Most new riders spend weeks thinking about how to ride, but barely five minutes thinking about where to park. That’s a problem, because parking a motorcycle badly can cost you your bike, a fine, or both.

Finding legal parking spots is the first thing to get your head around. In the UK, motorcycles can use marked motorcycle bays for free in many areas, but parking on the pavement is only legal if a sign or bay marking specifically permits it. On the road, you can use car parking spaces, but always check for yellow lines and pay-and-display rules the same as any vehicle. When it comes to security, never rely on the steering lock alone. Use a quality disc lock as a minimum, and if you’re leaving the bike for any length of time, a ground anchor or chain through the wheel and frame adds serious peace of mind. As for etiquette, keep your bike tidy within a bay, don’t block pedestrian paths, and always leave enough room for other riders to manoeuvre around you. Have you got a go-to routine when you park up, or is this something you’ve been figuring out as you go?

Learning the practical stuff like this is exactly what good training builds into you from day one. At Betta Biker Rider Training, based in Warrington and serving the North West, we’ve been turning beginners into confident, thinking riders since 2015. Our CBT courses (just £210, available at weekends and bank holidays) cover far more than just the basics of moving and stopping. What’s the one thing about riding you wish someone had told you earlier? Drop it in the comments below. 👇