Living Car Free - Bicycles not allowed

While I'm not living car free, I recently vowed to go "car-lite". Today I biked to a small shopping strip to go to a coffee shop for some chai and dinner. It's only about 2-3 miles from where I live, so it was an easy ride. When turning into the strip form the side street, I saw that all-too familiar sign that says "ABSOLUTELY NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" with another one for skateboards right underneath. I know the types they are trying to keep out with those sides (younger kids loitering and doing stunts all around the parking lot). I pulled up in front and got off my bike to walk it somewhere where I could lock it. I noticed a threatening glare from the shop nextdoor as the employee walked back to the phone and picked it up, started dialing. Don't know who she was calling, but judging how she did not take her eyes off of me this whole time, I assume it was about me violating the "no bike" posting. I walked up to the coffee shop that I was going to, only to discover it is closed on sunday evenings, so I headed home. Didn't have an encounter, but might have had I found the shop open. Anyone else run into situations like this? And is there any legal reason they can keep you from biking to their store?

How serious they are depends on the location. I knew one shopping center that had such signs prominently featured at the perimeter of the property. They also had bike racks near both doors of the grocery store. Go figure.

You could have asked the employee politely.

While I'm not living car free, I recently vowed to go "car-lite". Today I biked to a small shopping strip to go to a coffee shop for some chai and dinner. It's only about 2-3 miles from where I live, so it was an easy ride. When turning into the strip form the side street, I saw that all-too familiar sign that says "ABSOLUTELY NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" with another one for skateboards right underneath. I know the types they are trying to keep out with those sides (younger kids loitering and doing stunts all around the parking lot). I pulled up in front and got off my bike to walk it somewhere where I could lock it. I noticed a threatening glare from the shop nextdoor as the employee walked back to the phone and picked it up, started dialing. Don't know who she was calling, but judging how she did not take her eyes off of me this whole time, I assume it was about me violating the "no bike" posting. I walked up to the coffee shop that I was going to, only to discover it is closed on sunday evenings, so I headed home. Didn't have an encounter, but might have had I found the shop open. Anyone else run into situations like this? And is there any legal reason they can keep you from biking to their store?


I suspect most places enforce such rules rather loosely as it is pretty easy to tell the difference between someone having business on the premises and a bunch of jokers running over little old ladies in the parking lot. That being said, I have never seen anyone where I live post signs forbidding cyclists from the outside of a shopping plaza. That would be pretty unproductive in a city with two universities just down the street from each other.

Since the shopping center and, I assume, the parking lot are private property, the owner should have the right to restrict access as they wish so long as they so not discriminate against a "protected group" (race, religion, age, etc). Bicyclists are not a protected group.

If the shopping center chooses to enforce this rule, you have two choices. You could lock you bike up outside of the shopping center and walk to the store or you can simply spend your money at a more cyclist-friendly place. Since you do have a bicycle you should have plenty of other opportunities within an easy distance.

I think I would just ride. What can they do anyway? They can't ticket you, can't take your bike away. They can tell you to go away, I suppose, and then you can decide whether you comply or not, but it doesn't hurt to stick around until then, does it?

you should have thrown a brick through the window... or just take your patronage to a more cyclist-friendly location.
we don't need businesses, they need us.

That's kinda crazy..never seen a "no bikes allowed" signs where I live..I'd assume that'd be economic suicide for allot of bussineses. In fact with gas going throujgh the roof I'm seen more bike racks in front of more stores, guess they figure if people who drive cars are getting more scarce due to gas prices they're gonna try to attract those of us with more disposible income that ride bikes..
Cheers..

Don't let knuckle heads worry you. Who is she going to call, the anti-bike A-Team? "I pitty the fool who rides a bike here!"

Let her get her panties in a twist if she wants and go about your business in a respectful way.

Living in California for the past thirteen years, I have never seen a "no bicycles" sign at a shopping area. In fact, many of the employees of businesses in the centers bike there and racks are available. I have seen the "no skateboarding" signs and I support those due to the fact that boarders often grind against curbs and buildings themselves doing actual damage. The building where I own a business had to install "anti-grinding" plates on the building to prevent such damage. We do, however, provide a bike rack and encourage patrons to make use of it!

