spot behind where their gardening section is--hiddden from pedestrian traffic.

those lined areas next to the handicapped spots are actaully meant for maneuvring weel chairs and lifts in and out... so not supposed to park there.

I have a friend who is handicapped and has a van and extra space is needed to move the lift down and out....and then to maneuver his wheelchair out.

He used to ride motorcycles himself but then got MS 17 yrs ago and is almost completley paralyzed...

scootertrash

08-01-2006, 03:50 PM

I park on the sidewalk up near the newspaper racks right next to the front door at the entrance to grocery/big box stores.

Those zones around the handicapped places are tor ramps and walkers, not scooters, okay, maybe Jazzy or Pride scooters, but not Yamahas.

Crazy Scooter

08-01-2006, 05:38 PM

but most cagers appriciate a spot not being wasted by a bike, scooter or other... I agree however in the Uk virtually every car park is regulated by ticket machines and if you don't have a ticket you get fined 100 bucks approx which is fine cosidering the tickets are free for the first 2 hours but how are you supposed to attach a non adhesive ticket to a bike without it blowing away and leave it visible. Thats why I park in the Bicycle area, no tickets reqired. If a store has a motorcycle parking bay then I use that, sometimes lock it to a street lamp, really anyplace its not going to get stolen or knocked over as these machines are not cheap and when you've only got third party ins like me you learn to be more carefull and choosing a safe parking area is my #1 concern.

I disagree that handicapped permits are given out easily. They are given out easily if you have the right connections and that is wrong..... Just come over to where I live for 1 week and you'll see what I mean.

Damn you people need to read before you post nasty replies... I hope that wasn't being directed at me as it was not my intention to be nasty, just to get the point across.

XPS1210

08-01-2006, 08:29 PM

those lined areas next to the handicapped spots are actaully meant for maneuvring weel chairs and lifts in and out... so not supposed to park there...
which is why I said to avoid the handicap spots... and park at the end... which are there to make the end of the rows...

:yippy:

not the handicap spots... ;no

sooznd

08-01-2006, 08:57 PM

which is why I said to avoid the handicap spots... and park at the end... which are there to make the end of the rows...
:yippy:
not the handicap spots... ;no
I don't know about the parking by you, but around here the handicap parking spaces are up front and the lined areas are next to them. There aren't any lined areas anywhere else....so that is where the confusion is... I do not park in those lined areas next to the handicap spots, even if they are at the end of the row...I park on the sidewalk in the front of the store or double up with another cycle. Once in a while , a lot will have designated motorcyle parking spots, but not often

florida derbi rocket

08-01-2006, 09:24 PM

Susan..you just cleared up a lot of confusion...I think there are legal Handicap loading areas that are probably required by law...but Idiots combine the main walking space in convenience stores and put them next to Handicap spots...At the store at the end of my street..parking my scooter anywhere except in that striped zone where you walk up, will get My scooter stolen...I can only see the mirror as I fork over my cash...No my neighborhood isnt that bad..But Crackheads will steal what they want when it suits them..Crime goes in waves here..and summertime is a 24 hour opportunity.I once got a new Mountain bike stolen in less than 2 min while I was paying for take out.

Squid121

08-01-2006, 09:58 PM

I'm sure the laws are different by state, but here scooters can park anywhere that bicycles can, which is to say that scooters can park pretty much anywhere. So I just park on the sidewalks.

Ditto. Everyone around here parks on the sidewalks or by the bike racks, just not in the way of the entrance or exit. We've never been told to move or been ticketed.
Parking in a regular space in a lot here in Gods waiting room will get your scoot crunched by a Caddy, Lincoln, or someone in a hurry in an suv. What can you do... :rolleyes:

twcrew

08-01-2006, 11:50 PM

I sometimes notice that the different areas are painted in different colors. Usually the handicap-access areas are stripped in white, and the parking lane end-caps are in yellow.

I have seen a few bikes (and car-running-waiting-for-someone, and taxi's) slipping into the end-caps. The rent-a-cops at WalMart is usually pretty good at running those folks away... but I haven't watched them with bikes to see if they throw hissy fits when people park in non-spots. I have seen bikes parked up by the front doors, out of foot-traffic. I haven't yet tried it though.

I personally don't see a problem with parking in the end-cap, non-handicap access areas, and wish that it was an agreed upon legal area to park bikes/scoots for short durations to avoid a fast moving car thinking they've found an empty space...

As for the placards being easy to get, maybe where you live, but in most places it takes a lot of fighting and a lot of doctors' documentation to prove that you need it. Just because you can't see someone's disability or condition doesn't mean they don't need/deserve that placard.

Selah

XPS1210

08-02-2006, 07:10 AM

since we are on the topic... another forum I am on had this thread pop up today!

http://www.vespausa.com/

look for the green parking sign on the middle left of their main page!

Parking for All! Sign the Vespatition to convert some automobile spaces to two-wheel spaces!

By signing the Vespatition, you are promoting the conversion of some automobile parking spaces to two-wheel spaces. The results will be publicized and sent to your local mayor.

Just as parking spaces for compact cars and handicapped parking stalls have increased efficiency and convenience in urban and suburban communities, officially designated two-wheel parking facilities can do the same.

Government agencies should consider removing the two-wheeler from the four-wheeler parking space and placing it in its own, scaled down zone. This is a simple concept that can be embraced by city councils, urban planners, local merchants, contractors, shopping center management and private businesses whenever parking for motor vehicles is provided.

Here are some suggestions for motorcycle/scooter parking that we are proposing:

Street-legal parking - convert a number of existing parking spaces every couple of streets to motorcycle/scooter parking

* Spaces can be metered or un-metered
* The smaller size of two-wheel vehicles allows them to fit into unoccupied areas on streets and sidewalks, creating efficiencies in urban planning and increasing city revenues (if metered).
* Six motorcycles, scooters or limited-access motorcycles carrying from six to twelve people can be parked in the area normally taken up by one automobile. If, however, no motorcycle parking facility is provided in the area, one would possibly find those six motorcycles occupying up to six separate automobile spaces.

Convert unused space - cement curbs of a certain size can be converted to two-wheel parking. A specialized parking area for motorcycles and scooters not only leaves more space for the automobiles, but also caters to the riders' needs by providing a well-lit, convenient and secure location in which they may confidently leave their vehicle. Such facilities can be small in area and can usually be located near a building entrance or at the end of a parking island.

Parking garages - designate parking spaces in municipal garages for two-wheel vehicles. Create a more equitable rate structure for two-wheel vehicle parking in private garages.

Sidewalk parking - permit scooters and motorcycles to be parked in designated areas on sidewalks and locked to structures which currently accommodate bicycles.

Randy

08-02-2006, 12:26 PM

I signed the Vespatition a couple of weeks ago-think it's a great idea. I work on a military base and there is very little scooter and mc parking. Very little in the small town I live in as well. As a matter of fact, there is very little bicycle parking to be found. It may help to get people out of their cars more often if there was a place to park a two wheeled vehicle.

florida derbi rocket

08-03-2006, 06:34 AM

One more thing I might add is the new trend in Building "Zero lot line" you know... less pedestrian space...building right up to the street,or near the lot line.New "Mc Mansions" are this way,and soon there will be no sidewalks let alone parking space of any kind.The new norm is Mega parking lots...and YOU will walk.

Lennox

11-27-2006, 02:13 PM

sooznd

11-27-2006, 03:07 PM

Lennox-- thanks for clearing that up :sunny:
the key word being in front of the handicapped spaces--yeah that's a great spot, if you have them. Most of our handicap spots have lines on the side for acess to the vehicle

In our small downtown area, there are actually some spots dedicated to motorcycles. I like parking right up front in the "porch " areas of the big box stores and the grocery stores--also our Home Depot & Walmart have these little hidden away spots by their garden centers.

~cheap_ride~

11-27-2006, 03:55 PM

i park in those spaces at the grocery store, the thing is that they are back to back, so i park in the middle next to the light poll. leaves plenty of space for ramps and chairs to be loaded and unloaded. it may not be legal, but its my opinion that more places should offer motorcycle parking. you park in a car spot and people get mad, park in the handicap stripped zone and they get mad, sidewalk and they get mad.......... just like the non smokers, scooterists are people too.

and as far as giving them handicap signs out easily.......hell yeah. ive seen tons of people have them that dont need it. even seniors that are perfectly capable of walking 50 yards w/o problem. the question is whos cheating who here???

ok, done ranting......

Blackbeard

11-27-2006, 10:59 PM

I'm one of those Handicappers, and I can tell you, in Texas where I live, they sure don't hand them out easily. I had to produce documents that said I was 100% Disabled by the VA, and had to have a form letter filled out and signed by my VA Doc, before they would issue me one. I park in the striped ends as well, at the ends of the general parking areas toward the front of the stores. Never in the handicap areas (I use my Handicap pass in my 4-wheelers, since I park my scoot in the striped areas.). That way, I can lock my fork, then cable it to a pole or post. If they're gonna steal it... I'm gonna make 'em work for it! o_o

Cheers!

BB

waterinthefuel

11-29-2006, 06:23 AM

Thats spooky. I was fixing to ask this exact same question. When I go to Wallyworld I park in front of the door, using a bike lock and cable to lock it to one of the poles marking the parking lanes in the lot. I'm right next to a handicapped spot. I thought the white hash markings didn't really mean much, other than don't park a car here. I saw a motorcycle parked up on the sidewalk of the building, a few feet from the door. At least I'm not doing that!!

Other than parking in a handicapped spot, I didn't think parking laws could be enforced on private property by anybody other than the property owner.

Am I way off there?

Lennox

11-29-2006, 08:24 AM

I'm one of those Handicappers, I had to produce documents that said I was 100% Disabled by the VA
BB

no dis-respect, but if you are %100 disabled, then how do you "safely" ride a scooter? :confused:

sooznd

11-29-2006, 08:28 AM

Other than parking in a handicapped spot, I didn't think parking laws could be enforced on private property by anybody other than the property owner. Am I way off there? Water-- that's what I am counting on, too. I have been parking my scooter way up front near the garden fertlizer/seasonal items for 3 years now, I have seen other scooters and mopeds do this, too. I have never had a store manager complain--I do my best not to block any walk ways for customers & keep the scoot out of the way and as inobtrusive as possible.

