Parking: got in trouble...

[Miranda]

Hello Ladies... I got in trouble on my ride today due to parking. I now realize more than one reason why I was wrong. I didn't mean to cause any harm. Hoping maybe you have some advice to share with similiar experiences.

I was trying to shave a higher traffic area off my ride from my home starting point. So, I parked in a church lot that was my route. Parked in the furthest space from the door to try not to be a problem. Ride went great. With shaving off some traffic stress miles and distance I was able to do some more hills, go futher in the more desirable less traffic area, etc.

Well, when I got back there was a note on the windshield. Grateful, the vehicle was still there hindsight. The church said that non-members are not covered for parking on their property, and don't do so without permission etc. The note had a phone # and Pastor's name. I'm planning on calling to apologize and thank him for not having me towed.

I have known other riders that use church lots for their ride starting points. I don't know if it's too much to ask the Pastor if I wrote a letter or something freeing them of property liability, maybe even a $ donation to the church (like a parking rental fee) if they would let me come back?

Thoughts?

Thanks
Miranda

[bboston88]

I know a lot of churches in my area accept donations fees so I'd suggest that to them.

[withm]

Occasionally I have run rides for my bike club and parking is always an issue for those that drive to the start. When we've expected more than a couple of cars, I have made a formal request at a local church to park in their lot, which has never been denied. But I ask every time, and never assume that it's ok. It's not an issue of having enough room for a couple extra cars, it's asking to park for approximatley xx cars for 3-4 hours. They always tell us which corner of the lot to use, and we are careful not to leave behind any trash or debris. So far they have been very willing to have us but looking from their point of view they have every right to refuse - and can always cite insurance if nothing else to dissuade us.

If you had a friend that was a member of that church, maybe they could put in a good word for you and your request.

Good luck.

[KnottedYet]

Today is Sunday.
Generally that's the day churches have multiple services, and often really need the full parking lot.

Perhaps if you asked what days they could let you park there, and asked what times you should stay away (so the parishoners can park) the church would be ok with it. (some churches have evening services mid-week, but since you're less likely to ride in the evening mid-week than you are on a Sunday morning like you did today, that probably won't matter too much)

My church doesn't mind folks using the lot, as long as it's not during those 3 hours on Sunday mornings. (it gets very crowded with the overlap between services)

ETA: yeah, and offering a donation for the privilege of parking there during times other than Sunday mornings would be a very nice gesture.

[mimitabby]

Never parked in a church lot. the only private property i ever park in for bike rides is mall lots; and like you did, out in the far corner of it.

[singletrackmind]

I wouldn't try anything on the church lot at the end of our street. No skateboarders, no bicyclists including neighborhood children even if there are no cars on the lot at all, no anything is allowed on their lot or they come out and threaten to call the police. We neighbors have had some major problems with this church and things are getting worse.
All I can say is I'll never move within almost seeing distance of a church again, certainly not a warehouse o' god like this one!

[Aggie_Ama]

I would suggest contacting the pastor since he left his number. Maybe if you call and explain why you are parking there and find out if it okay during non-service hours he will let you. A donation would be nice since they do have to maintain their lot.

Is there a school on your route? Most of the schools here do not mind people using their lots for parking on weekends, especially now that it is summer.

For commuting DH and I park at a large grocery store. So far there has not been an issue, but we park in the back of the lot where customers do not park. The employees park back there but they still have plenty of open slots.

[Mr. Bloom]

Just like different people have different personalities, Every church is different. Some are interested in outreach...others are internally focused (which is generally not a good model for a church...)

I wouldn't offer a donation for Sunday use. A good church is not in it for money. Fact is that Sunday is the "busy day" and they may simply have needed every space. I'd also be surprised if they made a big deal out of using it other days...if they did, that may tell me how I'd characterize the church. Matthew 10:8 commands us to "Freely Give".

Our last church spent $2million dollars to add on a health & fitness wing which we made available to the entire community for use - free of charge. The only requirement was that you sign a liability waiver. To our church, this was part of the mission - to challenge the stereotypical view of a church. We CAN'T change the message, but we can offer it in different ways that meet people where they are. We had to overcome the stereotypes set by bad churches... Just like we as cyclists have to be ambassadors to counteract the impact of rude cyclists...

I'm sure that many in this forum have had bad experiences with a church. I'm sorry that you've had these experiences, I cannot justify it, but I can say that there are good ones and bad ones...and just because the word "church" is in the name, doesn't mean that there mission is good.

