Seniors Parking

[Old Steve]

On Saturday, I returned to where I'd parked in a Seniors Park at the Glenfield Shopping Centre and found an anonymous note on my motorbike. “HOPE YOU ARE A SENIOR!!! IF NOT YOU SHOULDN’T BE PARKED HERE”.

Several thoughts went through my head:

Why would you think that the rider of the bike wasn’t a senior? Yes, I’m 67 and I ride a motorbike. So what?

Who appointed you as the Parking Police?

Do you assume that as soon as they reach 64 years and 364 days that motorbike riders sell their bikes and never ride again?

There were no notes on the screens of the cars parked in Seniors Parks either side of the bike. So, you think that car drivers don’t park in the wrong spaces, only motorbike riders? Or that seniors only drive cars and don't ride motorbikes? Either way, that's discrimination!

And you were too embarrassed to sign your name! Brave little scurrying rodent!

But I have no hard feelings towards the note writer. If they’d like to contact me, I’d be only too happy to to contribute to the festivities in the unlikely event that their parents decide to get married.

Yes, seniors do ride motorbikes. We also ski, skydive, surf, scuba and do so many other challenging and dangerous things.

So, I've sent a copy of that message to Ana Samways of the Sideswipe column in the NZ Herald. Hope she prints it. There's someone out there that needs a good kick in the arse.

Oh, incidentally, I probably pay more registration fees for my motorbike than both the cars parked either side of my bike.

[Laava]

Imagine the indignation of the person who wrote that note! Lips pressed tightly together until they are all white, unintelligable mumbles, barely concealed tension and anger and then they will probably take a photo and send it to sideswipe! Hahahahahahaha!:shifty:

[Akzle]

On Saturday, I returned to where I'd parked in a Seniors Park at the Glenfield Shopping Centre and found an anonymous note on my motorbike. “HOPE YOU ARE A SENIOR!!! IF NOT YOU SHOULDN’T BE PARKED HERE.

probably left by some old fogie. Ignore it, they'll be dead soon enough.

[varminter]

When we're two up I'm tempted to use my wife's disability parking permit, just for the hell of it.

[Old Steve]

When we're two up I'm tempted to use my wife's disability parking permit, just for the hell of it.

Love it!!! Though where would you leave it? Bet some low life would steal it in order to get themselves convenient parking.

My wife pointed out that I'm an able bodied senior and the writer was probably someone with a disability who wanted a park near to the shopping centre entrance. But my position is that the sign doesn't read "Senior parking for those with disabilities" and I chose the spot because it was closer to the top of the escalator for me carrying my groceries to the bike (as you can't get a shopping trolley up the stepped escalators). OK, it was only a 3L bottle of milk and some vegs. Bit of a laugh, I had to let the leeks hang out the back of the saddlebags like a Welsh pennant.

[pritch]

Loved the story. The supermarket I shop at has parks for people with disabilities and pregnant women. I will check and see if they have seniors parks just so I can park the bike there.

When using the car I try to park in the wide open spaces in an effort to minimise the dings in the doors.

[Banditbandit]

Why would you think that the rider of the bike wasn’t a senior? Yes, I’m 67 and I ride a motorbike. So what?



This one ... people think Bike Riders are kids ...


I love watching cops faces when they stop me ... they get a shock at the grey hair that appears from under the helmet ...

[Grumph]

This one ... people think Bike Riders are kids ...


I love watching cops faces when they stop me ... they get a shock at the grey hair that appears from under the helmet ...

Yeah, that's happened to me...the cop looked young enough to be my grandson....

There's a supermarket I go to regularly where the parks marked for mothers with prams are invariably occupied by asian students. No kid in sight.

[Blackbird]

I love watching cops faces when they stop me ... they get a shock at the grey hair that appears from under the helmet ...

Hahaha - ditto - I'm 68 next month! I've got a Shoei graphics helmet and in the summer, wear grey and black leathers. Made the mistake of saying to my wife that I must be a real chick magnet in that gear. She didn't bat an eyelid - just said "Yeah, until you take your helmet off". Trust wives to bring us back to earth :facepalm:

[5ive]

....

