Utility Cycling - Bringing your bike into stores

We've never had a customer ask or try to bring a bike inside at the newspaper, but there are places to lock up a bike just outside. If someone wanted to bring a bike inside at the front, I'd probably ask if he or she could leave it outside, in front of the window. Or if that was not acceptable, I'd suggest coming around to the back and parking it inside, next to mine.

The reason I don't want bikes inside is because our front customer area doesn't really have enough room for them. The configuration is a little tight and counter space is limited. (We're a small weekly paper and we operate out of a small building.)

I did get some problems from a couple of downtown districts that insisted I park my bike in those old front-tire catcher bike racks.
Yeah, I don't even usually count those as bike racks. They're just ugly street sculpture. (Although if they're out in the open, rather than against a wall, you can throw the front wheel over the top of the rack, then u-lock your down tube to the rack's top rail. In that case, they actually become useful.)


Especially since if there is a bike rack offered outside, it imposes liability to the business if your bike is stolen from it.
What a great system, eh? Refuse to provide any parking, and you're in the clear legally; try to actually do the right thing, and you can get sued...

...keeps unaccompanied teenagers out of the business district....

http://www.kidsbegone.com/

They don't need to ban bikes in the business district.
Oddly enough, being over 30 and all, I can still hear that.

Yeah, I don't even usually count those as bike racks. They're just ugly street sculpture. (Although if they're out in the open, rather than against a wall, you can throw the front wheel over the top of the rack, then u-lock your down tube to the rack's top rail. In that case, they actually become useful.)


Until someone comes along with an adjustable wrench.

I've never tried it. So many people here seem to be so hostile toward cyclists that I would probably just end up looking like an idiot to everyone in the store. :rolleyes:


emphasis mine

get a T-shirt that reads "kiss my idiot a** " and take it in anyway :) :p

Ok, I'm not airing my hometown's dirty laundry any more. I just went to check my mail and found THIS (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=331757) in the mailbox.Oh HELLO. That'll teach ya! :eek: