Harassed by the Private Fuzz

[pardes]

Hi, Pardes! Congratulations on all that commuting. You're an inspiration!

I suggest you comb the hospital's website for all the "healthy lifestyle" advice they give, and the free programs they provide for the community that might relate to cycling. You know how all the hospitals have banned smoking and crow about it? I'm sure they're crowing about some exercise program or another. Maybe they're even bragging about "going green". You might find many opportunities to poke them a little, and get the hospital to at least make a public decision about bikes on their roadway.

Welcome back!
Karen

I feel an epistle coming on and you all KNOW how I love to write.

Lordy have I been combing the websites.....

It seems that in 2006 these particular security guards won the national "best dressed officer" contest.....

From Christiana Care mission statement:

Caring for Our Neighbors
Building a healthy community.
Christiana Care exists to take care of our neighbors in our community.

I guess that includes intimidating and harassing seniors on bicycles.

Ironically, it was this very hospital that inspired me to take bicycling seriously as a way to reclaim my failing heath 14 months ago. They have a "heart walk" around the perimeter of the hospital and it's a pleasant walk around ponds and geese and away from traffic.

But alas, with severe arthritis I couldn't walk it. But magically there was a bicycle store across the road and the rest is history.

So that is one reason this all upset me so much. I LOVE the hospital grounds and have spent a lot of time on the MUP "heart walk" gaining biking strength which led to ditching the car and being very healthy these days.

I will be sure to add this to the letter of complaint as well about the fact that I frequently stop at the outside memorial wall for newborn babies that died. On the other side of the pond from the memorial wall is the new Helen Graham Cancer Center and I've often stopped to say a Rosary for the babies and those fighting their way through cancer.

You may remember a post I put here with photos about the memorial wall.

Can you imagine the CEO of the hospital reading about a gray-haired lady on a bike saying Rosaries for patients and THEN being harassed by their security guard. Now that's a media nightmare.

I love it. And I'll pile it on VERY thick. SHAME on them!

[channlluv]

That security guard stands no chance with a letter like that. He probably ought to dust off his resume. Write on! And welcome back, too!

Roxy

[witeowl]

Ironically, it was this very hospital that inspired me to take bicycling seriously as a way to reclaim my failing heath 14 months ago. They have a "heart walk" around the perimeter of the hospital and it's a pleasant walk around ponds and geese and away from traffic.

Yeah, I was just thinking that you should push this point. When you write a letter to your newspaper and/or contact the local news station, make sure that you point out that this hospital, which should be promoting healthful lifestyles, is not bike-friendly.

I can hear the soundbite now. Cue music and anchorperson:
"Is your hospital trying to drum up business by preventing local citizens from living healthy lives?"

[Becky]

This would be the hospital with the giant signs at each driveway, proclaiming that their campus is smoke-free as a means of promoting better health

On one hand, it is private property, and they can do what they please. On the other hand, it contains a public bus stop, and said buses have bike racks on them....ergo.... I have appointments and meetings at that hospital, and it irritates me that they would deny me the right to ride my bike there should I ever choose to. Though it may explain why I've never found a bike rack there.

I do have to wonder if in fact it's a hospital policy, or if the guard was mistaken. I think I'd ask to see it in writing Like the others have said, a bit of well-placed publicity should clear up this nonsense.

[tulip]

The security guard was probably just doing his job the best way he knew how. He's likely a low-paid employee of a private contractor that has a blanket how-to manual for all of their clients. He saw a bike and figured he'd get to show off his skills to his employer, perhaps for a raise...

Hopefully this will spark some much-needed education of the security contractor and the employees. I'd hate to see the guy lose his job. Next time, perhaps he'll give you a nice wave.

[bmccasland]

Welcome back Pardes! You go girl! We await the news of your biking to catch the bus.

[OakLeaf]

WB Pardes! Great to see you.

Smack 'em upside the head.

[shootingstar]

Welcome back pardes. I'm sure you'll handle this problem in style.

[shootingstar]

Would be interesting to know if there are any hospital employees that bike to work... . Does the ban extend to them??

[7rider]

It seems illogical that a hospital would ban bicycles, but you never know what some insurance company comes up with in it's tables (hmmmm...yeah, cyclists have accidents and get sent to emergency rooms....but so do motorists!). And since it's private property, they can do what they choose.
Still...a sign so stating their policy would be nice. Then, you can hold up a picture of that for public scoffing that a HOSPITAL would ban bicycles.
Also, I'd take issue with the fact that PUBLIC transportation is servicing PRIVATE property....a private property that bans a legal and legitimate form of transportation. I don't imagine that the local mall or shopping plaza would have a similar ban and still have PUBLIC transportation drop folks off at their front door.

[pardes]

The security guard was probably just doing his job the best way he knew how. He's likely a low-paid employee of a private contractor that has a blanket how-to manual for all of their clients. He saw a bike and figured he'd get to show off his skills to his employer, perhaps for a raise...

Hopefully this will spark some much-needed education of the security contractor and the employees. I'd hate to see the guy lose his job. Next time, perhaps he'll give you a nice wave.

Actually that is not the case. These are "Constables" trained and accredited by the Delaware State Police Troop 6. They are well-trained (apparently in everything but manners) with the same rights and privileges of State Troopers.

[spokewench]

I would start with polite but disappointed calls and letters to the hospital administration. Then, I would do more, i.e. the peaceful bike in or something of that nature.

[spazzdog]

Or a very eloquent letter to the editor of the local newspaper, mentioning of course the oddity of barring cyclists, especially those trying to access public transportation... in these times of high gas prices, global warming, etc.

Nothing like a little bad publicity

spazz