Yes, seniors do ride motorbikes. We also ski, skydive, surf, scuba and do so many other challenging and dangerous things.

So, I've sent a copy of that message to Ana Samways of the Sideswipe column in the NZ Herald. Hope she prints it. There's someone out there that needs a good kick in the arse.

Oh, incidentally, I probably pay more registration fees for my motorbike than both the cars parked either side of my bike.

Yes, your rant got printed today, thought I'd seen it somewhere before :violin:

The irony is, the note leaver was probably just another senior who was frustrated, and looking for a park.

Regardless of who left the note, it's probably not as easy for many other seniors to walk long distances, with or without their shopping, so if you're lucky enough to still be able-bodied enough to ride a motorbike, ski, skydive, surf, scuba, and the other challenging and dangerous things that you like and can still do, then maybe parking further away from the shops might be the courteous thing to do?

Incidentally, if you can still afford to pay rego for a motorbike and two cars, then I hope you aren't still drawing superannuation as well and further burdening the tax payers. But then again, you may just be one of those that feel entitled to taking something just because you can, and maybe not because you need it :niceone:

[Jase H]

Why would you think that the rider of the bike wasn’t a senior? Yes, I’m 67 and I ride a motorbike. So what?


Hey, if the writer didn't think you were old enough to park there, maybe you look young for your age. I'd take that as a win. :banana:

[Tazz]

But my position is that the sign doesn't read "Senior parking for those with disabilities"

I just park in the bike rack because it doesn't say 'no motorbikes'.

Half sarcasm there, because I actually do that when I'm grocery shopping in the rain so I can put everything away while under cover :baby:

[R650R]

Yes, your rant got printed today, thought I'd seen it somewhere before :violin:

The irony is, the note leaver was probably just another senior who was frustrated, and looking for a park.

Regardless of who left the note, it's probably not as easy for many other seniors to walk long distances, with or without their shopping, so if you're lucky enough to still be able-bodied enough to ride a motorbike, ski, skydive, surf, scuba, and the other challenging and dangerous things that you like and can still do, then maybe parking further away from the shops might be the courteous thing to do?

Incidentally, if you can still afford to pay rego for a motorbike and two cars, then I hope you aren't still drawing superannuation as well and further burdening the tax payers. But then again, you may just be one of those that feel entitled to taking something just because you can, and maybe not because you need it :niceone:

I agree with this fella. Senior means your old and have some kind of substantially impaired mobility. If your still relatively fit and able bodied you should park with ordinary peasants.
I've worked with truckers still doing the job and hours as good as any young bloke and their in 70's.
We have an aging population there wont be enough of those parks to go around soon.

[Grubber]

Yes, your rant got printed today, thought I'd seen it somewhere before :violin:

The irony is, the note leaver was probably just another senior who was frustrated, and looking for a park.

Regardless of who left the note, it's probably not as easy for many other seniors to walk long distances, with or without their shopping, so if you're lucky enough to still be able-bodied enough to ride a motorbike, ski, skydive, surf, scuba, and the other challenging and dangerous things that you like and can still do, then maybe parking further away from the shops might be the courteous thing to do?

Incidentally, if you can still afford to pay rego for a motorbike and two cars, then I hope you aren't still drawing superannuation as well and further burdening the tax payers. But then again, you may just be one of those that feel entitled to taking something just because you can, and maybe not because you need it :niceone:

I'm on your side fella.
My Mother was disabled for the last years of her life and it used to frustrate the hell out of me trying to find a disabled park. Always some retard parked in it that wasn't short of a couple of good legs.
As for this situation, i say if you can walk just fine then go park somewhere else. It's not rocket science as to whom the designated park is for. Certainly not able bodied people that's for sure. Seems to me that its being a little pedantic to assume the age is the actual criteria.

[Robbo]

I'm on your side fella.
My Mother was disabled for the last years of her life and it used to frustrate the hell out of me trying to find a disabled park. Always some retard parked in it that wasn't short of a couple of good legs.
As for this situation, i say if you can walk just fine then go park somewhere else. It's not rocket science as to whom the designated park is for. Certainly not able bodied people that's for sure. Seems to me that its being a little pedantic to assume the age is the actual criteria.

