CliffordK

Yes,
Women could easily take their wallet and phone out of their purse and leave the purses locked to the bike rack too.

kickstart

I'm willing to bet cyclists represent a tiny percentage of those effected. Pedestrians, those using public transit, large shopping centers and malls where people patronize more than one store before returning to their vehicle.

Its a people issue, not a mode issue.

ModeratedUser

I'm betting you never used a Camelback? The only time I take my bladder out is when it's empty. There is a few items at the bottom of the compartment of the bladder area, but that is for emergencies. In reality it's very seldom I'm taking it out, other than cause it's empty. Even if I do everything you mentioned. I'd STILL will be told to surrender the pack and the security would STILL have done their half-fast job of "securing" the items.

In reality if I was a ped getting around with my day to day activates I still be strapped on with a Camelback! To put it terms you would understand, THAT'S MY TRUNK.

Your analogy of an EE/A cup is rather comical. So are you saying females with A cup breasts have nothing to offer? I think there's plenty that would disagree with that view!

ModeratedUser

Another thing that readers seem to not be able to comprehend, I know that I was able to turn around and leave the store, but the security had reassured me that it will be "fine". Yes it was "fine", but not due to some expert watchmanship (made up word), but LUCK. Which if I didn't have a bit of luck that day, I would have been facing a far bigger battle than giving something up with documentation and having it disappear.

JoeyBike

Lots of things COULD have happened that day. You could have awakened with a splitting headache and stayed home. You could have caught a puncture and spent your shopping time fixing the flat. You could have met a pretty girl and gone for a burger instead of the store. You could have hit some gravel and got some road rash.....and the pack COULD have disappeared. BUT.....

Nothing happened. You went shopping, security made you check your bag, and when you went back the bag was still there but you were delayed because security was taking a lap around the store. Then you retrieved your bag and went about your business.

You woulda-shoulda-coulda had a a story if the bag had been pinched. Now you just have 5 pages of drool on BikeForums.

CliffordK

It depends on the store.

There seem to be quite a few cyclists that show up at the local bike co-op which requires packs to be left on a shelf near the door.

kickstart

Well you got me there.

YMMV

ModeratedUser

Yeah I tend to look out for my things BEFORE they get stolen, not wait for them to get stolen then worry about what went wrong. My bad, I guess the American way is just let things go and replace it with a brand spanking new item! Bigger, better, faster!

Thank you for your drool contribution.

bmthom.gis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJl3ZAg6mj0

Gresp15C

Oddly enough, I take a backpack into stores all the time. Not when I'm on my bike, because my bike has a large basket, but when I'm on foot. I live within walking distance of shops. The supermarket has a sign instructing customers to leave their bags at the service desk, but nobody has ever bothered me, even the security guards standing near the entrance at night.

It's in an area where there are lots of cyclists, pedestrians, public transit, etc. The bike racks are usually full, and there's a "city bike" station at the supermarket. The stores also have competition -- two large supermarkets plus a Whole Foods within a couple blocks of one another.

From what I've read, most shoplifting is committed, or abetted, by employees. If you're ever in a WalMart, you'll notice that most of the security cameras are above the check-out lines.

kickstart

I deliver to many retailers and their security varies from store to store, and by retailer. By far the worst is Amazon, their security is like what one would expect at an airport or prison.

Gresp15C

Invention idea: Hydration system that looks like a purse.

canklecat

Yup. When I was a federal safety inspector my contacts at retail, wholesale and warehouse businesses were often loss prevention specialists who wore multiple hats: generalized liability issues including employee safety, customer safety, fire prevention, etc.; and theft prevention. Every one of 'em said theft by employees was the biggest problem. In businesses with small profit margins, such as grocery stores, it can put an independent store like a typical IGA out of business.

That's why employee applications for warehouse, wholesale and retail businesses are often hundreds of questions involving dozens of variations on the "Are you going to steal from us?" theme.

