Miraclefish's excellent post reminded me...
The day dawned when the city parking system changed completely. No longer did we have Traffic Wardens; we had Community Parking Officers, or somesuch. No obvious difference, except the uniforms were now trimmed in green rather than yellow. And they'd promised us a kinder, gentler approach to issuing enormous parking fines.

Didn't pay much attention myself, as I rode a motorbike. I parked between two cars, who were parked in metered bays but had left a wide gap between themselves. I checked that I hadn't made it difficult for either of them to get out, then wandered off.

Up ahead, I saw two shiny new Parking Assistance Operatives, or whatever they were called. I reasoned that they might be hyper-keen, this being the first day and all, so I greeted them with a cheery smile, and enquired whether my parking was up to snuff. Might as well find out the attitude to bikers that I'd have to deal with from now on, in case it was unexpectedly draconian.

"Don't tell anyone," said the becapped ticket-sensei, "But we're not allowed to touch motorcycles. You can park where you like, it's not worth the hassle for us."

And from that day on, I did!
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:21, 6 replies)

As a recent movee to Richmond borough
I have also learned this. Bikes are officially allowed to park ANYWHERE bar double-yellows as long as they park perpendicular to the kerb.

This satisfies both my OCD (if it's not a right angle, it's a wrong angle) and my desire not to pay for parking.

Win.
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:25, closed)

Haha "Helmet: check. Gloves: check. Protractor: check"...

(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:37, closed)

What they really should have said was perpendicular to the parking spot.
If the bays are in line with the road, it works. If they're at 90 degrees, parking perp to the kerb uses far more space.

In your face, Richmond and district!
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:42, closed)

Is this official?
Is that Richmond Surrey, Yorkshire or er, Virginia?

Would explain something. Where I live, in Kew (near Richmond), there is almost always one or other of the pay and display spaces full of bikes. I have never parked in it unless there is another bike there first, but nobody buys a ticket, and I have never got or seen anyone else get a penalty for it.
( Not Pineapple anymore, Tue 15 Feb 2011, 10:56, closed)

Richmond, Surrey
Motorcycle Parking
On-Street Parking Places

Motorcycles can park in the following parking places at any time:

* Residents' parking bays in Controlled Parking Zones without a residents' permit
* Voucher bays without payment
* Pay and Display bays without payment
* Shared use bays within Controlled Parking Zones (i.e. a combination of residents', voucher and pay and display).

Motorcycles parking in the above bays should be positioned at right angles to the kerb so that they take up minimum space and do not obstruct other vehicles from entering the bay.

www.richmond.gov.uk/home/transport_and_streets/motor_vehicles_roads_and_parking/parking/parking_bays/content-parking_motorcycle_parking.htm
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Tue 15 Feb 2011, 13:16, closed)

Cambridge
Pay and Display bays are OK - no p+d ticket needed for motorbikes.
Resident Bays - Motorbikes need valid permits.
Double Yellow lines are a no. Single Yellow depending on plate.
Loading Bays/Taxi/Bus stops - no.

Just thought that you might like to know.
( The_Commander_of_Skips wears his sunglasses at night, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 20:44, closed)