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

[soprano]

I've used the drive-thru at my credit union many a time. The tellers seem to think that it's great. I will say, however, that I dislike standing in the fumes generated by the idling motorists.

Under the law, a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle. One would think that would be good enough for the bank.

[dex]

Under the law, a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle. One would think that would be good enough for the bank.

Keep in mind that a bank (or any business) is generally located on private property. And it's quite likely that their insurance policy only covers motorized vehicles in the drive-through.

[maillotpois]

I bet Dex is completely right. liability/insurance issue. you'd be surprised at the sort of claims that arise in drive throughs - we've seen some. crazy. a bike does "seem" more vulnerable than a car in that sort of setting, and I bet they've got an exclusion in their insurance policy.

[KBIKES]

I used the drivethrough on my bike at a bank numerous times before they said I couldn't do that. Just said I couldn't. This branch had a way of making it's own rules outside the parent corporate "rules". They said the Comptroller was in charge of liability. He basically said there was no insurance issue but couldn't understand the concept of riding a bike on a road of all places! Left that bank. The branch manager was fired and the bank no longer exists.

[Jolt]

I've ridden through the drive-through many times at my bank and nobody has ever had a problem with it. The only time anyone has commented on it at all was this past Saturday--the teller said "What's the gas mileage on that thing?", which was amusing (especially since that was the second such comment I had gotten that morning while out on errands). Maybe it just depends on the bank; this is a smaller local one. I certainly don't see any reason for it to be a problem unless it's an insurance thing (and even then it's pretty stupid).

[tulip]

Insurance is the reason. Many banks have an ATM on the sidewalk for pedestrians--will that work for you? Otherwise, I'd just bring my bike inside. Or bring a lock and lock it up outside.

[OakLeaf]

Use the drive-up ATM. It won't refuse to serve you.

If their insurance really had an exclusion, they'd post a sign (as they do in parking garages with the drop-down gates).

If they want to make an issue of it (charging one of their customers with trespassing, maybe? ) let them.

I use the drive-through at a national chain pharmacy all the time. If anyone has insurance issues, you know they do.