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I just cruised on my Catrike down to the local Walgreens to drop off a prescription. I parked the trike well away from the window in a safety striped zone and walked up to the window. There was absolutely no traffic.
The druggest tells me its illegal for me to use a bike to come to the drive through. I ask him if he'd let me bring my $3K trike in the store. He tells me that would not be safe. I ask him what Florida statute says its illegal. He just says thats the law. I then tell him there are other drug stores, and he turns his back, waves his hand, and walks away.
I find no reference to biking or walking up to a drive through in the Florida traffic statutes. I would be unhappy with this as a store policy, but they don't need to lie to me.
Any knowledge or comment?
NNY
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I would be surprised if there are significant laws concerning private drive-throughs. But it is a private business and they can refuse to serve you for any reason. It could be a liability thing as well.
Not illegal, I would take my business somewhere else, after letting the Walgreens' Manager know exactly why. A letter to the Corp. office might be a good touch as well.
There is a Walgreens just out on the main street from my neighborhood. I often drop off prescriptions at the drive up window while on my bike. I just ride up on the bike, unclip one pedal and hand the prescription over. None of the clerks has ever said anything about being on a bike. I go inside to pick them up as I use a debit card to pay and I need to key in my pin number. I would ask to talk to the store manager about it.
Al
NNY, you didn't even ride your trike up to the window, so it's weird they get all miffed about your trike at the drive-up. But I guess most places don't like non-motor vehicles in the drive through anyway.
Next time bring a lock and lock it up.
I just cruised on my Catrike down to the local Walgreens to drop off a prescription. I parked the trike well away from the window in a safety striped zone and walked up to the window. There was absolutely no traffic.
The druggest tells me its illegal for me to use a bike to come to the drive through. I ask him if he'd let me bring my $3K trike in the store. He tells me that would not be safe. I ask him what Florida statute says its illegal. He just says thats the law. I then tell him there are other drug stores, and he turns his back, waves his hand, and walks away.
I find no reference to biking or walking up to a drive through in the Florida traffic statutes. I would be unhappy with this as a store policy, but they don't need to lie to me.
Any knowledge or comment?
NNY
My guess is that the policy (official or unofficial) is to serve people on foot at the counter inside the store. I'd imagine that the drivethrough is mainly for those customers who have difficulties coming inside the store, although that priviledge gets abused by the people who are too lazy assed to get out of their car or bring a lock to lock their bike.
I can say that I know a pharmacist who works at walgreens personally, and they have the pharmacists running like dogs inside there, the last thing they want to deal with is some smartass in the drivethrough challenging them over some supposed right. People tend to treat their pharmicists like sh!t, thinking they are at your beck and call and that somehow the customer has some sort of right to mouth off over the littlest thing that the pharmacist doesn't have any control over. That's why the dismissive wave. To be a pharmacist in the business, you have to tolerate a lot of crap being thrown your way, and to have one idiot cyclist mouthing off at them because he is too lazy to bring a method of securing his bike and walking in and standing in line like everyone else is just something they will not deal with.
And don't get all smartassed and say you looked in and found nobody in line. When there's a line, they take in prescriptions. When the line dies down, they now have time to fill them. Yea, there's no line, but they are still running. And, don't bother complaining; the manager will side with the pharmacist every time. There are enough customers for all the pharmacies, and the population of babyboomers who need drugs far outnumber the number of cyclists in the US. They aren't discriminating based on any protected class, so you have no argument.
Do your local pharmacist a favor next time and bring a lock and walk in to the front counter if you have business with them. FWIW, I really, really, doubt that the pharmacist has a thing against bicyclists. Why the he|| would he or she? To them, you are just some guy trying to cut in line by walking up to the drivethrough.
Almost all fast food places officially prohibit having bicycles or people on foot from being served at the drive-thru line. It's more for liability protection than anything else.
Personally I think it's the height of laziness to use a drive through window. Bring a lock next time.
The store has the right to tell you what you can or can't drive on their property. They can legally can all bicycles from their property... they can also legally ban all cars from their property.
