Leaving a bike parked at the Airport

[madbikeboy]

I've often wondered, as I extract myself from the cab after getting stitched $110+ dollars for the priviledge of sitting in said cab - is it safe to leave your bike parked at the Auckland international or domestic airport?

I often see a gaggle of bikes (what is the plural of bikes, gaggle, flock, brace?) parked in the front corner of the domestic carpark. Is it safe?? Would you leave your bike there - there is security, and there are cameras.

But, if it were your baby?, notsome one elses ugly assed BMW - would you leave it there for a few days?

[Kirill357]

Bloody cabs, get a girlfriend with a driver licence, so she would drive there :)

[Mrs Busa Pete]

We left our's at the domestic terminal for 4 days when we went to Dunedin and the bloody thing was still there when we got back.

[Luckylegs]

Nah, I dont trust people, either numptys who decide they need it more than you but also over zealous "parking wardens" deciding you are parked illegally.

Its a long way home from the airport for most dorklanders, and the last thing you need to come back to.

Now depending on where Im flying, I have given thought to whether I should ride down and flag the flying all together.

[jrandom]

Personally, I'd be twitchy as hell if I was out of town or out of the country and my bike was parked at the airport.

I prefer to just leave my baby at home and suck up the taxi fare or con a kind friend into giving me a lift.

[alanzs]

I have parked my bike at the Auckland airport for a day. I parked as close to the terminal as possible and had three locks on it and a cover. I was nervous about it all the time I was away. But, I am always nervous about my bike, no matter where I park.
But then again, I am always nervous about most everything. One time, I was so nervous that I almost; shit, I am nervous now just talking about being nervous.... :oi-grr:

[Patch]

Its perfectly safe to leave it parked in the covered lower carpark (in the main parking entrance 3 choices, uncovered, upper level, an the covered lower level carpark.

Have had a chat to the manager in there before, they don't mind us riding around the barriers (read not paying) so long as we don't actually take a carpark space.
Its patrolled, videoed 24/7 and a couple of the lads are motor sickle enthusiasts.


There are much easier places to steal a bike, if you are that way inclined.

[Luckylegs]

......they don't mind us riding around the barriers (read not paying) so long as we don't actually take a carpark space.

There are much easier places to steal a bike, if you are that way inclined.

Good Info, good to know...

...Funnily enough though the last time I rode to the Auckland domestic airport to meet someone I thought Id park in there (in a corner or something, not a carpark) but was worried about sneaking in (or being perceived as having snuck in) so I took a ticket, parked in a corner space between cars. When I went to leave I stopped at the pay booth, suggested I hadnt taken a car park etc etc and expected to be let on my way. He asked if I had taken a ticket which I said he had. He said in that case you have to pay. I asked whether that meant I should go around the barrier, to which he replied "I didnt say that"....

...And FWIW... Im a good boy so I did end up paying that day. :innocent:

I guess in general though it had left me a little unsure of the rules and this is why I would be nervous of the over zealous parking :Police:

[alanzs]

Its perfectly safe to leave it parked in the covered lower carpark (in the main parking entrance 3 choices, uncovered, upper level, an the covered lower level carpark.

Have had a chat to the manager in there before, they don't mind us riding around the barriers (read not paying) so long as we don't actually take a carpark space.
Its patrolled, videoed 24/7 and a couple of the lads are motor sickle enthusiasts.


There are much easier places to steal a bike, if you are that way inclined.

Good to know. I have always figured it was videoed, as there are cameras all around, but all that means is they'd have it on film of my bike getting stolen.
Thanks for the information. I'm already relieved....

[PrincessBandit]

"Motorbikes can park in the spaces dedicated to cars.
Motorbikes are not permitted to park on any footpaths, walkways or entry/exit doors. Motorbikes that are parked illegally will receive an infringement notice and may be towed. If you are unsure of where to park upon your arrival, please speak to a parking attendant, who will point you in the right direction."
Just cut and pasted this from the internet (googled 'motorbike parking Auckland Airport'). Also rang them and was put through to Wilsons, who do the parking there. Was told by an operator that motorbikes should park in the undercover carpark in front of the domestic terminal - take ticket upon entry, but DO ride around the barrier arm to exit, no need to pay. I asked what to do with the ticket and he said "just keep it". I would still assume that I'd leave my bike (if I was going to do this) in a corner area so wasn't taking a car space though.

[slopster]

You can buy a $20 push bike off trade me and leave it there - if its still there when you get back, even better.

The short term parking area is only seperated from the road by a 1 foot curb. If you have a good 4wd or a bike you can lift onto it you don't need to pay for parking at the airport.

[Ixion]

..
I often see a gaggle of bikes (what is the plural of bikes, gaggle, flock, brace?)..

The collective noun of bikes. Surely, a 'bin of bikes'.

[Forest]

As long as you are sensible about where you park, you should be fine.

[fergie]

When ever we go overseas we stay at the Ventura just down the road from the airport $89 a night (approx) and leave the vehicle there and use the venturas free shuttle service

[R6_kid]

I used to work at Air NZ Domestic Terminal as an aircraft loader and I parked my bike there on a regular basis - not so sure that i'd leave it there for extended periods though.

[ManDownUnder]

Left my bike in the covered parking for 4 days a couple of times - no worries, I'd do it again too.

Free parking (just ride around the outside of the barrier arm - one of them is spectacularly short which makes me wonder if someone trimmed it for exactly that reason.

Free parking man...!

[Dakara]

Never had any problems leaving mine there. Whilest I have access to the staff craprak it's too bloody far to walk! So on the days when I take the bike I just sweep round the barrier and park in the above mentioned corner... course it's never there for more than 10 hours. Long term I couldn't say...

[jrandom]

Have had a chat to the manager in there before, they don't mind us riding around the barriers (read not paying) so long as we don't actually take a carpark space.
Its patrolled, videoed 24/7 and a couple of the lads are motor sickle enthusiasts.

Excellent!

That's good to know.

[madbikeboy]

Good advice, thanks for taking the time out to answer.

I do the airport thing very regularly, it's awfully tough to convince a girlfriend to get out of bed at 5 am for a 7.30 flight somewhere on a regular basis...

As for the plural of bikes being a "bin" - surely you jest?

Thanks also for the advice about the parking, and not paying. At $25 plus per day, it gets expensive very quickly...

[jrandom]

Thanks also for the advice about the parking, and not paying.

I've always taken that for a given at the airport when on a bike or in a 4WD.

:whistle: