Deb

Two days ago I rode my bike to the drive up window at our local Walgreens, where I have been taking my business for years. I was ignored by the girl for about 10 minutes as she cleaned her keyboard. Finally another girl came to assist me. Yesterday I went to pick my prescription up and was again ignored this time by 6 people. One young man came to the window and said he couldn't serve me because I didn't have a motor on my bike. Then he called the manager. Who did give me my prescription but told me they don’t serve cyclists. I said so if I were in a motorized wheelchair it would be okay? If cyclists were an ethnic minority, I could sue on the grounds of discrimination, but as it is, I may just need to take my business to more bike-friendly places. My money is just as green as that of the guy in the Escalade behind me, and I am not polluting the air around the window with exhaust fumes. There is a sign at the window that says if we fail to give you a receipt we will pay $5.00. What about if they fail to be considerate and polite of their customers?

Comments?

Bander

Try going into the store and taking your clothes off.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/446561-reachhigher-s-wal-mart-story-made-consumerist-fark-com.html

Indie

Drama-mongering aside, write to the management and explain to them why their policy is a problem -- leaving a bike parked outside a store while you go inside is riskier than leaving a car parked outside, because of security concerns. Ask them what their reasons are for having the policy in the first place, and tell them that you'll be looking for a different pharmacy because of this.

grayloon

This thread isn't an introduction.

EthanYQX

Don't know about Walgreens but in a real drive-thru you'd never trip the sensor. It's a trick even on a motorcycle.

cyberpep

Welcome to the BF Deb,
Many stores seem to have that drive thru policy. Do a I did once after having the same experience that you did.
Take your bike in the store, ride it up to the counter, ask for your prescription and then enjoy the look on their faces. You may still get hassled but at least it will be on your terms not theirs.

grayloon

And be an ass, ruin things for other cyclists. Very immature behavior. I don't care for the lack of facilities for bikes, but the better way to get them is to join an advocacy group, write letters to corporate headquarters, and work with local government to promote building codes and use codes that open doors to cyclists. Stores are private property and have the right to ban bicycles from facilities if there is not an ordinance or code allowing them. I can guarantee that if you act like an ass, rather than cooperation, you will see more bans.

Now, this thread does not belong in introductions and should be moved.

TexasKid

Just call the store and tt the manager and ask him what's up? Do it without an attitude and I'm sure they'll be serving you at the window next time.

My guess is, and I don't know the age or the mentality of these people in the store, they have a policy of not serving "walk-ups" for security reasons. They probably consider you a "walk-up." I'll bet that if you BE NICE and "take the high road", you'll get your way. If they still won't consider service you on your 2-wheeler in the drive thru, find a pharmacy that will and go there. Try not to take it personally!

John E

This is an old topic which unfortunately still remains a problem for bicyclists and pedestrians. I particularly resent it when the drive-up facilities are open longer hours than the stores themselves. I am going to think globally and act locally by taking advantage of my position on an official citizens' environmental advisory committee to try to make serving bicyclists and pedestrians a condition for getting or renewing a drive-up window permit. If you are well-connected with your local city council, I recommend trying the same thing where you live.

grayloon

Other than the original building permit specifying opening size and some design features, in the three states I've lived in and 4 or 5 others I've had lots of contact with planning, engineering, other folk, I'm not aware drive-up windows need a special operating permit, especially if the window requires no extra driveways to the street. Its a non-issue in most jurisdictions as far as yearly or other permitting goes. What happens on private property stays on private property once the thing is built.

adriel

I have gone through the drive through at wendy's and my bank without issue. Tripping the sensor is just like the sensor for a traffic light.

If anyone ever tells me they will not serve me on my bike, I will take it up with the management. In a chain like walgreens I would take it up with corporate if the management does not listen. I would also use words like "cyclist boycott" and CVS pharmacy.

If you do not stand up for your rights, no one will.

If walgreens refuses to serve you in the drive through let me know, I will write a letter also, and get others to write letters.

grayloon

That's the mature way to handle it and you'll, if not make friends, at least get your point across in way people can understand, even if they do not act on it. Acting out in the store accomplished very little, other than resentment and pidgeon holing of cyclists. However, in these parts, mention cyclist boycott and they'll laugh at you, maybe not to your face, but after you go away.

Wanderer

My local Walgreens services me at the drive up all the time - no problem with me being on my bike at all. Seems as though they recognize that I'm not a pedestrian. Must be a "store" policy.

I would nicely ask and nicely speak to the manager and tryto explain all of the above.