Guys, we are talking about a "Seniors" vehicle parking. Not a "Disabled" parking.
There is a big difference and once you have attained Retirement age you automatically
receive "Seniors" status. Steve is fully entitled to use a "Seniors" parking regardless
of what his mode of transport is.
It is not the business of an ignorant cunt who thinks he is a policeman to put
a note of any kind on his vehicle.

[TheDemonLord]

I agree with this fella. Senior means your old and have some kind of substantially impaired mobility. If your still relatively fit and able bodied you should park with ordinary peasants.
I've worked with truckers still doing the job and hours as good as any young bloke and their in 70's.
We have an aging population there wont be enough of those parks to go around soon.

Does the Carpark say 'Old and impaired Mobility' or does it say Senior?

I agree with the logic that it does seem to be a bit of a dick move to park in a Senior Carpark when you are a spritely 65 Year old, but it is not 'wrong' and so to chastise someone for simply exercising their rights (as granted to them by their Age) is equally or more so wrong.

[Old Steve]

There were 3 types of dedicated parking that I recall.

Disability - and having had a disabled Mother-in-law I feel very strongly about able bodied people who park in these spots.

Parents with prams - didn't think I'd get away with parking there.

Seniors - and there's absolutely no clarification that it's only for seniors with a disability. I chose to park there because I knew I would be carrying groceries and would have to come up a stepped escalator to get to the parking level, so parked in the Seniors Parking spot as close to the shopping centre entrance as I could.

[JimO]

yea whats with disabled cunts getting all the good parks, a decent walk would do them good

[russd7]

Seems to me that its being a little pedantic to assume the age is the actual criteria.

hmmmm lets get this straight, how the hell is it pedantic to assume the age is not the criteria for a "Seniors Park", it wasn't a disability park that was parked in, i would say that ages is the exact criteria to park in a seniors park.
I say good on the OP.
I get fed up with the BS chucked at me for where i park my bike, we once had ten bikes parked in three angle parks and still got abbused for taking up to many parks, we could have taken up ten parking spaces had we wanted to.

[Swoop]

I agree with this fella. Senior means your old and have some kind of substantially impaired mobility. If your still relatively fit and able bodied you should park with ordinary peasants.

I'm still trying to find out when having a child meant you are disabled.

[Grubber]

I'm still trying to find out when having a child meant you are disabled.

Logic would tell me it's for Mums and the prams etc. Little ones can be a bit of a handful especially when ya got 2 or 3 of them. But hey that's just the logic in me coming out.
You go on though, park right in that spot and win ya self some friends.

[Grubber]

hmmmm lets get this straight, how the hell is it pedantic to assume the age is not the criteria for a "Seniors Park", it wasn't a disability park that was parked in, i would say that ages is the exact criteria to park in a seniors park.
I say good on the OP.
I get fed up with the BS chucked at me for where i park my bike, we once had ten bikes parked in three angle parks and still got abbused for taking up to many parks, we could have taken up ten parking spaces had we wanted to.

And i bet you would do just that and watch some old codger with a walking stick be pushed to an outside park, ya know, just to prove a point. Bet your a real good bastard aye.

[R650R]

This whole saga reminds me of an interesting event in Wanganui...
Me and the old man popped out to get takeaways while over visiting relatives. We pulled up outside a suburban set of shops with parallel parking spaces.
There were two empty but Dad stopped in the last one as well it was right outside the door of the chippy. Were were engine off, keys out of ignition and this old lady pulls in behind us and starts laying on the horn, WTF is her problem e wonder, did we cut her off somewhere etc???? Then she starts telling us to move forward.
In the end she pulled around and expertly parallel parked in front of us in the other space, she would have been in 70's. Let go with mega pyscho tirade that we're not real kiwi men as real kiwi men would have moved forward for her etc.... was quite entertaining in its absurdity that already stopped we should start up and move for her....

