Brian White | September 7, 2022 | Motorcycle Accidents
Texas, as the second largest state in the country, offers miles and miles of road for motorcycle riders to enjoy. It is estimated that there are over 400,000 registered motorcycles in the state.
Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating. With the bump in gas prices, they are also a smart economical choice. Before you hit the open road, be smart about safety. A motorcycle and its rider are more vulnerable on the road. If you are in a collision, you could sustain serious injuries.
There are some important things to consider before you get on your motorcycle and prepare to hit the open road in Houston. First, you’ll need to get a valid motorcycle license and make sure you’re properly trained.
Remember, motorcycles are harder to see on the roads, so you have to ride extra defensively. It is also essential that you wear the proper safety gear.
When they are not in motion, there are no specific rules for parking a motorcycle in Texas.
All general matters related to parking are addressed in Section 545 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Motorcycles Are Treated the Same as Regular Vehicles
In Texas, motorcycles are considered regular vehicles and are treated as such under the law for the purposes of parking. Therefore, you can only park your motorcycle where you’d otherwise be able to park your car.
May I Park My Motorcycle on a Sidewalk?
It is not legal under state law to park a motorcycle on a sidewalk. You also can’t park in an intersection, on a crosswalk, between a safety zone and the adjacent curb, on a bridge, or on a railroad track. Also illegal is parking a motorcycle anywhere that could block access or on a curb ramp.
Even though it is tempting, motorcycles can’t park in places that aren’t designated as parking spaces. The same goes for a pedestrian walkway.
Motorcycles and Street Parking
By default, you may park your motorcycle with the rear wheel touching the curb in Texas as you might expect. However, certain cities do have ordinances that require you to park the same way you would park a car, with both wheels of the motorcycle equally close to the curb.
Parking in Disabled Spots
You can only park your motorcycle in a handicapped parking spot if you have a disabled license plate and valid placard attached to your bike. Sharing or lending the placard with others isn’t allowed.
You can’t park your motorcycle in the striped area next to a handicapped parking spot, convenient as it may be. The reason for this is that that space is generally reserved for wheelchair lifts.
Metered Spaces
Parking rules in metered spaces are generally dealt with by the locality. If you aren’t sure what the rules are, you can ask a parking authority or look online to see if the rules are addressed there. You can always take a chance, but you run the risk of getting a ticket or, worse, towed.
Parking Lots
Unless you are in a special parking lot designed for motorcycles, it’s smart to follow the general rule of one vehicle per spot. The same would apply to parking garages. Each garage will have its own rules and procedures. You will have to figure out your parking options on a case-by-case basis.
Consult With an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you need help after a motorcycle accident in Houston, whether you were parked or moving, consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
Contact the Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston motorcycle accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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