[indysteel]

It certainly couldn't hurt to talk to the pastor. I agree with Mr. Silver that some churches don't seem to mind, while others do. When in doubt, ask for permission or park elsewhere. There's a church lot that some cyclists, including myself, use periodically. They're used to us and don't seem to care, but I wouldn't park there on Sunday. We often use church lots for our club rides, but we get express permission to do that--given the number of cars and liability issues.

When I first started riding, I often did a ride that was marked and maintained by a local bike shop. Instead of parking at the shop and having to cross a busy street, I would instead park in the adjacent neighborhood that is along the route. A homeowner spotted me once and asked only that I not park near his mailbox. Fair enough. A few months later, however, that same man approached me and told me that I'd been the topic of a recent HOA meeting. He'd been enlisted to inform me that I wasn't to park in the neighborhood--that the streets are for residents and their guests.

I was too stunned and tired to tell him to go jump!!!! The neighborhood isn't a gated community and last I checked, I'm free to park on a city street, even within a subdivision. It really burned me up that someone would be that petty. Plus, after having talked to the bike shop about the situation, we both agreed that the HOA was probably just a front and that it was really just this guy's beef with me. I haven't parked there since, but mostly because I don't do that route much anymore.

[smilingcat]

A few months later, however, that same man approached me and told me that I'd been the topic of a recent HOA meeting. He'd been enlisted to inform me that I wasn't to park in the neighborhood--that the streets are for residents and their guests.

It's not worth getting your car vandalized either. go else where. Also move your parking spot from time to time.

smilingcat

[Pedal Wench]

We have a ride that tons of cyclists do that starts at a church. When we're welcome, there's a sign that says, "Welcome Cyclists" and there's always a donation box in the lot, if the spirit moves you.

In general, we never park there on Sundays. Even if the lots empty when we get there, there's no way of knowing what's scheduled later in the day. We have seen signs on Saturdays that say, "No cyclist parking today" when they've had a special event.

[Geonz]

Give 'em a call just to touch base and apologize... and satisfy any curiosity about temperament
I parked my motorcycle at the church close to me ... to go to morning Mass. Yea, I had a note on it that I wasn't supposed to park there. I wrote back that she could chat with me - I'd be the one with the helmet.
I got an excuse instead of an apology back and reminded myself to remember how obnoxious that is next time I started to say "but I was just..."

[sundial]

Call the number, ask the pastor to forgive you and then enlighten him as to why you chose his parking lot. Perhaps he will become motivated to ride a bike when he learns you are a commuter. You never know what seeds you'll sow.

[Miranda]

Here's the latest update after calling the phone number on my windshield note today. It's a "no go" to park there anymore.

It was the Pastor that answered the church phone and I identified myself per his note. First, I apologized and said that I meant no harm. Next, I thanked him for not towing my vehicle. I explained my route struggles and said that his church local was perfect. I told him that I understood about the liability, but maybe I could sign a letter or note etc. if willing to let me return when they deemed the lot was free. He was very cordial, but not budging on the parking. I was about to offer the $ donation next, but since it seemed to be going no where, I just didn't.

This really bums me out in more ways than one. I have gotten kinda down about my cycling lately. Been board with my routes and trying to fight the busy roads to get to the good ones. This ride gave me an uplift. I just bought my first ever bike carrier rack so I could do exactly what I did this ride. In spending the $ on the rack, I thought, this will give me the freedom to explore new places that I could not normally ride to on my own. Mixing things up was a tip I read on here before, and it does help.

Well, my only other thought is to maybe figure out a different parking place on the route. I did think about the vandalism too. I took my mt bike to a new trail place recently as well. It's very isolated. Which is part of what makes it so beautiful to mt bike in. However, a couple things scared me that I should not be out there alone.

One, when loading my mt bike up, I noticed that there was shattered glass all over. Like a broken window. Yikes. I have my purse with me for the ID etc, but cover it with something in the vehicle. So, the comment in this thread about the neighborhood made me think of this.

There was a very odd hiker in the further point from the car. It just gave me a very weird vibe about him. I cordially said hello, and rode (as limitedly fast as I could on a rooty single track) away from him. The vibe told me it was time to get out of there. Then, as I approached the parking lot (bike rack on car, kinda obviously me, mtb chick) I had an erie feeling about loading up. That makes me think about parking places.

I must say though, it was so freeing being able to load my bike up on that rack. It's like my bike and I were on a school girl field trip. Goofy, I know, but maybe I'm not alone.

[smilingcat]

check with LBS (multiple) to find a route for your fun ride. And they might be able to help you find an alternate route for your commute.

And I too get really nervous to be out alone in an isolated places. If I'm with my friends or with a man its one thing but to be alone its a whoolleee another matter.

And don't get discouraged with the unfriendly church. It's his loss.

smilingcat