[russd7]

And i bet you would do just that and watch some old codger with a walking stick be pushed to an outside park, ya know, just to prove a point. Bet your a real good bastard aye.

actually naa i have more respect for me elders than that and when we are in a group we try to use as few parks as possible and when i go to the supermarket we park on the other side of the carpark, less dings in the car that way, my point is that seniors parking im guessing is for over 65 and just because someone dose not walk with a limp or shuffle along or just because they ride a bike does not mean they do not move with pain and as far as im concerned those that have reached retirement age have earned the right to a closer carpark than some parent who is to bloody lazy to push a pushchair or cant be f**ked disciplining their out of control kids, i say take away the pushchair parks and put in more senior parks.

[Grubber]

actually naa i have more respect for me elders than that and when we are in a group we try to use as few parks as possible and when i go to the supermarket we park on the other side of the carpark, less dings in the car that way, my point is that seniors parking im guessing is for over 65 and just because someone dose not walk with a limp or shuffle along or just because they ride a bike does not mean they do not move with pain and as far as im concerned those that have reached retirement age have earned the right to a closer carpark than some parent who is to bloody lazy to push a pushchair or cant be f**ked disciplining their out of control kids, i say take away the pushchair parks and put in more senior parks.

I also have tons of respect, enough to know if i'm agile and fine at 65 i can easily leave that park to someone who needs it more than me. My time will come. I also have no problem with a park for the Mums battling with kids. You know where they have the pram and a couple in tow and then on top of that probably a shopping cart to return with also.
thier parks are slightly larger if you hadn't noticed so they can extract the said pram without having kids run over or damaging other cars to the sides.

[Grumph]

I also have tons of respect, enough to know if i'm agile and fine at 65 i can easily leave that park to someone who needs it more than me. My time will come. I also have no problem with a park for the Mums battling with kids. You know where they have the pram and a couple in tow and then on top of that probably a shopping cart to return with also.
thier parks are slightly larger if you hadn't noticed so they can extract the said pram without having kids run over or damaging other cars to the sides.

That extra space is what makes them attractive to asian students.....

[awayatc]

The mums...?
Or the parking slots....?

[awayatc]

Signs for Africa....
We are supposed to do as they indicate...
So what's the fuckin problem?
Are we supposed to do something some anal retentive thinks is appropriate regardless of what the sign says.....?
Talking about having issues.....

[eldog]

i am all for bigger parking spaces, some car parks are just stupid widths. no allowance for doors etc.
my cars turning circle is shyte so i allow for that.

i park well away from entrance to avoid dings and left behind nappies. usually parked on own in middle of empty spaces come back to car and car almost jammed in - rest of car park empty.

have you seen how most people drive in car parks:facepalm: ya wonder how we survive on our bikes when they hit the road

[Shaun Harris]

After neally ending up in a wheel chair for the rest of my life, one of my biggest pet hates is, when people park in special area's for special condition people. Inconsiderate LAZY CUNTS I say, and write it on the windscreens with a felt marker pen also, if I see the driver using these spaces and it is obvious that they are fine and capable of walking for 3 minutes to a correct space for them, arseholes

[pritch]

So what's the fuckin problem?
Are we supposed to do something some anal retentive thinks is appropriate regardless of what the sign says.....?
Talking about having issues.....

Exactly! I got angry at some of the drivel posted in this thread and started to write a reasonably hostile post. Nah, I don't come here to indulge in flame wars so instead I gave a couple of guys who made sense green bling. (In this context "made sense" means that their views seemed to coincide with my own.) :whistle:

The weather has not been kind the last couple of days but I have commenced a study of the signs at my local supermarket. There are the usual spaces reserved for the disabled and there are some for expectant mothers. So far it appears they lose any special consideration postpartum but I'm waiting for a scheduled visit when it isn't pissing rain to verify that.

If there are any reserved for seniors I will not feel guilty about using same. Especially since the place I used to park my bike is now marked as a loading zone.

[awayatc]

What about dozens of disabled parking spaces in front of mega miter 10....-
Now that's funny....
Cant carry their arse across the tarmac ...but doing the big power tool house Reno....

