bike unfriendly workplace

[smilingcat]

Well just started work at a new place after 10month of unplanned hiatus. First week just finished and the warts are starting to appear. Ohh my and it's not even 12 mid night on Halloween...

I said something about checking with work about cycling to work in a thread about "plastic/styrofoam cups" at your work place.

Well they said I can lock my bike to a tree. :mad: :mad: Can't take it into the storage area cause I either have to go through the office hall way or through the lab. Well lab I can understand with the hazardous material around.

hmmm... this is a deduction of about 20 points.

No shower at the facility except for the emergency shower for chemical exposure another deduction, say 10 points.

they are not doing well with me... Who would have thought "Lock your bike onto a tree by the dumpastar!!"

oh when I hired in, I understood that on occasion, I would have to work overtime. Find out, they want me to work 9 hour work day every day. :mad: :mad: I've already get paid lot less than what I used to make about half as much and now they want to cut it down by another 12.5%. EEXXXCCCCUUUUSEEEEE MEEEE!!!!

But the deal breaker is the bike issue I think. Good thing I'm not so dependent on work. Think of going back into early retirement... And go riding. I think its good therapy. GO RIDE. Having the option really removes the stress. yippeee!!

but can you believe, "lock your bike onto a tree??" Have you heard such crazy thing?

oh BTW the place uses styrofoam cups.

[jessmarimba]

I fully support your decision! Total opposite here - my corporate office got bike racks despite the fact that the only way to get there involves a 6-lane highway during rush hour.

But you have to do what makes you happy, and it sounds like this place isn't a good fit. If you can be happier and still support yourself without that place - I'd be out of there in an instant!

Good luck!

(Oh and that 9-hour day thing, without advance notice? - not cool - they're stealing from you just as much as my company would say I was stealing if I left at 4 every day).

[Koronin]

If you don't need the work, then go for it. I could never even consider biking to work due to the type of work I do. I NEED the trunk of my car to haul stuff to and from stores. But the overtime without warning and everyday, yeah that would get to me real quick.

[lph]

ohh, that does not sound good, smilingcat. But are they really bike-unfirendly, or just clueless? Lots of people have bikes but don't use them much, and have no idea of how active cyclists live, get around, and what facilities are important to them. Is there any way you can explain all of the good reasons you bike, how your bike is equally valuable to you as a car is to someone who drives to work, and why locking it to a tree isn't a good option?

[bmccasland]

Sometimes I'd rather lock my bike to a tree, at least the tree isn't going anywhere. I've had a bike + rack stolen when I was in college.
OTOH if the tree is 3 feet around, then you can't even get your lock cable around it, the thought is a tad rediculous.

I thought according to labor laws they can't require you to work OT without paying you. Is it a salary position? Same pay for 40 hours or 48 hours?

[PamNY]

Tell them you should never lock a bike to a tree. It's illegal in some places, and can damage trees. Even if it's legal, it is poor form and sets a bad example. I try to avoid even leaning my bike against trees.

Good luck. I hope you can work something out. I agree that some explanation/discussion might help.

[colorisnt]

Wow. I am so sorry about this. I am glad to live in an area where bikes are pretty well accepted and where I worked for medicaid, everyone was pretty eco friendly and anti-car parking because of tickets downtown. So, I had a special room on our floor just for bikes. They wouldn't even here anything about parking it outside.

My Dad worked across the street, though, and they wanted him to park on a tree if he commutes, too! He refused and when you work in management you can throw a fit. He explained to them why A. that was illegal and B. how there was a storage area off the place by the ATM where he could park it. He's doing 10 hour days, too, and only commutes on weekends because that is the only time it is light enough now. I am guessing he is about your age. If only he would listen to "early retirement" or "part retirement and work for a nonforprofit where he can commute" we would be good. He's like me - a workaholic and will work until he physically can't anymore.

I would tell them that this is your way of transportation and you have to have a way to get to/from. If you had a car, would they make it so hard for you to park? No. You would have a parking spot. Maybe they just don't "get" it. That was the problem with Dad's work. None of them were very eco conscious (imagine bankers not being eco conscious!) and didn't understand commuting at all (most people in our town don't). And if you don't need the work or need this job but are still bored (like Dad), why not work for a charity or something? I worked for a non-forprofit (which assists Medicaid) this summer and it was the most rewarding thing ever. I did it for research, but I always learned something and helped a lot of people with my research and efforts to help with health reform and chronic illness.

