Were they unreasonable to give me a ticket?

[ApignamedJasper]

Genuinely unsure as I'm fairly new to being on the road and have never had a ticket before!

I was going to a seminar in the evening in a town about 12 miles from where I live. On the way I got a flat tyre (motorbike) but just managed to make it to the town where the seminar was as I had friends at the seminar who I hoped could help me fix it.

Unfortunately we couldn't fix it and I had to leave the bike in the car park overnight. I was parked in a car space but since the car park was quite small and very full when I got there, and there was no clear space designated for bikes, I thought it would be ok in the space. I left a note on the bike to say I had broken down and would be back the next day to pick it up. Tyre was very obviously, completely flat.

I got given a ticket for failing to buy a car parking ticket but a) motorbikes park for free and b) I had no way to attaching a ticket to my bike. Wtbu to give me a ticket for this or should I just pay the ticket? Is it worth contesting it?

Definitely worth trying to appeal if it's a council run car park. My dad left his ticket upside down and they let him off the fine when he explained.

Somewhere, I attached the note by putting it under the seat but it could easily have blown away or been pulled out, a ticket wouldn't even have been visable if I put it there and someone could have easily taken it.

My tyre was extremely flat, it would have been dangerous and damage my bike to drive around looking for another car park that had bike spaces.

Pantah, yes it is a tubed tyre. I know I shouldn't have really ridden on it but by the time I realised it was flat I was almost there and miles from home.

I know it's not really an excuse but I really didn't want to pay £££ that I really can't afford to have it recovered when DP is a mechanic and his boss has a recovery truck that I used the following day to get it home for free.

The ticket was for not having a ticket Sunshine :)

Jingle, bikes park for free everywhere as far as I know, unless it specifically state they aren't. I did pay for a car park with an attendant in a seaside town once for half price but generally bikes are free. There is normally designated spaces for them though so they don't take up car spaces but in this case there weren't any so I didn't have much choice.

I think you can either park for free or you can take up a real space but you can't have both.

I don't think an appeal will get you anywhere.

You can buy one of these for bikes or convertibles

Is it a parking ticket or is it a parking fine? Tickets are from the council, fines from private firms. Either way I would appeal. Have a look on the Martin Lewis Money Saving expert website to find the right template.

doesitreallymatter

I didn't know such things existed, I've often thought of trying to make something but will just buy one of those now!! (Although, never had to pay to park my bike yet - but just in case!!)

iknow if you're ever on the South Coast and visiting West Bay you'll need one then

It does seem frustrating, but then if there were no car spaces left and a car driver decided to park in the motorcycle bay, I would expect them to get a ticket for being an obstruction, so logically it should go both ways.

Worth trying an appeal though!