[awayatc]

After neally ending up in a wheel chair for the rest of my life, one of my biggest pet hates is, when people park in special area's for special condition people. Inconsiderate LAZY CUNTS I say, and write it on the windscreens with a felt marker pen also, if I see the driver using these spaces and it is obvious that they are fine and capable of walking for 3 minutes to a correct space for them, arseholes

Head injury was it....?

Special area's. ..?

Rant is about somebody parking in a slot dedicated for him.....

[FJRider]

What about dozens of disabled parking spaces in front of mega miter 10....-
Now that's funny....
Cant carry their arse across the tarmac ...but doing the big power tool house Reno....

Wife has (iron grip) control of the credit card ... and she is the disabled one ... (usually)

Hubby is the handyman ... and the driver.




maybe ..

[Shaun Harris]

Exactly! I got angry at some of the drivel posted in this thread and started to write a reasonably hostile post. Nah, I don't come here to indulge in flame wars so instead I gave a couple of guys who made sense green bling. (In this context "made sense" means that their views seemed to coincide with my own.) :whistle:

The weather has not been kind the last couple of days but I have commenced a study of the signs at my local supermarket. There are the usual spaces reserved for the disabled and there are some for expectant mothers. So far it appears they lose any special consideration postpartum but I'm waiting for a scheduled visit when it isn't pissing rain to verify that.

If there are any reserved for seniors I will not feel guilty about using same. Especially since the place I used to park my bike is now marked as a loading zone.


I have NOT noticed any SENIORS parks at the super markets here Pritch, and I do pay attn to them, as said in my last post in this thread

[Tazz]

What about dozens of disabled parking spaces in front of mega miter 10....-
Now that's funny....
Cant carry their arse across the tarmac ...but doing the big power tool house Reno....

Building codes would be the reason I'd imagine. Nothing to do what business ends up in the building. So many handicap spaces for so many parks sort of rule at a guess.

[Shaun Harris]

Head injury was it....?

Special area's. ..?

Rant is about somebody parking in a slot dedicated for him.....


And my comment/Rant was about ass holes that park where they should not.In NO way was I attacking the OP of this thread, and since the thread is about parking, I thought it to be fine to add my own comments. Sorry If I got it wrong. And why be the insulting twat and bring up my head injury once again like many other fuk witts have

[awa355]

Local supermarket has a parking bay along side the disability parks, sign reads, "Prams only". I mean, Who parks a pram among the cars, then goes inside to shop??? :innocent: . Or am I missing something here?? :confused:

[Banditbandit]

Local supermarket has a parking bay along side the disability parks, sign reads, "Prams only". I mean, Who parks a pram among the cars, then goes inside to shop??? :innocent: . Or am I missing something here?? :confused:

I hope you've missed the prams ...

[Old Steve]

Went back to the same shopping centre today, in the car. I'd had to drop people off in town so the motorbike was unsuited for the trip.

Yes, there are three differently designated parking restrictions around the parking area. Disabled access parking, parents with prams, and seniors parking (with absolutely no restriction that the senior must be disabled as well).

I parked the car in one of the seniors parking spaces today, and found no note on the windscreen when I returned - the parking Nazi the other day must have been a motorbike-phobe. I did realise though why I subconsciously park in a seniors space if they are available. It's easy to find the car/bike when you come out!!!! Maybe I do satisfy those posters who mistakenly believe that seniors parking spaces are only for disabled seniors. Memory!!! It's so easy to find my car/bike when I've parked in a seniors space close to the shopping centre exit. I have, a couple of times or more, had to wander around shopping centre parking buildings looking for my vehicle. Once I was looking for the bike when I'd driven there in the car, must've walked passed it a couple of times.

But, the sign definitely says "Seniors Parking". That's all it says. There's no added conditions on which seniors may use the spaces, no requirement for the senior to be disabled or infirm. So I'll continue to use these spaces. Incidentally, it's not possible to take a shopping trolley up to the parking level I normally park on at this shopping centre so I have to carry my shopping bags up the escalator. So being able to park in a Seniors Park close to the escalator (stepped escalator, not one of those moving mat travalators) just makes it so easy to get your shopping back to the car or bike.

