Airport parking - how cool is that?

[Ebet]

Do any of you park your bike at your local airport? It's not for everyone, I'm sure, but I am quickly becoming a convert at LAX.

This past weekend I parked my 1150R at LAX. I'm sure there's a risk in leaving the bike minimally attended overnight in a public place like that, although Beemers are not generally the biggest theft targets.... It was SO COOL to be able to zoom to the airport in record time, park in the short-term lot (normally $30/day - yikes) for free, walk 50 paces to the terminal, and after returning home, jump back on the bike and be home while everyone else on the flight was probably still waiting for their shuttle to pick them up. As I rode away, I was thinking how this is way too cool for school!

The bike spent the weekend in good company with an RT and a Goldwing nearby as well as a random sportbike or two. It took a little, um, persuasion to get past the exit gate because the bars are at exactly the height of the gate, but it was okay. Anyway, I am looking forward to doing this again next week when I have to do an overnight business trip. It's also a good motivator to pack light. IMHO, it's great to have some two-wheeled relief from the general misery of air travel.

[NorseMan9]

Do any of you park your bike at your local airport? It's not for everyone, I'm sure, but I am quickly becoming a convert at LAX.

This past weekend I parked my 1150R at LAX. I'm sure there's a risk in leaving the bike minimally attended overnight in a public place like that, although Beemers are not generally the biggest theft targets.... It was SO COOL to be able to zoom to the airport in record time, park in the short-term lot (normally $30/day - yikes) for free, walk 50 paces to the terminal, and after returning home, jump back on the bike and be home while everyone else on the flight was probably still waiting for their shuttle to pick them up. As I rode away, I was thinking how this is way too cool for school!

The bike spent the weekend in good company with an RT and a Goldwing nearby as well as a random sportbike or two. It took a little, um, persuasion to get past the exit gate because the bars are at exactly the height of the gate, but it was okay. Anyway, I am looking forward to doing this again next week when I have to do an overnight business trip. It's also a good motivator to pack light. IMHO, it's great to have some two-wheeled relief from the general misery of air travel.

I've thought about this but I ride with full gear and traveling with an Aerostich suit doesn't appeal to me. what do you do with your equipment?

[pinecone]

Great idea, but I have one question. What do you do with all your riding gear? I can fit my helmet in one system case and my pants and gloves in another. But there's nowhere for my jacket & boots. And they're not exactly attractive enough for a business trip. Sounds tempting, though. It would be nice to avoid increasingly unpleasant cab drivers.

[Eqyn Dad]

I lived in Cincinnati for years and CVG had dedicated bike parking; which were traffic barriers configured to form a coral of sorts.

Unfortunately, it was on the upper dark in the extreme corner furthest away from the terminals...go figure. Price...same as a four wheeler.

[BMWChef]

When I lived in Glendale and flew out of LAX I would always ride. I would stuff my stich into the larger saddle bag and either carry my helmet on board or put it into a locker ( still cheaper than car parking). I wish the San Diego airport would set aside cycle parking.

Chef

[socalrob]

Ebet,

I know Burbank Airport has free bike parking. Its on first level of the parking structure next to the Valet Parking booth.

Where in LAX are you talking about, & is it really ok to weasel by the exit gate, or would they catch you if they could?

[cricman]

Parking a bike at DFW airport is the same as parking a car. Luckily, some of us who work at the airport are allowed to have 2 vehicles in the parking system and can park for free for 24 hours. The normal parking rate then begins to accumulate.

As far as dedicated parking, in the terminals, ALL vehicles must park in a marked parking space regardless of size or type. It's too bad, because for the space of 4 cars, you could park about 8 bikes, and free more spaces for full size cars.

The sad fact is that DFW, and a lot of other airports, are bicycle unfriendly. Making it almost impossible to commute to the airport by bicycle and save gas.

cricman

[leno]

Gatwich in the UK has free parking for bikes, I'm not sure about the others, Heathrow is a maybe but I'm not sure. I'm not sure about the 8 bike in the place of 4 cars. I would hope to get a lot more in the space than that.

[cricman]

In the UK and other parts of the motorcycling world, absolutely. In Texas, where a R1150r is a "small" bike, BIG is king and people love big displacement cruisers and tourers, 8 is comfortable- 10 tops. Because a bike is a car is a truck for DFW Airport Operations, it doesn't matter. I'll take my own full size space, since, in theory, it's paid for.

cricman

[Ebet]

Hi, guys:

Thanks for your posts. Glad to hear about the other airports you guys have parked at.

Regarding gear, I have Jesse cases and they can hold the Aerostich suit, boots, gloves with no problem. I have a Wunderlich seat bag that just fits a full-face helmet. I put a little padlock on the zipper. It's not that secure so I used my grungy old helmet instead of the newer one, just in case. I guess you could take the helmet along if you didn't mind carrying it. The locker idea is good too.

I am told that you can park anywhere at LAX for free with a motorcycle, including all the short-term lots. When I was leaving, the attendant verified that it was free but that he couldn't lift up the gate for me - I had to squeeze through. Apparently they appreciate it if you don't take up a parking space - don't know if they strictly require it or not. I saw several other bikes parked on the yellow-painted areas between the parking spaces, so I did the same.