I commuted in to work today, it was rainy but Dh and I decided we wanted to do it so we did (he rides with me in and then rides home). We have a holiday dinner tonight and it's supposed to thunderstorm later, so this was the only chance we had to ride. It was a good ride, rainy, but OK. Here is my problem though.

My company doesn't have bike lockers. All they have is this....




That is literally it, just one sad bike rack. I don't like to leave my nice bike outside, exposed to the elements, easy to steal, so I bring it in. I have 3 empty cubes next to me, so it really isn't a big deal. Well, not a big deal to me at least.....

Security thinks otherwise. They let me bring it in today (I didn't even bring a lock) but said in the future I'll have to leave it outside. I had it parked outside the women's locker room and asked if I could leave it there while I showered and they said I had to take it to my cube immediately because they didn't want other people to see, starting a trend in people riding in to work and thinking they can bring their bike inside. Nice. They also mentioned they had another person recently who they told the same thing to (could bring it in just this once).

Anway, I really don't like leaving my bike outside knowing how easy it is to steal a bike and being exposed to the elements. Honestly, this is a HUGE deterrant to me for commuting. I guess I'll do it on nice sunny days, but if there is any chance or rain, no way! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach my company about bike lockers? That pathetic rack NEVER has a bike attached, so I'm afraid they will respond that 1) no one commutes to begin with and 2) the rack is sufficient (a security camera CAN pan over it, though I doubt it's ever checked).

Everyone I know who bikes to work here (there aren't many) will sneak their bikes places (hidden in a stail well, left in their car trunk if it's here, left in the cube, etc). Everyone who is serious about cycling hates to use those stupid racks. So, how should I address this???

The other information I should tell you is I work in automotive for a major car maker. Going the environmental route will not work! They want us to drive, not bike to work. although they do support staying in shape, eating healthy, etc. We have a fitness center and locker room, so obviously they understand the benefits of exercise. I just don't know how to convince them of the benefits of a locker verse that rack.