So no, you have no right to use their drive through on a bicycle.
Some of the responses from our fellow cyclists here are rather surprising: it's as if they agree with and condone such a blatantly discriminatory 'policy' that prohibits bicycles from a drive-through. I mean, a drive-through is supposed to be a convenience for folks in (on) vehicles who are in a hurry to get where they're going. Are motorcycles or scooters similarly denied use as well?
I'd hardly call riding up to a drive-through window to drop off a prescription or pick up a coffee and a bagel or even a Big Mac the height of laziness. I'd call it efficient. But some of the replies I am reading in this and a recent similar thread almost seem to suggest that they agree that cyclists are closer to pedestrians than vehicle-operators and, therefore, undeserving of the convenience of a drive-through. It baffles me that some fat slob in a Cadillac can drive up to get artery-clogging burgers and fries, but a cyclist has to unclip, find a suitable locking-post (in some cases nowhere near the facility) and enter the store/restaurant to wait in line while the fat slob is in and out in a second and he never had to move a muscle.
I can't see how or where it would be dangerous for a cyclist to be in line at a drive-through, so I don't buy that contention. Vehicles are inching though a narrow lane. They are not operating at high-speed or with limited visibility and while some drivers scrape those steel/concrete poles, they generally do so at very low speeds. They're not ramming vehicles from behind.
It's not the most important issue facing cyclists, I agree. Not by a long shot. But it is discrimination and it has no justification, as far as I'm concerned. Any business with an official policy prohibiting bicycles from their convenience services should be 'outed' and shunned by local cyclists', management should be notified of the complaint in writing with a request to reverse the policy. If they persist, cyclists should encourage others to avoid patronizing the operation. Just my two-cents worth.
It is not good for business for a pharmacy to encourage a healthy lifestyle. I suspect that Walgreens has figured this out and would prefer for you to drive an SUV to their drive up window,and get your cholesterol lowering drugs on your way to the burger king drive through.
Walgreens sucks. Once they told my girlfriend they "didn't have time to fill her prescription".
Sometimes theyll short you on larger quantities of pills. They say they sell by weight, not
number of tablets, even though the Dr's prescription specifically says number of tablets.
Get back on your trike and try again.
This time 'take the lane' and ride VC through the drive through.
You'll get respect and your script filled. ;)
I ignore stupid rules. If the location is convenient, I'd just keep doing it.
My guess is that the policy (official or unofficial) is to serve people on foot at the counter inside the store. I'd imagine that the drivethrough is mainly for those customers who have difficulties coming inside the store, although that priviledge gets abused by the people who are too lazy assed to get out of their car or bring a lock to lock their bike...
You read a LOT into OP's post. That's your choice. However, there's no need for the personal attacks.
--J, a Forum Mod
Perhaps it depends on the size of the community. I regularly use the drive through at both branches of my bank, McDonald's, Burger King, Rite Aide prescription window, KFC & Taco Time with never a question.
Some of the responses from our fellow cyclists here are rather surprising: it's as if they agree with and condone such a blatantly discriminatory 'policy' that prohibits bicycles
...............
Discriminatory. That's a laugh and a half.
Help, help, I'm being repressed !!
Perhaps it depends on the size of the community. I regularly use the drive through at both branches of my bank, McDonald's, Burger King, Rite Aide prescription window, KFC & Taco Time with never a question.
I don't know if I would get served at the drive in windows at the numerous fast food joints or other stores. I never want to wait in line with idling motor vehicles when on a bike. I don't use those windows when in a car either since I don't like the idea of waiting in line with my own motor running.
I do use the drive in for the ATM with my bike when the bank lobby is closed. Who is there to complain?
Otherwise I always go inside and get free lollypops, pens, popcorn, coffee etc at my local bank.
Used to stop at a local convenience store that had a window for purchasing milk and such. It Did not serve those who walked up without a car. I was a runner at the time. So I would go in following a run, since they would not let me use the window.
