Practicing in parking Lots - don't people kick you out?

karentsang

karentsang

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
I've been wondering about this for some time. If I were to go putt around large parking lots (industrial/commerical), could I get stopped by the popo? What about building operators/landlords? What have been your experiences?

No stunting nor speeding, just practicing low-speed maneuvers etc.

I've read numerous threads about practicing but haven't seen it discussed.
 
My wife and I practice at the local high school parking lot. Never got kicked out.
We have also used the local cemetery without problem.
 
CAN the police harass you for trespassing? Yes. WILL they? No. Never heard of it happening for people just practicing slow speed stuff.

Only place I've been kicked out of was Hillcrest Mall's parking lot. That said "Security" there is pretty high-strung as it is
 
I got kicked out of two parking lots. First was an empty food basics parking lot, cops got called and told me to scram, they were very nice and understanding.

The second time I went to some industrial area, very isolated and no one was around since it was a holiday. A passing cop stopped, asked me wtf I was doing and I had to show him all my papers and crap. He said what I was doing looked very suspicious? Maybe it was the cones? I had to leave and he followed me out for a few blocks to make sure I didn't go back.

So I figured a high school parking lot on a Saturday would be best. I went up to Aurora, found some empty school parking lot and practiced all day without being bothered.

I was only practicing for my M1 exit, no stunting or anything like that.
 
I usually do a little PLP in the spring to make sure everything is working well on the bike and to shake the cobwebs of winter off. Never had any issues. Best time to go is early on a Sunday morning as most stores don't open till 11am or 12pm.

I usually use the Sail parking lot at Hwy 400 and 7.
 
Parking lots are all owned by "someone" and if the "someone" doesnt want you there for any reason, they can kick you out.

Cops may come question you and if they ask you to leave, its best to leave and just find another parking lot.

As long as you dont appear to be doing anything stupid or reckless, they probably wouldnt care unless its a parking lot with active security patrol.

Just find an empty parking lot out of sight, if theres no one there to complain or kick you out, you're going to be fine.
 
Wheelieboy said:
Parking lots are all owned by "someone" and if the "someone" doesnt want you there for any reason, they can kick you out.

Cops may come question you and if they ask you to leave, its best to leave and just find another parking lot.

As long as you dont appear to be doing anything stupid or reckless, they probably wouldnt care unless its a parking lot with active security patrol.

Just find an empty parking lot out of sight, if theres no one there to complain or kick you out, you're going to be fine.
Click to expand...

It's true. One time I pulled into my usual spot and there 2 cop cars parked there. they were both having coffee and chatting. Ended up watching me practice for half an hour and left me alone.
 
I have used the parking lots at exhibition place without issue - especially on Sundays when there is no trade shows going on. The most that should happen is someone asks you to leave and you do.

EC2010 said:
It's true. One time I pulled into my usual spot and there 2 cop cars parked there. they were both having coffee and chatting. Ended up watching me practice for half an hour and left me alone.
Click to expand...
 
Tons of cops around there too. They don't care as long as you aren't going speedracer around the roads in the area. I've seen other riders in there when I show up (they took off though).

shanekingsley said:
I have used the parking lots at exhibition place without issue - especially on Sundays when there is no trade shows going on. The most that should happen is someone asks you to leave and you do.
Click to expand...
 
movie theaters during the weekdays and go stations during the weekend.

I'd go anywhere that's empty really. Just got to remember, if they ask you to leave you have to.
 
As long as you're not doing anything wreckless and stupid, the worse that will happen is that you are asked to leave. Some may do it politely, and some may not.

Most times it would have to be the owner or manager of the store on the lot that calls the police to come and ask you to leave. It's not impossible, but a random police officer could also come in and simply ask what you're doing there. Again, as long as you're not doing anything wreckless and you simply explain that you're practicing low speed maneuvers on your bike, you should be fine. It's even more believable if you're still on your M1 or recently got your M2. Sometimes people don't ride for a few years and they feel the need to practice again as well.
 
When they're not running a course, the Durham College parking lot seems to be a popular place to go...never used it myself, prefer some place closer to home.

Use a parking lot that you know the driving schools use. If they're using it and not getting kicked out, chances are it will ok for you too.
 
I've never been booted from a lot. It's pretty lame for anyone to give a **** when the lot's empty but apparently it does happen occasionally. My first season I got a puzzled look from an old man who worked at a church I turned into. I just politely asked if it was ok to practice there and he was fine with it.
 
shanekingsley said:
I have used the parking lots at exhibition place without issue - especially on Sundays when there is no trade shows going on. The most that should happen is someone asks you to leave and you do.
Click to expand...

Funny, I used to practice there early last summer. One evening I had to stop to take a work-related call in the middle of my session. As I was pacing around on the phone with my bike parked near the bleachers at the south end of the lot close to Lakeshore, I see a security vehicle coming towards me in the distance.

"Crap" I thought, "they are going to boot me. "

Security guy pulls up and stops 20 feet away and mutters something. I couldn't quite make it out over the noise of his buggy, but it sounded like "Just get out you, okay!".

I'm turning a little red in frustration as the whole exhibition grounds is completely deserted. Why can't they just leave me be? Where else am I supposed to practice?

"Excuse me?" I say.

The guy looks right at me with a stern expression and raises his voice.

"Just want to find out if you are okay?"

Now my face is even more red, but because I am blushing. Nice guy. Maybe he is a rider too :)
 
Also if you want to be a bit more structured with your practice and have some cones, you can mark out your courses or drills nicely. I personally prefer the smallest ones that are very flexible, so when you ride over them while in a lean your direction of travel does not get disrupted.

They sell the really nice small ones from the MSF online store, and they seem to worth the price for how long they would last if you plan on practicing for years.

I bought a bunch off ebay which are pretty nice and cheap, but they are larger than the MSF ones.
 
Last edited:
I've been asked to leave before, you just say ok.... And.... Leave. Lol
 
i ussually go to rona, the closed down ones are just sitting empty lots, nut there is a ton of lots to go to, this year i want to get some cones too, i enjoy doing parking lit drills :-)
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom