No motorcycle parking in certain parking lots?

TekNinja81

TekNinja81

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I've noticed some places post "No Motorcycles" at their parking lots' front gates. Not really clear on why this would be, other than perhaps the ability for a bike to sneak in/out without paying.

Notably, the Toronto Zoo (which the GF and I are heading to today) has such a sign. We called to verify though, and they said the bike's not a problem and to come on in. Free parking there this time of year anyway. But why bother putting up a sign like that if it's not going to be enforced anyway?

A few other places I've been to seem to do the same -- post no bikes allowed, but still allow them. The former Blockbuster/shared lot on Don Mills north of Sheppard comes to mind.

Just seems an oddity to me; I can understand they're probably trying to avoid people parking for free and skipping out, but there's no other legitimate reason I can think of. Anyone have any insight? (And on that note: is it even legal for them to "discriminate" against motorcyclists and prevent us from parking?)
 
I always thought the no motorcycle sign at gates were there because the bikes aren't heavy enough to activate them and you'd be stuck. I was at one a few months back, but there was a guy operating the booth. He said it was no problem that I parked there even though the sign was up. So maybe it's alright if someone is raising or lowering the gates for you? Not sure.. I would like to know for certain though
 
Its to do with the automated arms from what I have seen at the lots I have seen
 
I checked at the automated lot at my doctor's. They said it was fine, despite the no bike sign. When I tried it I found the Ducati did not weigh enough to trip the sensor to dispense the ticket to open the gate. A Harley pulled up 5 minutes later though with no problem. So, the gate starts working somewhere between 600 and 900-1000 lbs. Unfortunately, each one is probably different.
 
Hmm, hadn't considered that possibility. Makes a lot of sense actually. I mean, if they were to drop the weight requirement enough for say a 250R to trip it, a couple of people walking through could also trip the sensor... so it's a little tricky. Just like the sensors at many intersections that just never, ever want to trigger for even a group of bikes...

The liability factor of a gate closing on the rider for example, is another good point -- I've nearly had the bay door to an underground parking lot take me out before. That said, I've seen this happen even with cars.
 
Virginia law, particularly item 2 is interesting. i don't know if any of a similar situation exists here.


INDEX
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Title
1; Beware. Your GPS may be spying on you
2; Do not be Denied Access in Virginia
3; Do Not Make a Statement at the Scene of an Accident
4; Protect You and Your Passenger
5; What is Your Bike Worth - Probably Less Than You Think
6; You are not violating Virginia law if you ride with a Non-DOT Helmet
7; The Fight for the Rights of Motorcyclists is about more than Helmets
8; Patches, Colors and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
9; Why Motorcyclists Everywhere Should Be Watching Myrtle Beach
10; Virginia Law Does Not Prohibit Mounting Your Motorcycle License Plate Vertically
11; What to do (and not do) if in an Accident
12; Myrtle Beach Part 2
13; Motorcycle Only Checkpoints and the Fourth Amendment



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1; Beware. Your GPS may be spying on you


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2; Do not be Denied Access in Virginia


Residents and visitors to the Commonwealth of Virginia - have you ever attempted to park in a public parking lot or parking garage and been faced with a sign reading in whole or in part that motorcycles are not allowed? Have you ever attempted to use any roadway to enter any public property only to find out that motorcycles may not enter the property? If you have then the locality which is restricting you access merely because you are on a motorcycle is breaking the law.

Section 33.1-13.1 of the Code of Virginia, prohibits the imposition of any requirement of which the principal purpose is to restrict or inhibit the access of motorcycles and motorcyclists to any highway, bridge, tunnel, or other transportation facility. This provision applies to any roads or transportation facility undertaken or operated by counties, cities, towns and other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth where public funds have been used in whole or in part to plan, design, construct, equip, operate, or maintain the facility. For the purposes of state law a parking garage or parking lot is a transportation facility.

This issue has arisen several times over the last year. This past summer my wife and I were visiting Williamsburg with our two children. We were in our SUV (I apologize for that) waiting to park in the Prince George Street parking garage. Ahead of us was a motorcyclist attempting to enter the garage. It seemed to be taking longer than it should have so I rolled down my window to see why. At that point I heard the attendant say that motorcycles were not allowed in the garage. I could see my wife wince (she knew what was coming) as I exited the car. I found from the attendant that the garage is owned and operated by the City of Williamsburg. The very next Monday a letter went out to the city informing them of the law in Virginia. Within 30 days, that garage was opened to motorcycles. The issue also arose in Big Stone Gap Virginia. The town operates a cemetery. The town did not allow motorcycles to enter the roadways of the cemetery. A letter went out and that matter has been remedied as well.

Additionally, if a garage attendant tells you that it is a private garage do not give up. That happened in Richmond Virginia. It turned out the garage was privately owned and therefore not subject to the statute. However, a Freedom of Information Act letter went out and it was discovered that the garage was originally constructed in the early 80’s with public money. Motorcycles can now park there as well.

The bottom line is that if the state, or any city county or town uses public money to build, maintain or operate any roadway or transportation facility, they cannot keep motorcycles from using them. We as motorcyclists pay taxes which fund these projects. We should not be told that we can't use them.

I would encourage any motorcyclist who sees any situation similar to the ones described in this article to let the owners know that they are breaking the law. If that does not correct the situation, feel free to give my office a call. We don't charge a dime to enforce this statute. We as motorcyclists have the same stake in protecting equal access to public property as you do, and we will be more than happy to help.
If you have any further questions or comments concerning this article or any other matters concerning your rights as a motorcyclist, please contact us at 1-800-321-8968 or at matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com.

The preceding is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The laws governing the above may be different in your state.
 
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It's because the places with those parking lots don't want a bunch of pot bellied guys in black leather vests and stained white t-shirts that don't cover their beer guts hanging around their establishments.
 
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It has nothing to do with YOU, but has everything to do with other cars. The gates usually have sensors on the ground which t he motorcycle may or may not trigger. Every time it doesn't trigger, a car gets out for free because you've left the gate open. They wouldn't close on you randomly unless you waited for about 5 minutes under one (and most don't even have a timer because of liability issues).

As for not allowing you in, they have every right as a private business (even green p falls under this). But most companies would have to be real jerks to actually enforce that rule.
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