Since I smelled like holly hell, I got to enjoy grossing out their customers, since their stupid rules would not allow me to walk up. I'd try to only shop at stores that are bike friendly. With a bike, so what. I'd appreciate getting in a couple extra miles.
I ignore stupid rules. If the location is convenient, I'd just keep doing it.
That's what I'd do. Keep going to the drive up window on your trike, eventually the guy will get sick of telling you every time that he won't serve you there. Make sure to take up a bunch of his time arguing about it every time to. Make sure a good sized line of cars gets behind you before you move off. Within two or three visits he'll get the picture.
Also I would certainly call him on the "Its against the law line" next time he tries to use that. Ask him to dial the police non-emergency number (have it handy to give to him) and have an officer come by and cite you for taking a bike through the drive thru.
Discriminatory. That's a laugh and a half.
Help, help, I'm being repressed !!
dictionary.com:
dis·crim·i·na·tion /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. an act or instance of discriminating.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
american heritage dictionary:
dis·crim·i·na·tion (dĭ-skrĭm'ə-nā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.
The act of discriminating.
The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
Treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice: racial discrimination; discrimination against foreigners.
wordnet:
discrimination
noun
1. unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
Looks like discrimination certainly applies in this case.
That's what I'd do. Keep going to the drive up window on your trike, eventually the guy will get sick of telling you every time that he won't serve you there. Make sure to take up a bunch of his time arguing about it every time to. Make sure a good sized line of cars gets behind you before you move off. Within two or three visits he'll get the picture.
.
plus 1. This is really how I like to react to silly rules. So many hate the sight of cyclists. You'd think they'd try to get rid of us asap. Could get back at the jerk by going in with stinky kit and grossing out the old farts. I'd be wearing my 'stamp out cars,' jersey.
Are motorcycles or scooters similarly denied use as well?
Around here yes. anyone not in an enclosed vehicle is denied at some drivethroughs. including people on foot, bicycles, scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles.
I sometimes use pick-up windows on my bike.
When a person working pick-up window asks me to walk inside, I tell them that I smell really bad. That usually changes their mind.
I got turned away from a BK drive through once. I wouldn't have minded but the lobby was closed and I was a little drunk and couldn't come back in my car. All I wanted was a damn milkshake. I stood outside the window yelling a cussing for a few minutes till he threatened to call the cops. (Maybe I was more than a little drunk) :D
I went through a Carls Jr drive through on my Vespa once. I couldn't trip the sensor to order, so I pulled up to the window. By the time I got up there, they were taking an order from the car behind me. Since our orders taken out of order they got mixed up and it was a big pain. I suspect this could be part of why most places won't serve bicycles at the drive up window, but there's no reason a bank or pharmacy shouldn't.
It's a simple liability issue. The management that trains the rank & file to explain that "it's illegal" do so for the simple reason that many people will not argue and because armed with that knowledge the employee will not serve the customer thereby introducing a liability. Employees of large soul-less entities are known for theri willingness to bend corporate policy they find stupid or unfair. The rule of law generates more respect, so they lie for this reason or out of ignorance.
People have been turned away from drive through food establishment for years for this reason. I'd recommend a local druggist, and a real restaurant.
FYI
I emailed the Corporate Customer Service and described what happened and asked about their policy.
I just got a call from the supervisory pharmacist at the store, who told me there is no policy, each store decides and it is their decision to "discourage" pedestrians and bikes, but acknowledged that motorcycles were accepted.
He appologized for the tone of the refusal of service and offered to let me park the trike inside the store whenever I needed to.
All in all a satisfactory resolution.
NNY
Looks like discrimination certainly applies in this case.
Yeah, sure.
Maybe you should organize a march or something.
Weak.
Some of you should go on a world tour to some countries where the locals can tell you all about what the word "repressed" means. Until then, bring a lock. Oh, wait, just realized I was in A&S. Enjoy your victimhood, y'all.
