The definition of "freedom" coming from a motorcyc

[rickyh]

No cop outs either like "Freedom is something different depending on the person." Just kidding.

Anyway I was in a superwalmart parking lot earlier, picking up V-Twin mag, and it was super crowded and backed up on traffic. All the parking spots were taken so I kind of parked probaly where I wasn't suppose to, but it was close to the store, I thought 'Wow what convenience?!" (sp?)
Then when I came out, traffic was horrible, I got on my bike though and drove beside them. I didn't fly, I didn't do crazy stunts. I just drove along beside them, and thought...ha suckers, stuck in traffic.
At red lights, my bike beats pretty much all the cars and trucks out on acceleration, allowing me to get comforatbaly ahead.

Anyway from the above I feel empowered and free on my bike, is this what people mean by 'freedom' when speaking of it and a bike? Or am I taking the wrong attitude and approach about it ?

Thanks in advance.

[iwannadie]

the joys of parking anywhere. at most stores as long as you dont block the door area you can park on the sidewalks. or better yet find a bike rack near the door and park there. my walmarts all have a bike rack less than 10 feet from the door. i always park there i love the looks of people in cars as they circle for 10 minutes finding a spot and i pull right up on the sidewalk and park

i actually worked at walmart and during the big thanksgiving day sales rush(if you been to them you know the crowds). walmart told the employees to park in a lot thats literally 200 yards away probally more. i was told it wasnt a problem at all to park my bike in the usual spot on the bike rack, all the employees were pissed at me. and on the way out traffic was awefull i to rode along side the cars passing them all to get to the light and be the first out.

[Loonette]

Unless you're sure of a store's policy, you can't be sure that it's okay to park on their sidewalk. And if the store is on a public sidewalk, it most definitely is NOT okay to park there. But perhaps you're willing to take the chance.

Personally, I don't believe owning a bike gives me those sorts of privileges. I park where there are parking spaces. Why not? There's nothing wrong with my legs. And I don't care to lane share - especially in a parking area. To me that's just asking for a crash.

I think it's great if businesses and/or communities provide special parking areas for motorcycles. But if that's not available, I'm no better than anyone else, so I park like anyone else. I also don't care to think of others as some sort of suckers just because I use better parking.

This post feels more like "how can we stick it to others" than about the freedoms of biking. So I'm done now...

Loonette

[iwannadie]

i dont like parking in regular spots, cars have hard enough time seeing a bike on the road. a bike in a parking spot doesnt take the full spot up and some people dont know how to park or look before they fly into a spot. good chance they wont see your bike and plow right into it.

its not being better than anyone else, its parking where you can. if someone decides to drive a massive SUV that takes up 3 parking spots thats their problem. always an added benefit of being on a bike, like being able to ride in the car pool lane. cars hate seeing that but too bad for them. i havent had any problems parking in front of stores near the doors. also parking there provides more security for your bike.

park where you want, here all bikes park right by the doors or by the bike racks. a few places have added motorcycle only spots next to the handicap spots not sure if that will spread all over yet or not.

[Psycluded]

Freedom is the feeling you get when you're blasting down a deserted highway at mach speeds cutting through the wind and involuntarily giggling at how much fun you're having.

[zarakand]

I concur with Loonette. Lane sharing/splitting is not acceptable in most states. The only state I can readliy think of where it's accepted is California that's one of things I remember from Hough's book. As far as parking on the sidewalk, seems more likely to "pee" people off than anything else. We're still expected to follow the rules of the road, simply because we can do something doensn't mean we should. Besides am I the only one that notices when cagers are upset they tend to tailgate you and drive more recklessly around you? I don't care how great my gear is I'm always going to play the chicken with a cager.

[XJRJohn]

i tend to do a lot of filtering,its the done thing in the uk.its one of the reasons for owning a bike.there are certain nonos.like never filter between fast moving traffic(beleive me some do)a lot of cars will move to one side to let you through,a lot won,t.parking is a matter of common sense.theres plenty of places for bikes only and most stores have a m/c spot.i try to leave car spots alone if its crowded and theres an out of the way spot for the bike.explain freedom?no idea,its just being on me bike and enjoying it.xjrjohn

[iwannadie]

im surprised by everyone against sidewalk parking. everyone here does it and stores seem to encourage it, it frees up more spots for cars. as long as your not blocking the walk way or doors then whats the big hassle to anyone else? to me its the same as riding in the car pool lane(which is legal for 1 person on a bike). sure people dont like it but its not my problem to please them.

[zarakand]

I think sidewalk parking is more common where you are due to the weather year round. Here with most people forgetting about bikes for half the year, sidewalk parking is much less accepted.