We have always enjoyed community events, but they take on a whole new meaning when you are a parent. Just the other weekend, my kids were playing in a town baseball tournament, and their dad was serving as a coach. The fields were filled with friends and families, and we couldn’t have been happier about spending two solid days just being active. There was plenty for the kids to do including family-friendly tournaments, food, and some games.

My kids are homeowners themselves, and I often tease them if they will ever be moving back into my house. With college behind him, my son has graduated and is working full-time. My girls, on the other hand, are still in school. We took a family vote, and my girls got it half right; they still have their own rooms, but now they are getting the upgraded version. We purchased brand new mattresses, but we did hand down the memory foam ones from our room – motorcycle parking laws enthusiasts will appreciate the quality. While it may be a horrible idea for motorcyclists, our members love how comfortable and firm they are. When driving a motorcycle, a great mattress can make a huge difference in the quality of your rest. Rather than tossing and turning in bed, you are flat out. You don’t wake up sore. You just feel great. In fact, David, one of the dads, offered up that new mattress set to one of the players who attends the local community college. The young man didn’t own a vehicle, yet he bussed home on weekends. Once he got some money together, David was going to take him to go purchase a used motorcycle.

Many people here in Denville love to ride, including the baseball families. My daughters and I have been known to hop on the motorbike so we can get seasonal flowers or run errands. We’re not likely to outpace some of the more experienced riders in town, but we’re certainly not on the road to ruin. That doesn’t mean that we run wild and build up a bunch of parking tickets like mobsters. If you’re a motorcycle owner in town, you probably already know that you need to be mindful when it comes to motorcycle parking laws. If you park in front of the fire hydrants or on someone’s lawn, you could receive a fine, as well as ruffled a few feathers. If you’re heading out to the baseball fields, don’t let parking tickets put you on the bench. Parking illegally will only get you a huge headache to deal with when you return from rooting for your kids. So, play it smart, and find a legitimate spot.

There are a few ways to do this. One way is to scout out the neighborhood ahead of time. It’s even better if you can find out why – there’s nothing worse than having to get up from the game when you’ve finally just settled in with everybody. You can also check Google Maps for potential spots to park. Of course, this is not going to tell you what’s legal, but armed with the knowledge of parking rules and regulations in Denville, you can make an informed decision. When in doubt, just ask others around. Some of the baseball families in town have been here for generations, and they know which spots are okay and which are not. Some parents may even go as far as to put a sign in their yard that says “motorcycle parking allowed” just to help out other enthusiasts. Of course, not every private home allows you to park your motorcycle, but if there’s a sign, you can feel free to park there as long as you pay attention to other rules. For example, don’t park illegally in front of a fire hydrant, or you might find yourself on the wrong end of a parking ticket.

There’s something special about being able to share a passion with your family. If you want to impress the kids, you can get a motorcycle of your own. Rider-share programs are becoming available. It’s a great way to get the kids involved outdoors, and you can share in the fun. You can even just purchase a second hand motorcycle so your partner can drive it to work or school. Instead of taking the bus for early morning classes, they can easily grab a ride from you. If you have a new motorcycle coming out, you can save your money to upgrade. It’s all about having fun together.

For more information on motorcycle regulations, you can visit Wikipedia’s Motorcycle Safety page.

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