If theft by customers was even remotely as big a risk more retailers would assign security to every aisle.

canklecat

FWIW, I often carry camera gear everywhere, alternating between a waist bag and various shoulder bags. Occasionally some employee will tell me I need to check my gear or leave it in the car. Since I take the bus the latter isn't an option.

I ask them what their policy is for purses and diaper bags. If they say the policy is different for men with bags, I politely ask to speak to the manager. I often make the same offer: I'll let you look inside my bag as I enter and leave, but the bag stays with me. Usually that's acceptable. If not, I just leave.

Granted, that won't satisfy everyone, but I don't tote anything that I'd consider private so it works for me. About the only thing I might have that could be considered private might be medical records if I happen to be visiting the doctor that day, but I usually keep those in a closed envelope.

SactoDoug

Just tell them you are trans-gender and that the pack is your purse. If they have a problem with it, demand to speak to the store manager.

mconlonx

Alternately, carry something extremely personal, so that the manager or responsible party is very embarrassed for having looked in your bag...

CliffordK

You could, of course, make one strap detachable... so the bag hangs off the side, low enough for easy access.

I realize they can't watch everyone, although they can get good video cameras allowing one person to watch a dozen aisles with good post-analysis. However, it would seem that a purse hanging off the shoulder with easy access to the hand is a much greater risk than a backpack that is closed and squarely centered on the back... where it stays for the entire duration the person is in the store.

79pmooney

Wow! I spent decades of my life car free. I totally get where the OP is coming from. I have commuted 12 miles of hills each way on several of my commutes and 15 miles in wind on another. Doing those commutes on an upright would get old fast. And I am one who found the freedom of cycling when I gave up my upright and bought my first dropped handlebar bike 50 years ago. Riding at 13 mph? See my previous statement about the freedom I found riding. And no helmet! Now that would simplify things. I wouldn't be here.

Now I use WBs and panniers on my workhorse bikes, but I also have nice bikes and live a lot of my life riding them. I do business in stores that ask me to turn over my backpack (and panniers) where they put it/them under their counter or behind them so it is always in a safe place. No big deal for me to give it to them AND I know it is safe until I leave. Now this is in an area where there are a lot of car free bikers so many stores are familiar with the cycling life (and many have employees, sometimes owners that do not drive). I do not have an issue with the request to turn over backpacks. Now, not ensuring that what has been turned over is secure? That is 1) opening themselves up to a lawsuit and unwanted publicity and 2) (and far more important) is a clear statement that the customer doesn't matter. That both his feelings and his valuables are unimportant.

Panniers are a mixed blessing. I am fully aware when I am in a store and they are on my bike that the contents could disappear. I use Ortleibs. Taking them off and carrying them is easy (though sometimes they are loaded heavily) but that brings the same issues we are are talking here. Leaving them and someone could walk away with expensive panniers even if they are empty.

Ben

79pmooney

I can kinda see movie theater's policy. Very few semi-automatic weapons have been pulled out of ladies purses in movie theaters and multiple people dying.

Ben

wphamilton

Could be, but I think that they're more worried about sneaking in your own snacks and drinks.

Wilfred Laurier

fify

LesterOfPuppets

The most recent bag check implementation ramp-up is a result of the TN theater shooting in early August. Safety and security concerns are noted on the signs posted a couple of weeks ago in many theaters.

CliffordK

I could imagine searching bags for security in movie theaters or at sporting events, although the more difficult one makes mass shootings in one venue, it will just get pushed to a different venue. When will an X-Ray scanning system be implemented EVERYWHERE?

As far as shoplifting, apparently it is about equally committed between men and women (old and young). I was a bit surprised as women have significant access with their purses.

I wonder, however, what percent of cyclists walking into stores with the clickity-clack of cleated shoes are also shoplifters???

genec

Yup, I think that would get them to back off in a hurry...

kickstart

I don't remember where, but I once saw a door sign saying "no bike cleats".