Night parking of a motorcycle near a pedestrian crossing and a bus stop
Pavel rides home at 23:30 on a dry summer night and finds no space in his courtyard. He considers three options on a two-way street with a 50 km/h limit. Option A: on the right-hand edge, 3 m before a marked pedestrian crossing, where the kerb is not marked with a yellow line and there is a street lamp. Option B: in a marked bus stop bay, between the stop sign and the shelter, where a bus is not due until 06:00. Option C: on the left-hand side facing against the traffic direction, next to a row of parked cars, 15 m after the crossing. The street is level, visibility is good, and there is no sign prohibiting stopping.
1. Evaluate each option against the stopping and parking rules.
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Option A is unlawful: stopping and parking are prohibited closer than 5 m before a pedestrian crossing, because a vehicle there hides pedestrians from approaching drivers. At 3 m Pavel would also block the view of the crossing at night. Option B is unlawful: bus stop bays and the area within 15 m of the stop sign on each side are reserved for route vehicles, and parking there obstructs boarding even at night. Option C is unlawful too: on a two-way road, parking on the left side facing against traffic means the motorcycle is positioned for oncoming flow and its lights and reflectors face the wrong way. The correct choice is none of these; Pavel must find a legal space, for example along the right edge more than 5 m after the crossing and clear of the bus stop zone.
2. If Pavel parks legally at the kerb, what must he do so the motorcycle is visible at night and does not become a hazard?
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He should park parallel to the kerb, as close to the edge as practicable, with the rear reflector and any parking light facing following traffic. If the machine has no parking light, he should choose a lit spot and avoid unlit stretches. He must not leave it on the roadway where it narrows the lane, must not block the footway for pedestrians, and should secure it against tipping. He should also take the key and any loose equipment, and check that the stand is on firm ground so the bike does not fall into the carriageway.
3. Pavel decides to leave the bike and walk. What duties remain if he later sees that the motorcycle has rolled and is blocking part of the lane?
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He must move it out of the traffic lane immediately if he can, or otherwise warn approaching drivers. A fallen motorcycle in a 50 km/h street at night is a serious hazard: he should switch on hazard lights if fitted, place a warning triangle behind it at the prescribed distance, and call the police if it cannot be moved. He must not simply walk away, because leaving an obstruction on the carriageway creates liability if another road user is harmed.