No Bike Rack? No Problem!

[smurfalicious]

OMG I actually found this on the consumerist and just about died. I hate Wal-Mart, but my broke *** loves cheap groceries. What can you do?

http://consumerist.com/5029679/disagree-with-walmarts-bike-policy-take-off-your-clothes-in-protest

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=444469

[Irulan]

Priceless.

[Blueberry]

How cool! Too bad it won't make any difference with Wal Mart. I do like the fact that all Target stores have (generally nice) bike racks...

CA

[Mr. Bloom]

I had a similar experience at the mall when I went to get a haircut. I didn't take any clothes off, but it was surreal debating the issue while standing next to a row of cars that they had driven in there for display...

[chutch]

I agree that they should have bike racks. But I don't understand why we should feel entitled to bring our bikes in stores?

I like the story and I think the rider made a good point because the managers reason for not allowing the bike inside didn't make any sense.

But still, we claim bikes are vehicles so shouldn't the vehicles stay in the parking lot? I don't see any reason why a person needs to take their bike in a store other than a bike shop. :confused:

[pll]

I agree that they should have bike racks. But I don't understand why we should feel entitled to bring our bikes in stores?

I like the story and I think the rider made a good point because the managers reason for not allowing the bike inside didn't make any sense.

But still, we claim bikes are vehicles so shouldn't the vehicles stay in the parking lot? I don't see any reason why a person needs to take their bike in a store other than a bike shop. :confused:

+1 on not agreeing with the sense of entitlement. No racks? Look for a place to lock, find someone to look after the bike, or leave. In my experience, there is always a place to lock within a couple of blocks to the entrance of a store. It does not have to be right next to the door.

I, too, found the argument somewhat humorous. However, I did not see the need to pick an argument with a store manager. They may have been given written policies and, if they have, I'm sure they do not come with explanations for argumentative customers.

[Irulan]

I agree that they should have bike racks. But I don't understand why we should feel entitled to bring our bikes in stores?

I like the story and I think the rider made a good point because the managers reason for not allowing the bike inside didn't make any sense.

But still, we claim bikes are vehicles so shouldn't the vehicles stay in the parking lot? I don't see any reason why a person needs to take their bike in a store other than a bike shop. :confused:

ah, but a safe place to park and lock your car is provided!!

I routinely ask if I can bring my bike inside if there's no bike parking. I take my bike into the bank, the hardware store, the video store and gently prop it against a non traffic wall. I most certainly would NEVER leave my high value bike parked/locked several blocks away - bike thieves are just too creative.


part of this is that store owners have just got to change the attitude of complete obliviousness to bikes as transport. More and more and more people are using bikes for errands and commuting, and you've got to provide a place for them. Surely with 1200 parking spaces, they can come up with a bike space or two?

[Flur]

I agree that a bike is a vehicle, but until they start making cars that can be picked up and carried away or ridden away without a key, the same rules will not apply. I don't see any reason to patronize a store that doesn't have a safe place to lock my bike. As consumers we vote with our pocketbooks, and as the price of gas rises stores will have to start accommodating cyclists or they will lose business.

[mimitabby]

I wouldn't call it a sense of entitlement, it's a sense of security! I don't WANT to drag my bike into the store; but if there's nowhere safe to leave it, what am i supposed to do?
it's not like it's a dog, it's not going to pee on anything. It's more like a wheel chair, only with less wheels.


This gal is great! I love her story!

[Tuckervill]

I had a hotel clerk try to get me to not bring my bike in my room. She said the wheels were dirty. I said they weren't any dirtier than my shoes. And the sign in the parking lot said "Take valuables with you".

Karen

[Boise Birder]

I agree that a bike is a vehicle, but until they start making cars that can be picked up and carried away or ridden away without a key, the same rules will not apply. I don't see any reason to patronize a store that doesn't have a safe place to lock my bike. As consumers we vote with our pocketbooks, and as the price of gas rises stores will have to start accommodating cyclists or they will lose business.

Let alone a Prius!

We are lucky enough to live in the US where choices are many and we have free speech.

Your vote counts outside the ballot box, with your dollar and your voice.

Loved the post!

[Chicken Little]

Any time you can stick it to those Walmart dudes, do it.

[PinkBike]

[QUOTE=pll;344982 However, I did not see the need to pick an argument with a store manager. They may have been given written policies and, if they have, I'm sure they do not come with explanations for argumentative customers.[/QUOTE]

it just really grates on me when someone says i cant bring my bike in to a place that has no bike rack. i doubt it's policy, i think the mgmt-of-the-day makes up the rule on the spot. i've dealt with it at the post office and the grocery store. i wanted to just park it in a little out-of-the-way place inside while i run in for just a sec. barney fife says no.

i WILL leave my bike outside if i can secure it, but i disagree with the idea that it should be treated like any other vehicle for all the reasons listed here already. and the question i have for the power-drunk mgr is "why" and you get a lot of just plain pitiful excuses.

[chutch]

Admittedly I have never encountered a situation where I couldn't find anywhere to lock my bike (either an actual bike rack or another structure) nor have I lived in an area with a lot of bike theft (very lucky, I know). So, my opinion is based on that and could certainly change should my fortunate situation ever change.

But, I do feel like we can't advocate that bikes be given the same rights as cars but then want "special treatment" at stores. Perhaps, instead of trying to cause a scene, we should explain our situation to managers of businesses and suggest alternatives and compromises. Then, if the business is not accommodating, we've taken the high road by proposing a compromise and they're being unreasonable which would gain more support than a cyclist causing a scene by stripping down.

[Irulan]

Admittedly I have never encountered a situation where I couldn't find anywhere to lock my bike (either an actual bike rack or another structure) nor have I lived in an area with a lot of bike theft (very lucky, I know). So, my opinion is based on that and could certainly change should my fortunate situation ever change.

But, I do feel like we can't advocate that bikes be given the same rights as cars but then want "special treatment" at stores. Perhaps, instead of trying to cause a scene, we should explain our situation to managers of businesses and suggest alternatives and compromises. Then, if the business is not accommodating, we've taken the high road by proposing a compromise and they're being unreasonable which would gain more support than a cyclist causing a scene by stripping down.

This may and can work with a locally owned business, but for an evil empire like Walmart, forget. Thier policy is most certainly not developed at the local level.

[chutch]

I just had a thought. The manager can only set policy and make changes to the store. The parking lot would be under the direction of the property owner- which, I think (not an expert), would be a property developer not the store owner/manager.... so that's who needs to be educated on the needs of cyclists....

[Flybye]

Pretty sharp gal. They sale thighs and buns at Wal-Mart, not to mention other parts. Just don't get too carried away with the logic. :)

[GLC1968]

I don't patronize Walmart if I can help it, but I do kind of see the manager's point.

As a former store manager, I often had to make judgement calls. Maybe this particular store had a lot of 'ninja' cyclists coming in and wanting to bring their bikes (walmart type bikes) into the store with them? The store has to draw the line somewhere. The average person can't tell the difference between a $600 commuter bike (or mtb or whatever this cyclist was riding) and a walmart bike. Neither can their cashiers. Maybe they have a problem with people walking in and then wheeling their bikes out of the store saying "I rode this in...it's mine"? I've certainly seen theives as bold as that (and bolder). With gas prices the way they are...it's possible that it's become a problem for them.

Of course, the simple answer is for them to get with the times and get a bike rack.