bike unfriendly workplace

[lph]

ohh, that does not sound good, smilingcat. But are they really bike-unfirendly, or just clueless? Lots of people have bikes but don't use them much, and have no idea of how active cyclists live, get around, and what facilities are important to them. Is there any way you can explain all of the good reasons you bike, how your bike is equally valuable to you as a car is to someone who drives to work, and why locking it to a tree isn't a good option?

[bmccasland]

Sometimes I'd rather lock my bike to a tree, at least the tree isn't going anywhere. I've had a bike + rack stolen when I was in college.
OTOH if the tree is 3 feet around, then you can't even get your lock cable around it, the thought is a tad rediculous.

I thought according to labor laws they can't require you to work OT without paying you. Is it a salary position? Same pay for 40 hours or 48 hours?

[PamNY]

Tell them you should never lock a bike to a tree. It's illegal in some places, and can damage trees. Even if it's legal, it is poor form and sets a bad example. I try to avoid even leaning my bike against trees.

Good luck. I hope you can work something out. I agree that some explanation/discussion might help.

[colorisnt]

Wow. I am so sorry about this. I am glad to live in an area where bikes are pretty well accepted and where I worked for medicaid, everyone was pretty eco friendly and anti-car parking because of tickets downtown. So, I had a special room on our floor just for bikes. They wouldn't even here anything about parking it outside.

My Dad worked across the street, though, and they wanted him to park on a tree if he commutes, too! He refused and when you work in management you can throw a fit. He explained to them why A. that was illegal and B. how there was a storage area off the place by the ATM where he could park it. He's doing 10 hour days, too, and only commutes on weekends because that is the only time it is light enough now. I am guessing he is about your age. If only he would listen to "early retirement" or "part retirement and work for a nonforprofit where he can commute" we would be good. He's like me - a workaholic and will work until he physically can't anymore.

I would tell them that this is your way of transportation and you have to have a way to get to/from. If you had a car, would they make it so hard for you to park? No. You would have a parking spot. Maybe they just don't "get" it. That was the problem with Dad's work. None of them were very eco conscious (imagine bankers not being eco conscious!) and didn't understand commuting at all (most people in our town don't). And if you don't need the work or need this job but are still bored (like Dad), why not work for a charity or something? I worked for a non-forprofit (which assists Medicaid) this summer and it was the most rewarding thing ever. I did it for research, but I always learned something and helped a lot of people with my research and efforts to help with health reform and chronic illness.

Long post, I apologize, but I hope it helps you!

[ACG]

ohh, that does not sound good, smilingcat. But are they really bike-unfirendly, or just clueless? Lots of people have bikes but don't use them much, and have no idea of how active cyclists live, get around, and what facilities are important to them. Is there any way you can explain all of the good reasons you bike, how your bike is equally valuable to you as a car is to someone who drives to work, and why locking it to a tree isn't a good option?

Oh how right you are. I'm the paper cup/styrofoam office, still trying to get rid of all cups. Anyhoo. My suggestion look up on the city and county website where your employer is located. Some cities/counties have regs about providing space to place a bike, etc. Or provide discounts etc to employers that do. Is the owner of the building/property the same as your employer? Maybe they have something they can provide too. Weigh your options, if you can find another more bike freindly place, do it.

[jessmarimba]

Not to play devil's advocate here, but if you guys are talking about enclosed lockers I don't think they were removed from train stations to inconvenience cyclists. Most lockers are being removed from transportation hubs to remove temptation from terrorists (Amtrak stations once had public lockers available, too). That's likely why the LIRR ones are blocks from the station - still available, but not in a hugely populated public gathering place.

[Jo-n-NY]

Not to play devil's advocate here, but if you guys are talking about enclosed lockers I don't think they were removed from train stations to inconvenience cyclists. Most lockers are being removed from transportation hubs to remove temptation from terrorists (Amtrak stations once had public lockers available, too). That's likely why the LIRR ones are blocks from the station - still available, but not in a hugely populated public gathering place.

The reason they gave was they found homeless people residing in them. According to the DOT this was a false claim. It is would be very difficult for someone to get into these steel lockers. Even the key is for a round key, not a regular one. Although I do see and understand your explaination which makes sense. This was not the LIRR explaniation. They said homeless were residing in them which was a completely false claim according to the DOT. It is almost impossible to get into these steel lockers. Even the key that they use a round, not your regular key hole.