Harassed by the Private Fuzz

[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

[pardes]

Update.

I called the President and CEO's office to get his email address. His secretary gave me his address and confirmed that Christiana Hospital does in fact have a "bicycles banned" policy. She hastily added, "but he SHOULDN'T have been rude!"

Good Grief, I was SURE the ban was a misunderstanding but apparently not.

So, I proceed forward with tons of more research.

[Mr. Bloom]

She hastily added, "but he SHOULDN'T have been rude!"

...but he was "well dressed"!

I'm shocked, but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they have a compelling need (in the presence of emergency vehicles) to keep kids on skateboards and bikes off the grounds...but to broadly apply that to commuters is a bit odd.

I would encourage you to directly involve the transit authority in this since they allow a bus stop that the hospital directly benefits from for employees and patient visits.

[Deborajen]

Was this anywhere near the emergency entrance for the hospital? It makes sense to minimize traffic there for ambulances, etc., but otherwise I don't see why in the world they'd want to ban bikes.

Any chance your doctor at that hospital is cyclist? Or maybe any of the others in the group (if it is a group)? You could always try mentioning this to your doctor. Sometimes the doctors have some pull - many of them serve on hospital committees, etc. They can put some pressure on a narrow-minded CEO.

[Becky]

Update.

I called the President and CEO's office to get his email address. His secretary gave me his address and confirmed that Christiana Hospital does in fact have a "bicycles banned" policy. She hastily added, "but he SHOULDN'T have been rude!"

Good Grief, I was SURE the ban was a misunderstanding but apparently not.

So, I proceed forward with tons of more research.

Geez, that's disappointing news indeed!

I have an appointment at one of their satellite campuses today, and a meeting at the main campus next week, both of which are bike-able from my house. I may have to explore this issue further while I'm there. Pardes, please keep us all posted, and thanks for your hard work!

[pardes]

And so it begins.....

This is my first approach. See my blog http://cloistervoices.blogspot.com/

Next, I'll be making an appointment with the CEO and going there on my little illegal bike.