Question on Motorcycle Laws

[HalfTime]

I've been riding for 15 years or so, and I've heard from SEVERAL sources, one including a WI DMV rep, and one from a WI County Sheriff, and both my instructors from my Motorcycle Safety Course that Motorcycles can park in the yellow lines between, or next to handicap parking spots. Perhaps it's the fact I've been a active duty Marine for the last 11 years but I like to see things in Black and White.

I've searched and searched both WI laws, and VA laws. I just can't find ANYTHING at all. I would think that LAWs would be easy to research so everyone would have access to pertinent info.

I am from WI, currently stationed in VA. If any of you know the code, laws, or have any info that can help me find the REAL answerer, I'd appetite that very much. As of now, I only park in Motorcycle parking, or standard parking spots.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Lawfficer]

I've been riding for 15 years or so, and I've heard from SEVERAL sources, one including a WI DMV rep, and one from a WI County Sheriff, and both my instructors from my Motorcycle Safety Course that Motorcycles can park in the yellow lines between, or next to handicap parking spots. Perhaps it's the fact I've been a active duty Marine for the last 11 years but I like to see things in Black and White.

I've searched and searched both WI laws, and VA laws. I just can't find ANYTHING at all. I would think that LAWs would be easy to research so everyone would have access to pertinent info.

I am from WI, currently stationed in VA. If any of you know the code, laws, or have any info that can help me find the REAL answerer, I'd appetite that very much. As of now, I only park in Motorcycle parking, or standard parking spots.

Thanks for your time.

WISCONSIN:

346.54 deals specifically with motorcycle parking. I have never heard of motorcycles getting special parking privilages past these. They are a motor vehicle and must obey the same laws as cars.

And Wisconsin Laws are easy to find as they are all online here: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html

Chapter 341 = REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
Chapter 343 = OPERATORS' LICENSES
Chapter 346 = RULES OF THE ROAD (Moving Violations)
Chapter 347 = EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES (Non-Moving/Equipment Violations)

Just have to know where to look I guess.......

 

[fiveohpoepoe]

That would be a chance you would take. For instance, IF it were allowed[I do not think it is] and you got a ticket, you would have to take the time to go to that agency and get it dismissed. Taking more time and effort than parking in a valid space.
If indeed it is illegal, obviously you would just have to pay the fine. Not worth the chance

 

[Turbo347stang]

I'm not going to say for sure this is the case in either of your states, but in WA that area next to disabled parking spots is for the vehilces that have swing out lifts or ramps. So, here it is not legal for anything to be there and I believe that was the intent of having that area next to those spots to begin with.

 

[fiveohpoepoe]

^^I,d say thats the same for all states with the same type of marked spaces. Although I have seen numerous tickets thrown out because they gave the "I didnt know I couldnt park there" line. No reason to go into any of that further.
Its pretty much pitiful to see a driver park in a HD space, throw up the placard and jump out only to run to the store/door to where they are going. I used to question literally dozens of drivers a week on the validity of the placard. Long story short, I got tired of getting the complaints, even though the person driving had no right to use the placard.

 

[slider701]

I'm not a LEO but I am handicap so I'll throw my $0.02 in.

Regardless of whether it is legal or not (for which I would bet it is not) parking in the yellow stripe is down right disrespectful to people who legitimately need to use handicap parking spots (not counting the worthless ****s that use them without actually having an issue)

The striped lined area is primarily there for wheel chair access and also for allowing people to have full access to open their doors. If you have ever had to get out of a car without bending your legs you can appreciate how hard it is if you only open the door part of the way. Or worse yet see someone in a wheel chair not able to get back in their vehicle because some inconsiderate asshole parked in the yellow stripes because they were too lazy to walk an extra 200 feet.

If you're healthy enough to ride a motorcycle...........find a nice spot to park other than a spot that is designated for those less fortunate who would love the opportunity to ride a bike again and would cherish the opportunity to walk from the far end of the parking lot without pain.

And remember.........Karma can be a bitch.........a good portion of folks legitimately using those handicap spots got their opportunity to use them via an unfortunate experience on their motorcycle.

 

[NyteByte]

The striped lined area is primarily there for wheel chair access and also for allowing people to have full access to open their doors. If you have ever had to get out of a car without bending your legs you can appreciate how hard it is if you only open the door part of the way. Or worse yet see someone in a wheel chair not able to get back in their vehicle because some inconsiderate asshole parked in the yellow stripes because they were too lazy to walk an extra 200 feet.