[Shaun Harris]

Went back to the same shopping centre today, in the car. I'd had to drop people off in town so the motorbike was unsuited for the trip.

Yes, there are three differently designated parking restrictions around the parking area. Disabled access parking, parents with prams, and seniors parking (with absolutely no restriction that the senior must be disabled as well).

I parked the car in one of the seniors parking spaces today, and found no note on the windscreen when I returned - the parking Nazi the other day must have been a motorbike-phobe. I did realise though why I subconsciously park in a seniors space if they are available. It's easy to find the car/bike when you come out!!!! Maybe I do satisfy those posters who mistakenly believe that seniors parking spaces are only for disabled seniors. Memory!!! It's so easy to find my car/bike when I've parked in a seniors space close to the shopping centre exit. I have, a couple of times or more, had to wander around shopping centre parking buildings looking for my vehicle. Once I was looking for the bike when I'd driven there in the car, must've walked passed it a couple of times.

But, the sign definitely says "Seniors Parking". That's all it says. There's no added conditions on which seniors may use the spaces, no requirement for the senior to be disabled or infirm. So I'll continue to use these spaces. Incidentally, it's not possible to take a shopping trolley up to the parking level I normally park on at this shopping centre so I have to carry my shopping bags up the escalator. So being able to park in a Seniors Park close to the escalator (stepped escalator, not one of those moving mat travalators) just makes it so easy to get your shopping back to the car or bike.



Being a senior you are 100% entitled to park in those special spots Steve. Guess the parking NAZI assumed as it was a bike there, that A Young person was riding it. Assumption is a very dangerous game eh

[PrincessBandit]

Oh for goodness sake, sure it's nice to be thoughtful of others but if a sign only says "Seniors Parking" then surely any 'Senior' is entitled to use the space. The ability to ride a motorcycle doesn't automatically mean that the 'senior rider' is a sprightly energetic lover of walking longer distances.

[buggerit]

Oh for goodness sake, sure it's nice to be thoughtful of others but if a sign only says "Seniors Parking" then surely any 'Senior' is entitled to use the space. The ability to ride a motorcycle doesn't automatically mean that the 'senior rider' is a sprightly energetic lover of walking longer distances.

Just find yourself a supermarket without turnstyles, :gob::clap::devil2: jobs a goodun!

[FJRider]

Just find yourself a supermarket without turnstyles, :gob::clap::devil2: jobs a goodun!

I went down to the local supermarket ... but all four parks provided were taken ... :mad:




So I went later ... :blank:

[Swoop]

Local supermarket has a parking bay along side the disability parks, sign reads, "Prams only". I mean, Who parks a pram among the cars, then goes inside to shop???

Don't knock it! No Rego or WoF issues when you drive a pram.:yes:

[Gremlin]

Can't say I've noticed many of those restrictions simply because I don't meet any of the requirements. If I'm in the van I'm lucky to get that close to many stores because of friggen height restrictions. Seriously, why have so many decided 2.0-2.2m is where they can cap it? Even drivethroughs are an issue (although I don't eat that food much).

Yes, normal parks are too narrow, and the rows too close together, although I have to laugh when I see drivers leaving 1-2m behind them, and then 20 turns to get out of the park :facepalm:

There are some parks at the bottom of Parnell, the white lines are only a few mm outside my wheel track. You watch people park, then they can't get out of their vehicle :laugh:

[pritch]

Well today I did a check of the car parks as I arrived at the supermarket. No seniors parks, but most of the front is taken with restricted parking evenly divided between disabled and expectant mothers. There was one car in the expectant mums area as I checked and it contained two old guys who looked about 90. No cars in the disabled parking.

As I left the disabled area was full but all of the cars seemed to be displaying a card. The expectant mums had also pretty much filled up but whether appropriately or not would be difficult to tell.

Meantime I'll continue to park in the wide open spaces hopefully to minimise dings from inattentive fuckwits and their spawn.