I have even seen large motorcycle parked up front at the grocery stores...I suppose if there were ten or twelve 2 wheeled vehicles there it would become a problem, but so far it has only been 2 or 3 including my own.

Blackbeard

11-29-2006, 08:31 AM

Other than parking in a handicapped spot, I didn't think parking laws could be enforced on private property by anybody other than the property owner.

Am I way off there?

Hiya Waterinthefuel: No, you're not way off. This would work for most private businesses. But when dealing with retail stores, it's a whole different ballgame. Wallyworld is a prime example of why the "Property Owner" method doesn't work. My wife and I shop Wallyworld quite often. There are some stores in our local area, that apparently enforce the parking rules, while some others definitely don't. I've seen as many as five cars parked almost bumper-2-bumper right in front of the poles at the entrance, forcing you and your shopping cart or wheelchair, to go around the parked cars. :mad: You can't even drive through there, because there's only enough room for one car to get by. A total mess. The only ones I've ever seen actually enforce their parking, is local police. Now, whether they're on the city's clock or working part-time for Wallyworld, I have no idea. But it always seems to be more organized parking, when a few tickets are being issued or a police car is present. It's just not right, when you see someone in a wheelchair, or a mother pushing a stroller and shopping cart, and they can't even get to the parking lot... ;no then there's something wrong with the stores parking system.

Cheers!

BB

GUNSGONZ

11-29-2006, 09:19 AM

Wow! such good information. Until this posting I never realized you could use the handicap striped loading area for parking scooters, cool! All kidding aside I agree with Susan that parking as close to the front doors as possible usually near the bike rack at Wal-Mart works great. At the local Gas-Mart I try and get a car spot near the door but like any motorcycle you have to make sure your scooter is centered in the car parking spot or a car will squeeze in next to you. You would be surprised how belligerent people can get toward motorcycles and scooters. Curse you for taking up a whole parking spot, curse you for cutting traffic and leaving them behind, curse you for scaring them while driving by, and curse you for being in front of them when in a hurry in their car. Yup as scooterist we are a minority and to many a fringe group of society unwilling to conform to the status quo of prime time TV. But that is what is so cool about us is that we are thinkers and blaze our own trail through life and the most likely to survive a catastrophe.
:smokin:

Heat00

11-29-2006, 02:28 PM

thescooterscot

11-30-2006, 07:55 AM

i am one of those blue placarded individuals and i ride a scooter because i don't have to lift my leg over the big bike i used to have ...and as far as i know we can't get handicapped plates for a scooter and with no place to hang the placard i usually park in the striped zone at the very front of a handicapped spot and diagonally so as to not block an incoming van etc. ...my biggest beef comes with the cute little honeys in the tennis skirts and driving a benz who whip into the handicapped spots and skip into the shops like it's a game ........won't say i never keyed one of those mercedes in that space o-- o-- o-- o--

waterinthefuel

12-25-2006, 10:13 PM

I'm posting another reply because on this topic, I called our local police and spoke with the traffic sergeant. He basically stated that parking on sidewalks was legal as long as you didn't impede the flow of foot traffic. Parking in the hashed areas of private parking lots is legal as long as you don't impede the ingress and egress of a handicapped spot. However, the private property's owner may object on his own accord.

He also thought a scooter was a great way to get around town, and agreed that with a scooter one of its advantages is where you can park!

OldGuy

01-21-2007, 10:26 AM

funny thing, I was at my local Jai Alai yesterday, and parked in the hashed lines in front of the handicapped spots.......

I think some of you mis-understood exactly where people were talking about......

Sorry for the POOR picture quality.... Nextel phone zoomed in 3x.

Know what you mean. I parked this way once and was told by a police officer to move it or get a ticket. Who but 2 wheelers can use that space?

Course what really irritates me is to see someone with a tag pull into a handicapped space and jump out and run into the store! I thought the idea behind these spaces were to aid the mobility handicapped.

OldGuy

GUNSGONZ

01-21-2007, 01:05 PM

I have to say that I have never really had an issue with handicap parking at markets except when I visit my handicap mother and drive her there and we are looking for one. From the prospective of the person that is handicap, there seems to never be enough and everyone should steer clear out of respect least you see yourself arguing with a Iraq veteran with one arm. With respect to the scooters I never had it so great and now I realize the additional incentive to take my scooter to the market instead of my motorcycle. Motorcycles are to conspicuous to chain up to the bicycle rack and motorcycles fall into 3 basic bad boy character reputations of either hell club member, speed hooligan, or dirt devil, depending on what type your riding, I have all three. But anyway the little scooter with it marketed reputation as an honored member of the tree hugging society and save the glaciers family make it a welcome member at the bike rack and side walk news stand for cable lockup, at least the 4-stroke non-smoking models anyway.