Bacciagalupe

OK, next time you go to the pharmacy, pick up some of these:




While I can understand your being a bit upset, I'm sorry to say that you're coming across as someone with a tremendous sense of entitlement. I know that modern life is all about convenience and speed, but really, locking up your bike and walking into the store like everyone else isn't going to kill you. By the way, while I don't know where you live, it's somewhat unlikely that bike theft is actually worse there than it is in my general area.

I've also found that direct verbal confrontations like the one you described are largely ineffective at altering behavior -- especially when you exaggerate your minor inconveniences with a significantly more serious issue (e.g. discrimination). You may feel better when haranguing some minimum-wage employee, but it's only going to tick them off and give you (and possibly other cyclists) a black mark in the future.

And while I also support your writing to upper management and politely advocating for a change, I can assure you that there are much more important things in this wonderful world of ours which justify your getting all bent out of shape. Some of them even involve bicycles.

ATAC49er

Sorry, Baccia, but there's no sense of entitlement working here; bikes are legally defined as vehicles, with all the rights & responsibilities on the roads, so why should we be treated as less by businesses who want our money?

apricissimus 

As a former retail manager, I can't fathom why a store would want to refuse service to a customer like this. It causes zero inconvenience to the store, and alienates a customer. This is just shoddy, terrible service all around.

grayloon

The banks and restaurants I've talked to are concerned about liability. No matter, its private property and the owner of a facility owes no explanation. Alienating one customer on a bike may appear to mean nothing to a chain like Walgreen's or at least that particular store. It remains the the first best way to get their attention and a change in policy is to approach management and/or corporate politely.

adriel

Like everyone else that didn't pull up in a car you mean? What about motorcycles? And exactly how is a bicycle more of a liability than a motorcycle? They are equally fragile in this situation.

The reason it bothers me is because it is prejudice, and prejudice against cyclists is a huge part of the "bigger problem".

grayloon

More than a few drive throughs do not allow any two wheeled vehicles of any sort. Again, its private property. The owner and management do not owe an explanation. Organize and/or write letters if you want a change in policy. Frankly, the better tactic is to do as Madison and a few other cities are trying, ban the drive through. They waste fuel and add to pollution. If others are in line at the drive through, I, for sure, do not want to get in line on a bike or motorcycle.

crhilton

Because you confuse them. In modern retail business the policy is that the customer is a bloody moron and is probably trying to steal from you, so ignore his requests. I know, this is a bit of a change from "the customer is always right."

There's no reason to refuse business to a cyclist in a drive through. Your higher than someone in a small car and lower than someone in a large pickup, both of which fit and work.

You're more exposed and can get closer to the window. Your vehicle makes no less noise than a prius and no more noise than any vehicle.

There's just no excuse. That's where I'd come from. When they say "we don't serve cyclists" say "why?" If they don't have an answer then wait until they give one, and hold up their drive through. After a few minutes just leave calmly and write a complaint to their corporate offices. The manager may get an e-mail telling him to stop being an ass.

This isn't an entitlement or whining issue. This is a "wtf" issue.

Tex_Arcana

And if it's like most Walgreens I've seen in my area there is likely no place to lock up your bike. Even the signage for handicap parking is usually a straight rectangular shaped post. If the Walgreens that is giving you problems is like that you may want to point it out to the manager and tell him there should be some type of fix one way or another.

If nothing comes from that then as you walk away mutter something like, "Now I know why the other cyclists are going to CVS".

adriel

Too many people are content at the back of the bus. Don't rock the boat by trying to sit at the front of the bus.

grayloon

The bus in question is private and you aren't a protected class. If you want to rock the boat, do it in a positive manner and don't sink the ship.

CommuterRun

Contact corporate headquarters and see what their corporate policy is, if they even have one. Politely explain your situation and offer input on the policy. If they won't work with you explain why, after years of using their business, you are going to the competition and will recommend to others to do the same.

cyclezealot

I just can't seem to understand how a bike in a drive lane is a security problem. Have they ever satisfactorily answered that question. We are allowed on the road, but not in a drive thru where cars are stopped. / Its only a problem when you have no secure place to lock your bike, which does in fact happen. . In the US there is a lack of acceptance of those who choose bike commuting. .. When presented with this problem I have made them regret their decision. I have grossed out their customers by smelling up their counter area . When ever that happens I am more than pleased to continually wipe the sweat from off my brow and lift my arm pit. McDonald's has shown the same policy towards cyclists. Our presence more than likely encourages their patrons to order a Ice Cream Sunday.