I got turned away from a BK drive through once. I wouldn't have minded but the lobby was closed and I was a little drunk and couldn't come back in my car. All I wanted was a damn milkshake. I stood outside the window yelling a cussing for a few minutes till he threatened to call the cops. (Maybe I was more than a little drunk) :D
Keep in mind at most drive through whatevers the cash register is right next to the window. I worked at BK back when I was 15 and we didn't allow walk ups either, and at 2am it's not necessarily a bad rule.
A suburban drive through pharmacy at 2pm is different, but I understand the reasoning for fast food's walk up rules.
Here's a point.
Why would you want to stand in line with a bunch of exhaust smoke blowing into you standing in a drive thru lane?
Stop being lazy. Chain the bike and go inside... Geez.......
good . I don't like it when we just let our disputes go unresolved. One way or another, I like a confirmation of policy to know that some yahoo is not just making this **** up.
Why would you want to stand in line with a bunch of exhaust smoke blowing into you standing in a drive thru lane
As KrisPistofferson pointed out, a good AnS'er would never miss the opportunity to play the victim.
Here's a point.
Why would you want to stand in line with a bunch of exhaust smoke blowing into you standing in a drive thru lane?
Most of the time, the bank drive thru I use has no one else there.
Stop being lazy. Chain the bike and go inside... Geez.......
Chain the bike to what? Go stand inside, drip sweat everywhere, and gross out all the other customers? No thanks.
Chain the bike to what? Something longer than it is wide?
Go stand inside, drip sweat everywhere, and gross out all the other customers?
Didn't realize riding to the pharmacy would be such a grueling task. Do you take naps after climbing stairs?
Something longer than it is wide?
Assuming something anywhere near where you are going exists that's in that shape. That's not always the case.
Didn't realize riding to the pharmacy would be such a grueling task. Do you take naps after climbing stairs?
Friendly today, aren't we? The bank I go to after work is about an 8 mile ride. When it's 90+ degrees out, I'm pretty disgusting by the time I get there. If I don't have to go inside, I'm not going to.
Friendly today, aren't we? The bank I go to after work is about an 8 mile ride. When it's 90+ degrees out, I'm pretty disgusting by the time I get there. If I don't have to go inside, I'm not going to.
I would look at that scenario as an opportunity to enjoy some refreshing air conditioned air on someone else's dime. But that's me.;)
I would look at that scenario as an opportunity to enjoy some refreshing air conditioned air on someone else's dime. But that's me.;)
Yeah, it all depends on my level of disgustingness (sp?) compared to the reward for sharing that disgustingness with others. After a long, hot ride down in North Carolina two summers ago, I couldn't have cared less about how nasty I was when I walked into the Wendy's to get some salty food and some Sprite. The a/c, a place to sit and eat, and lack of bugs in the air won the battle in that instance.
Yeah, it all depends on my level of disgustingness (sp?) compared to the reward for sharing that disgustingness with others. After a long, hot ride down in North Carolina two summers ago, I couldn't have cared less about how nasty I was when I walked into the Wendy's to get some salty food and some Sprite. The a/c, a place to sit and eat, and lack of bugs in the air won the battle in that instance.
Now, going in a fast food joint on a hot day following a hot ride bothers me in the least. I just try not to sit on the upholestry. Usually a bunch of hot sweaty cyclists anyway. We just sort of isolate ourselves. When we have a drive thru option, I just appreciate knowing the policy and knowing it is consistent.
Why would you want to stand in line with a bunch of exhaust smoke blowing into you standing in a drive thru lane?
My fear, especially at a pharmacy, would be an 80 year old driver who can't see over the steering wheel pulling behind me in their giant Cadillac. You'd get your five minutes of fame being the subject on a news story in but another case of "unintended acceleration".
Assuming something anywhere near where you are going exists that's in that shape. That's not always the case.Right, the hypothetical "Walgreens on Mars" that only exists in the imagination of the martyrs on the Advocacy & Safety subforum.
Right, the hypothetical "Walgreens on Mars" that only exists in the imagination of the martyrs on the Advocacy & Safety subforum.