Having a handicapped family member, I was about to post something similar.
If you parked your motorcycle in between the yellow striped area, I'm not sure how the handicapped person in the car would be able to get in or out of their vehicle.

 

[jshen]

I'm not going to say for sure this is the case in either of your states, but in WA that area next to disabled parking spots is for the vehilces that have swing out lifts or ramps. So, here it is not legal for anything to be there and I believe that was the intent of having that area next to those spots to begin with.

That is correct! Those areas have stripes for a reason- to give those handicapped extra room. If you park there- you are subject to ticket.

 

[Lawfficer]

That is correct! Those areas have stripes for a reason- to give those handicapped extra room. If you park there- you are subject to ticket.

Or Grandma Kettle in her Hover Round ramming the bike and knocking it over. :banana:

 

[03trubluGT]

I frequently cite motorcycles for parking in handicapped access aisles, unless they have handicapped tags (which they never do).

 

[FordSVTFan]

I frequently cite motorcycles for parking in handicapped access aisles, unless they have handicapped tags (which they never do).

I saw a motorcycle with handicapped plates the other day.

 

[03machme]

what about motorcycles parking on the sidewalk next to buildings? im pretty sure its not legal but you see it all the time. im too scared im going to get a ticket and thats something i really dont need right now. i just hate leaving my bike in the middle of the parking lot where some dumb soccer mom isnt going to see it in the parking space between 2 SUVs and just run it over because she is on her damn phone

 

[IUP99snake]

I'm not a LEO but I am handicap so I'll throw my $0.02 in.

Regardless of whether it is legal or not (for which I would bet it is not) parking in the yellow stripe is down right disrespectful to people who legitimately need to use handicap parking spots (not counting the worthless ****s that use them without actually having an issue)

The striped lined area is primarily there for wheel chair access and also for allowing people to have full access to open their doors. If you have ever had to get out of a car without bending your legs you can appreciate how hard it is if you only open the door part of the way. Or worse yet see someone in a wheel chair not able to get back in their vehicle because some inconsiderate asshole parked in the yellow stripes because they were too lazy to walk an extra 200 feet.

If you're healthy enough to ride a motorcycle...........find a nice spot to park other than a spot that is designated for those less fortunate who would love the opportunity to ride a bike again and would cherish the opportunity to walk from the far end of the parking lot without pain.

And remember.........Karma can be a bitch.........a good portion of folks legitimately using those handicap spots got their opportunity to use them via an unfortunate experience on their motorcycle.

I've parked in the striped areas by handicapped spots in the past, and I've never received a ticket, but I did get bitched out once by a guy that was parked in a nearby handicapped spot.
Him: "Did you know that was a handicapped spot"
Me: "Yes"
Him: "Why did you park there"
Me: "Because I didn't feel like taking up a regular spot with a motorcycle because the last time I parked at this place of business and took up a whole regular spot, some guy left a note on my bike threatening to knock it over because I took up a whole spot"
Him: "Did you know that these spots are to be used for ramps for handicapped people?"
Me: "Yes, and I'm not blocking where a ramp would go. You're parked two spaces away, and the guy that's parked here has a buick, and obviously doesn't have a ramp in his vehicle. Plus, I was in and out in less than 5 minutes." (I was parked all the way to the front where half of my bike was in one spot, and the other half was at the front of the spot facing it).

I understand why it may be frustrating for handicapped people. I know it was wrong of me to park there, and I rarely park in those spots. Especially if it's for a long period of time. I guess my rationale for parking in those spots is that if you are in and out quickly, or if you are near your bike where it can be moved quickly, AND if there is nowhere else to park, it's excusable. The last thing I would want to do would be to be in the way of someone who actually needed to use that area for a ramp. No one wants to be "that guy".

On a related topic, I sometimes use the handicapped stall in the bathroom at work if all the other stalls are full, and because it has a sink. If all the other stalls are full, the handicapped person should wait just like everyone else. I've never actually seen a handicapped person actually "need" to use it except for one time, where some jackass was in there when all the other stalls were empty. He was taking his sweet time, and I felt so bad for the guy in the wheelchair that needed to use it. I felt like knocking on the door and telling him to get up and switch stalls!

Homer