While I'm not living car free, I recently vowed to go "car-lite". Today I biked to a small shopping strip to go to a coffee shop for some chai and dinner. It's only about 2-3 miles from where I live, so it was an easy ride. When turning into the strip form the side street, I saw that all-too familiar sign that says "ABSOLUTELY NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" with another one for skateboards right underneath. I know the types they are trying to keep out with those sides (younger kids loitering and doing stunts all around the parking lot). I pulled up in front and got off my bike to walk it somewhere where I could lock it. I noticed a threatening glare from the shop nextdoor as the employee walked back to the phone and picked it up, started dialing. Don't know who she was calling, but judging how she did not take her eyes off of me this whole time, I assume it was about me violating the "no bike" posting. I walked up to the coffee shop that I was going to, only to discover it is closed on sunday evenings, so I headed home. Didn't have an encounter, but might have had I found the shop open. Anyone else run into situations like this? And is there any legal reason they can keep you from biking to their store?

Don't take it personal, pick your fights. If it was easy, everybody would lose the car.

While I'm not living car free, I recently vowed to go "car-lite". Today I biked to a small shopping strip to go to a coffee shop for some chai and dinner. It's only about 2-3 miles from where I live, so it was an easy ride. When turning into the strip form the side street, I saw that all-too familiar sign that says "ABSOLUTELY NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" with another one for skateboards right underneath. I know the types they are trying to keep out with those sides (younger kids loitering and doing stunts all around the parking lot). I pulled up in front and got off my bike to walk it somewhere where I could lock it. I noticed a threatening glare from the shop nextdoor as the employee walked back to the phone and picked it up, started dialing. Don't know who she was calling, but judging how she did not take her eyes off of me this whole time, I assume it was about me violating the "no bike" posting. I walked up to the coffee shop that I was going to, only to discover it is closed on sunday evenings, so I headed home. Didn't have an encounter, but might have had I found the shop open. Anyone else run into situations like this? And is there any legal reason they can keep you from biking to their store?
Sounds like you might just be paranoid(?)

I am one who has to act. I would not have a conflict with the shop owner, but I'd make a stink elsewhere. The owners of city officials. Maybe your city encourages cycling now. COuld an ordinance be passed. I'd contact the shopping centers' owners.
How about getting cycling advocacy groups contacting the center.
Cyclists should be protected groups. Can't afford a car and bike commute everywhere, it is discrimination against a social class of workers.

Easy, mate. Those signs are "Lawyer signs" to keep the property owner from
being sued if some stupid kids gets hurt , or hurts someone else, while riding
or doing stunts on their property.

If sued the owner points to the sign and says....I posted that bikes & skateboards
were not allowed on my property. The kid got hurt because he.......trespassed on
my property!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

If you're not sure that "riding" is OK then ride close to the store then.....get off and
walk your bike to a parking place. That is safe, respectful, sane riding of a bike in a
congested area that is defendable in court. When you walk your bike around pedestrians
you pose a threat to no one.

Easy, mate. Those signs are "Lawyer signs" to keep the property owner from
being sued if some stupid kids gets hurt , or hurts someone else, while riding
or doing stunts on their property.

If sued the owner points to the sign and says....I posted that bikes & skateboards
were not allowed on my property. The kid got hurt because he.......trespassed on
my property!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

If you're not sure that "riding" is OK then ride close to the store then.....get off and
walk your bike to a parking place. That is safe, respectful, sane riding of a bike in a
congested area that is defendable in court. When you walk your bike around pedestrians
you pose a threat to no one.

+1 What a sensible alternative to becoming upset :)

Actually, there is a shopping center where I live that has several of those 'no bicycles' signs posted. I do just what the poster above described and I've never been hasseled in any way.

Tightwad. Use of word 'mate,' if you live outside USA? Maybe you do not realize the anti cycling sentiment there is about in certain locations. I just assumed they might mean, bikes are not allowed on the property- that could be too great an assumption. I hope you are right.
Bet, that center will likely make it impossible to hitch your bike up to some secure spot.

exactly - just ignore it -- what on earth will they do?