Long post, I apologize, but I hope it helps you!

[jelee1311]

If you don't have to work,don't ,then you can ride all the time :) or you could find a job you really like.

[Jo-n-NY]

I commute on the Long Island Railroad to Manhattan. The LIRR is completely bike unfriendly. They had all bike lockers removed from railroad property. In my opinion a bike rack does not cut it as kids will be kids and bikes do get vandalized. Bringing a bike on the train, well only if you are riding for pleasure during the "off peak times" which we have done. Peak is a good chunk of the day during the work week. So we take advantage on the weekend which is also "off peak".

Long Island as a whole kind of stinks. None of the stores or strip of stores for that matter have bike racks. The cement pillars at the CVS drug store are so wide no chain and lock could fit around it. I had to lock my bike to the gate around the dumpster in the corner of the parking lot. It is like this all over, grocery store, anywhere to get errands done by bike. A complete shame.

[tulip]

The bike policy and the the fact that you don't have to work, combined with the fact that you are buying a house in Portland and your job is in LA would make my decision very easy! But only you can decide what to do.

Back in the good ole days, I was offered two very good jobs in the same week. One big deciding factor was the bike-friendliness of the places. One had a bike rack in the lobby and a commuter shower, and encouraged bike commuting. The other didn't have a clue about any bike policy, looked at me funny when I asked, and thought that maybe there was a shower somewhere in the basement, but that no one had ever asked about it.

You know which job I took!

Jo-in-NY, have you looked into getting a Tikit? If I were combining transit with biking on my commute, that's what I would get without hesitation.

[Biciclista]

I helped to change bike policy in my building. Because of my lobbying, we now have a great bike rack indoors. Previously we were told that the old rusty racks outdoors (which are great for our work bikes) would suffice. Enough of us with bikes each worth more than a grand complained. Now we are a model for the entire company. (our company has dozens and dozens of buildings)

but i don't mean to minimize, your workplace sounds like they're stuck in 1980!!

[shellkay1212]

Oh my. I had the same "lock your bike to a tree" conversation. Or the picnic tables. Uhhhh. NO. They wouldn't let us bring bikes in the building. I did the leg work and priced out the bike racks. Logisitics wanted to know how many people would be riding and how often. WHY does it matter???

(the kicker is...my company SELLS bike racks!!!!)

18 months after the battle began...we got a bike rack.

[tulip]

Oh my. I had the same "lock your bike to a tree" conversation. Or the picnic tables. Uhhhh. NO. They wouldn't let us bring bikes in the building. I did the leg work and priced out the bike racks. Logisitics wanted to know how many people would be riding and how often. WHY does it matter???

(the kicker is...my company SELLS bike racks!!!!)

18 months after the battle began...we got a bike rack.

!!!

[smilingcat]

The bike policy and the the fact that you don't have to work, combined with the fact that you are buying a house in Portland and your job is in LA would make my decision very easy! But only you can decide what to do.



LOL so true!!! But the extra cash is always welcome. I figure my house will sell pretty soon so when it closes, I will be moving without looking back.

Well the job is only temporary. Sure I will get one of their pressing project caught up and finished and they can move onto the next thing. Mean while, I'll just have to commute by car. Not only that, but the area, Oh my!! :eek: the drivers around there are just plain mad!! I think it would be much safer if I drove.

[blackhillsbiker]

My boss thinks I'm crazy for bike commuting but he lets me bring my bike into the prepress area behind my desk. Since I'm the only one working back there, it doesn't bother anyone. I have an outside door so I don't even need to bring it through the front office/customer area. I bought a mat from the hardware store so on cruddy days it doesn't leave puddles on the floor. A previous employee used to bring her bike in and leave it back by the loading area. There's currently too much stuff back there for that to be practical anymore. I'm just glad it is inside and safe.

Deb

[Bike Chick]

Too bad for you! I hope you can get it all worked out and, if not, you are in a position financially to be able to educate them and walk out the door. How stressful for you.

I'm the only one in my building that commutes by bike. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and says "I can't believe you rode 9 miles on a bike" while shaking their heads. However, nothing is said about me parking my bike in the hallway outside my office and for that, I'm grateful. We don't have shower facilities but I've become a pro at a T,P&A bath.

