Page 22 - Riding On Autumn 2023

Where can I park

my Motorbike

I was walking back to my Triumph after leaving the Bendigo With reference to blocking the path of pedestrians, I found
bank in Eaglehawk (Vic), and saw a man coming towards me the following in Google under, ‘the correct way to park your
looking at my bike, which was parked on the footpath near the motorcycle on a pavement’:
bank’s corner.
Park at least one motorcycle wheel diameter back from the
I was expecting questions about the bike and instead got, road kerb to allow pedestrians free access to and from the road
“You can’t park your motorbike there d@#k%&ad!”, to which I and to parked vehicles (you can leave less space between your
replied, “Actually, the law says I can.” motorcycle and the kerb if you park next to a ‘No Stopping’
zone).
What followed was a short conversation and I left (I had other
things to do and my tolerance for bombastic ignorance is limited I have since found the following list of restrictions to parking a
to say the least). motorcycle on a footpath in Melbourne on
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/parking-and-transport/
I raised it at brunch one morning and another member said he parking/parking-rules/Pages/motorcycle-parking.aspx:
had a Bylaws officer actually issue him with a fine. He took it
around to the City of Greater Bendigo who agreed with him that -Motorcycle parking is not permitted on the footpath adjacent
he shouldn’t have been fined, cancelled it, and had the Bylaws to any parking bay reserved for people with disabilities (marked
officer call him back to apologise. with the international symbol of access).

So, can you park your motorbike on footpaths? The short -Do not park your motorcycle on or near service access points
answer is that in Victoria, you can; but not other states. But the such as manhole covers and underground access points.
more I checked, the more caveats I found to that statement,
hence this article. -Motorcycle parked with front tyre partially on a covered
underground access point
I copied the following from https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.
au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/ -Do not park your motorcycle near taxi ranks, bus stops or tram
motorcycles: stops.
-Motorcycles and scooters parked in a row along a bus stop
Footpath parking -Do not park your motorcycle in a spot that will obstruct access
to a ticket machine or meter.
In Victoria, you can park your motorcycle on a footpath, unless -Motorcycle parked very close to a ticket machine
there is a sign saying you can’t. When parking you must not get -Do not park your motorcycle where space is reserved for
in the way, or block the path of pedestrians, delivery vehicles, footpath activities such as street cafes. These areas can be
public transport users or parked cars. identified by Footpath Dining Boundary markers.
-City of Melbourne Footpath Dining Boundary marker
On-street motorcycle parking bays are available in Melbourne’s -Do not park your motorcycle in a way that obstructs
Central Business District and other urban areas throughout pedestrians using the footpath.
Victoria. -Parked motorcycle obstructing a narrow footpath
-Do not park your motorcycle in a way that obstructs doorways
The responsibility for the enforcement of footpath parking lies and shop entrances.
with Councils. To find out more about your local parking laws,
visit Local Councils. Penalties will apply if you park in motorcycle -Parked motorcycle obstructing a door with signs ‘Keep doorway
excluded areas. clear. Fire safety door, do not obstruct’

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