Don't let knuckle heads worry you. Who is she going to call, the anti-bike A-Team? "I pitty the fool who rides a bike here!"

Let her get her panties in a twist if she wants and go about your business in a respectful way.

Suggest that they change the signs. Some that I've seen are:

"No stunt riding of wheeled devices."

"No Loitering, Including Bicyclists."

"Parking lot for use of customers only while shopping here."

"No Freestyling"

Suggest that they change the signs. Some that I've seen are:

"No stunt riding of wheeled devices."

"No Loitering, Including Bicyclists."

"Parking lot for use of customers only while shopping here."

"No Freestyling"

How about:

"Our competitors welcome bicycles"

"Cyclists are advised to spend their money elsewhere"

Well first I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. They may not know that they're losong good customers unless somebody tells them. Obviously he wanted to shop there, so it might be worthwhile trying to convince them to get a better policy.

There is a similar sign at a shopping center just down the street from me, but I always assumed it was referring to the sidewalk there, not the parking lot. Was the sign posted on it's own pole right at the edge of the property, or was it posted on a column or the side of a building?

Tightwad. Use of word 'mate,' if you live outside USA? Maybe you do not realize the anti cycling sentiment there is about in certain locations. I just assumed they might mean, bikes are not allowed on the property- that could be too great an assumption. I hope you are right.
Bet, that center will likely make it impossible to hitch your bike up to some secure spot.

My guess is that the businesses in that area have no problem with bikes at all, if those bikes are ridden by people who are willing to spend a small amount of money. That's the beauty of capitalism. Just be respectful, don't hurt anyone, and buy a latte. If they have a bad attitude about bikes now, which I kind of doubt, that will change.

If you were planning to patronize the coffee shop anyway, why not speak to them. Let them know that they will have your business but you want to make sure your bike will be OK while you're there. Maybe they'll volunteer to let you take it inside.

I sometimes like to F- with people who give me a hard time. Accordingly, were I confronted by anyone about my bike being where "It's not allowed", I think I would say something like, "Well I'm not allowed to drive my car because of my DISABILITY" Watch them scramble to hold you bike for you while you go buy your coffee.

Today I biked to a small shopping strip to go to a coffee shop for some chai and dinner...When turning into the strip form the side street, I saw that all-too familiar sign that says "ABSOLUTELY NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" with another one for skateboards right underneath...I pulled up in front and got off my bike...I noticed a threatening glare from the shop nextdoor as the employee walked back to the phone and picked it up, started dialing.
If I had a business in a strip mall, and you parked your bike and walked into my shop, and another business owner reported you for violating a "NO BICYCLES ALLOWED" policy, I'd make sure that snitch knew I didn't appreciate them running off my customers.

If you ever have a problem, go to the manager/owner of the store you do business with and let them know
it's costing them your business.

"Well I'm not allowed to drive my car because of my DISABILITY"

Reminds me of the guy who used to work with me. He was legally blind (could vaguely see if something was really close to his eyes) and he owned a car. The government helped him buy it.

we don't need businesses, they need us.

populist opinion like this always has my vote.

On a related note: I rode through a cemetary today on my way from work and there were signs posted there stating that a 10 km/h (about 6 mph!) speed limit for bicycles was "strictly enforced". Not for cars, apparently... I guess it really offends grieving people when a cyclist "zooms by" at 20 mph, but when a car "crawls by" at 20 mph, it's all very respectful. What crapholes! Did they ever try to balance a bicycle at 6 mph?!! :D

And, oh - they didn't allow rollerbladers! Cars are ok, bikes are ok, joggers are ok - but rollerbladers for some reason are outlawed! Oh, sure, it offends people, wheels strapped to the feet - what an awful contraption in a solemn place like that! Interestingly, a car is not supposed to offend anybody even though I'd bet any amount of money that that cemetary has a lot more car accident victims buried in there than rollerblading accident victims. Still - a car is considered respectful and a rollerblader offensive. What kind of screwed up pieces of turd am I forced to share this planet with??!!!