Would you like me to send you a picture of the bank I go to and you can try and find a spot for me to secure my bike? I can show you pictures of a few other shopping centers where there really is nothing to properly secure a bike to (unless you carry a 5 foot chain).
Some of you should go on a world tour to some countries where the locals can tell you all about what the word "repressed" means. Until then, bring a lock. Oh, wait, just realized I was in A&S. Enjoy your victimhood, y'all.
pshaw, just say weak when you mean weak, don't justify it with starving kids in Africa. A few weeks ago I was shortchanged by a shopkeep, I didn't meekly wander off because of Darfur and how it makes my missing $5.00 seem so petty, I asked for correct change and got it.
Right, the hypothetical "Walgreens on Mars" that only exists in the imagination of the martyrs on the Advocacy & Safety subforum.
Actually, in some towns I have been too going to a store, ive walked for blocks and blocks and blocks without seeing anything I could chain my bike to, and ill lock my bike to anything.
Hasnt been a problem in Chicago for me, but I wouldnt rule it out so quickly.
I just cruised on my Catrike down to the local Walgreens to drop off a prescription...
The druggest tells me its illegal for me to use a bike to come to the drive through....I ask him what Florida statute says its illegal. He just says thats the law...
I find no reference to biking or walking up to a drive through in the Florida traffic statutes. I would be unhappy with this as a store policy, but they don't need to lie to me.
I doubt there is such a law, it's usually a rule set by company policy.
I guess the best thing to do is to call corporate headquarters and mention that they won't get any more of your business. But yeah, it's pretty common at drive-thoughs where I live. Better get used to it.-
As for those who complain you are whining too much, forget it. Some folks enjoy getting in the internet and telling other people how to run their business.
Almost all fast food places officially prohibit having bicycles or people on foot from being served at the drive-thru line. It's more for liability protection than anything else.
Personally I think it's the height of laziness to use a drive through window. Bring a lock next time.
The store has the right to tell you what you can or can't drive on their property. They can legally can all bicycles from their property... they can also legally ban all cars from their property.
So no, you have no right to use their drive through on a bicycle.
If the place was fully open, I could see the justification for being barred from the drive-up.
What I really hate though is when only the drive-thru is open and the rest of the establishment is closed.
A Jack-In-The-Box is only two miles from my house and I work and do alot of things during the latePM/earlyAM hours.
I rode up to the drive-thru window for 8 tacos and 2 chicken sandwiches.
I had money, but they told me to get lost or they'd call the cops if I didn't leave.
They also told me they would serve me if I rode back home and came back in my car.
That comment ignited the powder and I flipped 'em off and called them *****s.
Next, morning I asked a sheriffs deputy on break if they would really arrest someone for riding a bicycle up to a drive-thru window. Deputy told me that they would show up and then leave like nothing happened.
Good thing "In And Out" stays open until 1AM, I got someplace to actually go and sit for a shake and tripler craving.
FYI
I emailed the Corporate Customer Service and described what happened and asked about their policy.
I just got a call from the supervisory pharmacist at the store, who told me there is no policy, each store decides and it is their decision to "discourage" pedestrians and bikes, but acknowledged that motorcycles were accepted.
He appologized for the tone of the refusal of service and offered to let me park the trike inside the store whenever I needed to.
All in all a satisfactory resolution.
NNY
Congratulations. Nice work. The one and only time I went to my local McD's was when the power was out and I wanted one of their horribly overpriced little things of milk. The drive thru appeared convenient, so I went through it. When I got to the window, they sold me the milk, but not before they very rudely told me that I couldn't use a bicycle in the drive thru. When I emailed corporate, they said it was for "safety" reasons. When I asked how the one-way drive-thru made me any less safe than the two-way the parking lot with cars backing in and out of slots, they did not not respond.
They just don't want to think abut cyclists. One solution is just to push your bike inside with you (assuming it's clean enough). I never see no bike signs. I once pushed my bike through a Lowes with no problem. Except in extreme situations, we track in nothing worse than a shopping cart or a baby carriage.