[Jo-n-NY]

Jo-in-NY, have you looked into getting a Tikit? If I were combining transit with biking on my commute, that's what I would get without hesitation.[/QUOTE]


Tulip, I have a bike permit that allows the bike on the train during "non peak" hours.

Although the station that I go to did not even have bike lockers, any station that did LIRR made the DOT remove them and put them on "town" property which could be blocks from the railroad station. Whatever negative things you hear about the LIRR you can believe it. I pay over $300 a month for this also which does include the subway once I am in Manhattan, but the cost will increase soon.

The Mayor of Manhattan has done wonderful things cycling wise in Manhattan. It is too bad he can't do anything with the LIRR and Long Island for that matter.

[ACG]

ohh, that does not sound good, smilingcat. But are they really bike-unfirendly, or just clueless? Lots of people have bikes but don't use them much, and have no idea of how active cyclists live, get around, and what facilities are important to them. Is there any way you can explain all of the good reasons you bike, how your bike is equally valuable to you as a car is to someone who drives to work, and why locking it to a tree isn't a good option?

Oh how right you are. I'm the paper cup/styrofoam office, still trying to get rid of all cups. Anyhoo. My suggestion look up on the city and county website where your employer is located. Some cities/counties have regs about providing space to place a bike, etc. Or provide discounts etc to employers that do. Is the owner of the building/property the same as your employer? Maybe they have something they can provide too. Weigh your options, if you can find another more bike freindly place, do it.

[jessmarimba]

Not to play devil's advocate here, but if you guys are talking about enclosed lockers I don't think they were removed from train stations to inconvenience cyclists. Most lockers are being removed from transportation hubs to remove temptation from terrorists (Amtrak stations once had public lockers available, too). That's likely why the LIRR ones are blocks from the station - still available, but not in a hugely populated public gathering place.

[tulip]

Tulip, I have a bike permit that allows the bike on the train during "non peak" hours.

Although the station that I go to did not even have bike lockers, any station that did LIRR made the DOT remove them and put them on "town" property which could be blocks from the railroad station. Whatever negative things you hear about the LIRR you can believe it. I pay over $300 a month for this also which does include the subway once I am in Manhattan, but the cost will increase soon.

The Mayor of Manhattan has done wonderful things cycling wise in Manhattan. It is too bad he can't do anything with the LIRR and Long Island for that matter.

If you had a Tikit, you could just bring the bike with you. It folds up small and is still very nice to ride. That's what I would do, but your situation might not match the Tikit.

[redrhodie]

If you had a Tikit, you could just bring the bike with you. It folds up small and is still very nice to ride. That's what I would do, but your situation might not match the Tikit.

I had to google Tikit. :o It's a folding bike. :) Now I know.

[lilly99]

How sad! I think workplaces should push the idea of cycling to work. it's got so many positive aspects. Really sad to see a workplace that try to make it harder for cyclists. :(

[Jo-n-NY]

Not to play devil's advocate here, but if you guys are talking about enclosed lockers I don't think they were removed from train stations to inconvenience cyclists. Most lockers are being removed from transportation hubs to remove temptation from terrorists (Amtrak stations once had public lockers available, too). That's likely why the LIRR ones are blocks from the station - still available, but not in a hugely populated public gathering place.

The reason they gave was they found homeless people residing in them. According to the DOT this was a false claim. It is would be very difficult for someone to get into these steel lockers. Even the key is for a round key, not a regular one. Although I do see and understand your explaination which makes sense. This was not the LIRR explaniation. They said homeless were residing in them which was a completely false claim according to the DOT. It is almost impossible to get into these steel lockers. Even the key that they use a round, not your regular key hole.

[Jo-n-NY]

I had to google Tikit. :o It's a folding bike. :) Now I know.

Ah ha!!! thanks, I should have done a search, lol. I thought of the idea and would invest in one if I did not work so far from Penn Station. They keep moving us all over the city. Then the LIRR are making cut backs and elminated and combined trains. Going and leaving work the train is filled with people standing in the doorways. I would feel bad having my bike take up space.

I will have to keep nudging the DOT to put up lockers in the town where my station is.

[tulip]

Just a thought: