Rant -- "Bank Drive-thru is for motorized vehicles only!"

...must chime in...

first of all, not all drive throughs are busy, bumper to bumper, whatever, except during peak hours ( friday pm, late)

second, I find it absolutely ludicrous in this day and age when businesses don't support cyclists. If it were me, I'd have a little chat with the manager, and possible take my business elsewhere, mainly to a business that did support cycling.

FWIW, I bank at a local Wells Fargo, use my bike at the drive up all the time, and have never had a problem. They let me bring it in the lobby too.

I have to say I would feel fairly unsafe waiting on a bicycle in a tight line at a drive through between two idling cars. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.... :(

In any case, by coincidence, I was at my bank today (drove there) and found the manager standing next to me talking to a teller. I said cheerfully "So when are you getting a bike rack installed out front?"
He brightened up and said "You know, that's a great idea, there have been lots of customers coming in by bike lately! Are they expensive?" I gave him a little info (I've been gathering it up anyway in preparation for asking for more bike racks in the village on Main St) and he said he would contact his contractors and try to start the process. :D I was very pleased by his positive reaction.

I'll be happy to have more bike racks in the right places, making our town more bike friendly overall.

I personally would like to see all drive-through lanes changed to nice shady spots with a walk-up window, a bike rack and a coffee/ice cream cart.

See if he'll do that.:)

Since it's not an issue at my bank (because we offer walk-ups and bike racks), I had to research the issue a bit more.

Insurance policies do not generally address bicycles specifically.

However, they have general provisions to mitigate avoidable hazards.

While we are focused on the hazard associated with cars in the queue, the actual perceived hazard in drive throughs is OIL...It was interesting that the hazard is perceived by the insurers as being equal to walk-ups, and any two wheeled vehicles - including motorcycles.

Interestingly, we would serve someone who walked/rode up to the drive through...but we have a very regular clean-up program for oil in the lane;) We're also the first in the entire city to have the sidewalks cleared of snow in the winter:D

So, that's the rest of the story. It is insurance driven in a general sense...but more driven by laziness in cleaning up the oil...

Starbucks refused to serve me in the drive-up lane. I was at the window after waiting in line, and was told then that they don't serve bikes. No sign before hand. I would have to park my bike and come into the shop.

So I went across the street to the LCS (local coffee stand) and did my part to support local businesses. They were quite willing to serve me on my bike, and gave me a discount when I told them about my Starbucks experience.

(ok, ignore the fact that Starbucks was a local Seattle company in the beginning, and the fact that I own ONE ENTIRE SHARE of stock in Starbucks)

My bank, on the other hand, has no issues at all with bikes or pedestrians. I've banked through the drive-up in my car, on my bike, and on foot.

Ah, ha! Thanks for following up, Mr. Silver.

I still think all drive-thru's should be converted to nice, shady rest spots with ice cream and coffee stands with a walk-up windows only.

I decided to give it a try the other day at my local bank. Pedaled up to the drivethru and the woman happily greeted me and took care of my banking for me. Thumbs up to Webster Bank!!

I agree on the oil hazard. That's much more worrisome than cars at my credit union. So it's laziness, eh? Good to know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomOnBike

I agree on the oil hazard. That's much more worrisome than cars at my credit union. So it's laziness, eh? Good to know.

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Keep in mind that concrete is more easily cleaned than asphalt. Most fast food drive throughs are asphalt. So, it may not be just laziness, but also practicality.

When I use the drive-thru and a pooch is in the truck the teller will give her a dog biscuit:)
Anywhere is too far from here to use the drive up while on my bike :(

Oh, it's concrete, all right, under a roof-thingy. And hasn't been cleaned in years, I'd bet, now that you point it out. It's bad enought when it's dry, but that oil spot is deadly when rain blows in.

I've learned to avoid it, but I really don't like the hazard there.