As to Brian's (uncharacteristically) snarky remark about not bringing something to secure the bike, one of the pleasures of riding is having a nice bike with nice stuff attached to it. By the time I secure the bike and the seat, and then remove the computer, the seatbag full of tools, the saddlebags, the computer, the blinkie, and the pump, it's made using whatever store I'm visiting a lot less convenient. That kind of convenience is exactly what drive thrus are for.
Stores have the legal right not to serve me, but I have the legal right to shop elsewhere.
Edit: added "(uncharacteristically)"
. . . .
I rode up to the drive-thru window for 8 tacos and 2 chicken sandwiches.
I had money, but they told me to get lost or they'd call the cops if I didn't leave.
They also told me they would serve me if I rode back home and came back in my car.
That comment ignited the powder and I flipped 'em off and called them *****s.
Next, morning I asked a sheriffs deputy on break if they would really arrest someone for riding a bicycle up to a drive-thru window. Deputy told me that they would show up and then leave like nothing happened.
. . . .
The cops could probably nab you for trespassing once you refuse an order to leave the property, but they may not think it's worth their time.
one of the pleasures of riding is having a nice bike with nice stuff attached to it. By the time I secure the bike and the seat, and then remove the computer, the seatbag full of tools, the saddlebags, the computer, the blinkie, and the pump, it's made using whatever store I'm visiting a lot less convenient. That kind of convenience is exactly what drive thrus are for.
Stores have the legal right not to serve me, but I have the legal right to shop elsewhere.
I totally agree with you on both points. The thing about prescription drive-throughs versus fast-food drive throughs is that many people are seriously restricted to where they can purchase their prescriptions because of their health insurance. Which leads me to an idea for you advocacy letter-writers who don't let up: How about writing your health insurance? Their contracted providers are putting up unnecessary barriers for you to use your insurance. For those of us who don't own cars, this is even more of a problem. Quite frankly, I am saving my health insurance money. Had I not begun to use my bike as my primary mode of transportation, I would be on expensive blood pressure meds now. Perhaps others have a similar anecdote to share in such a letter...
The cops could probably nab you for trespassing once you refuse an order to leave the property, but they may not think it's worth their time.
That exact same location still maintains beef with me.
They skimped on hot sauce and told me they were all out of sauce packets when I asked for more.
Didn't know getting a bite to eat could be so damned hard at that time of the morning.
Maybe next time I'll just let some ground beef thaw while I'm out.
My guess is that the policy (official or unofficial) is to serve people on foot at the counter inside the store. I'd imagine that the drivethrough is mainly for those customers who have difficulties coming inside the store, although that priviledge gets abused by the people who are too lazy assed to get out of their car or bring a lock to lock their bike.
I can say that I know a pharmacist who works at walgreens personally, and they have the pharmacists running like dogs inside there, the last thing they want to deal with is some smartass in the drivethrough challenging them over some supposed right. People tend to treat their pharmicists like sh!t, thinking they are at your beck and call and that somehow the customer has some sort of right to mouth off over the littlest thing that the pharmacist doesn't have any control over. That's why the dismissive wave. To be a pharmacist in the business, you have to tolerate a lot of crap being thrown your way, and to have one idiot cyclist mouthing off at them because he is too lazy to bring a method of securing his bike and walking in and standing in line like everyone else is just something they will not deal with.
And don't get all smartassed and say you looked in and found nobody in line. When there's a line, they take in prescriptions. When the line dies down, they now have time to fill them. Yea, there's no line, but they are still running. And, don't bother complaining; the manager will side with the pharmacist every time. There are enough customers for all the pharmacies, and the population of babyboomers who need drugs far outnumber the number of cyclists in the US. They aren't discriminating based on any protected class, so you have no argument.
Do your local pharmacist a favor next time and bring a lock and walk in to the front counter if you have business with them. FWIW, I really, really, doubt that the pharmacist has a thing against bicyclists. Why the he|| would he or she? To them, you are just some guy trying to cut in line by walking up to the drivethrough.
Why exactly did you become a pharmacist if helping people annoys you so much?
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