Commuting - Parking - Dealing with Corporate Security

I started work at a new office location (but same employer) this week. Today was the second day I commuted by bike. Rather than use the rack immediately outside the entry door and have to remove my lights, etc., I parked under an inside stairwell (less than five feet from the entry door) as shown in the attached photo. I figure the bike's not in anyone's way, especially if I'm parking next to some boxes that say "basura" (trash in Spanish) on them.

When I came back to the bike this evening for the ride home, there was a "please park bikes in the designated area outside" placed on the wall next to the bike, obviously put there by security.

I plan to talk to security about the situation, but despite the fact that I can't think of any good reason why I can't park under the stairwell, I bet they're going to insist that I park my bike in the outdoor rack, if for no other reason than "because the bike rack is there and that's where the bikes are supposed to be". I do have a big enough cubicle for the bike, but then the bike might get in the way of my guest chairs, so I really don't want to fall back on that option.

My gut feel is that I'm going to have to elevate this past security, possibly up to HR. For various reasons, any solution involving spending money won't happen. Has anyone else been in this situation before and have tips/advice to offer?

Not the same situation, but I dealt with corporate security before. Talking to the guards and general low level minions is useless. They are like robots, who just do what they are told. Most of the time without the understanding of WHY they are doing it. So talk to whom ever is in charge of security shift/division. Maybe even go through your manager.

Honestly, I doubt you're going to get anywhere. Yes, the bike rack is for bikes, and the stairwell is for basura. Keeps things in order. Prevents ten people from parking bikes there, and letting the basura pile up in the corridor, as a fire hazard and ADA violation.

Yes it's unreasonable in this situation, but that's how companies work. I doubt HR is going to trouble themselves with an exception for you, since they already provide what they probably think to be a very decent bike parking solution.

And do you really want your bike sitting in a pile of trash that's waiting to be picked up?

It is likely a fire code violation to have anything in that stairwell, as it is likely a fire exit. I would look for another secure place for the bike and remind them why the outside rack is insufficient for all day, every day use.

If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance.

I'm sorry to say it but they probably don't want the bike being wheeled into the building and making a mess of the floor. They are probably being like the nagging wife who doesn't want dirt on the carpet. Best thing to do is get a good lock and keep it where it belongs. It sounds like you have made your mind up that you want to argue with them but it really isn't worth it considering us cyclists are second class citizens anyway.

If you do take it to HR make sure they have a valid reason for not allowing you to park it where you want to. They will probably come up with some BS reason.

Good luck dude....

If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance.

And when they answer that worthless bluff with: "Fuggedaboutit," what is the next step?

Just take it up with you; remove the wheels if you need to save space.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but stairwells = fire escapes. Neither the boxes nor the bike should be there. You should go to security and tell them that the boxes are a safety hazard and that the fire marshal might not like finding them there. I'm sorry. You're going to need to find a different place to lock your bike. :(

Leave a note on the wall that says "NO!"?
Silly signs were always one of my pet peaves. Ignore it.

Or like 'Basura" Leave a note that says "que?"

I work in a Corporate Security department and while we don't have a security guard force, we do perform physical security inspections weekly on facilities. In this situation, there are or could be several situations why this isn't acceptable to store your bike there. One could be the fire code issue like someone mentioned above, but the second could be a security situation. By having stuff sitting down in that hole, someone could easily conceal themselves. For that matter, the boxes shouldn't be there either. Doubt you'd get anywhere asking for the exception.

At my company, HR doesn't override Corporate Security so if it's a policy, I'd say look for an alternative, but if it's not, then maybe you can talk to the manager and see why you can't store it there. If it were me, I wouldn't care unless policy said otherwise.

I'm sorry to say it but they probably don't want the bike being wheeled into the building and making a mess of the floor.

Yeah, a bike probably tracks in half of what a person's shoes do!

Brian, just get your filthy bicycle outside where it belongs.


lol

It is likely a fire code violation to have anything in that stairwell, as it is likely a fire exit. I would look for another secure place for the bike and remind them why the outside rack is insufficient for all day, every day use.

If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance.

Huh? like they've provided a signed promise for every car sitting in the parking lot?

And for all you people talking about fire escapes and exit routes... did you actually look at the picture?

--------

Anyway, fighting property management on something like this is going to typically be fruitless. They are going to be very protective of any common space. I'd say find a place inside the office for it. Later on, try the stairwell again.

Then again, it could have been left by the cleaning people who are just pissed that you took over their vertedero.

It is likely a fire code violation to have anything in that stairwell, as it is likely a fire exit. I would look for another secure place for the bike and remind them why the outside rack is insufficient for all day, every day use.

If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance.

I bet the fire code restricts combustible material from be stored in the fire exit. The boxes themselves are a violation.

Yeah, although I didn't list it in my OP, I was wondering about the fire code issue. It is indeed a fire exit, but where the bike is parked doesn't block safe egress. (I'm surprised there's not a railing across, as I've seen in other buildings.) But I guess that doesn't matter, right?

Actually, my manager rides to work on occasion, mostly during the summer, but probably not as much now. He kept his bike in an area with unoccupied cubicles, but those have since been moved into. There's also another manager in the group that rides to work on a more regular basis. I don't know where he parks his bike, but I do know he doesn't keep it in his office. Also, I've seen another bike in the mirror image stairwell on the other side of the building - but no sign there (yet). If we all used the rack it would overflow.:D

Interesting to hear that security doesn't necessarily report to HR. I know security here reports to corporate security - but I figure on the local level the local security head has to report to someone locally, whether it's HR or the office manager - I have to find that out. Although I would probably only elevate the issue after I find an indoor storage solution that doesn't involve a potential fire code issue. This is a unique situation, as the company is currently desperate for qualified people, and I'm thinking HR would be a little more flexible than normal if it would keep employees happy.

I know the real answer is to organize all the bike commuters into a commuter club and speak with a louder voice, but unfortunately all of us are too busy to take the lead on that.

I know some fire codes prohibit storage of any kind (even enclosed such as a closet) under stairwells in commercial/public buildings. The reason is not (just) egress, but to prevent any combustible materials being under the fire exit stairs.

Al

Ah, the combustible materials thing makes sense, thanks.

Fire code violation for ANYTHING to be in the stairwell. Our building owners actually took it to the extreme, and had a contractor come in and build a store room where the bicycle and boxes are in the original post's picture. So they can still store stuff there, but it's no longer in the stairwell. :rolleyes:

I think it is better to determine the problem with the bicycle parking situation and suggest ways to fix it. Make it better for everybody, not just yourself.

I think this is a case of unrealistic expectations. I don't think your employer or building management has a duty to provide you with secure indoor bike parking. They don't do that for cars either, do they?

Especially if it as a fire hazard or safety hazard don't expect them to give in to your 'demands'.

One option would be to convince them that indoor bike parking scores major brownie points towards a LEED certification. If you are in a big city like Chicago thay may work, because the LEED certification rubs off on the Mayor. (Hey! Look! We are a green city!)
Duppie

I would say if you have to move your bike, they have to move the trash. That being said, just get a second lock, leave it on the rack, and lock your bike outside. What's it take five minutes to lock up and strip your bike of it's lights? I guess I'm a little unsympathetic as I have to lock up in front of a college known for bike theft. It's not like you have to worry about it raining on your bike either, wel exept for today.

Boxes are definitely a fire code violation - just about anything at all in an emergency stairwell would be.

When we moved offices, we commuters approached our own company to improve the bicycle parking facilities and recommended the kind of racks we wanted. Company and building owners split the cost and we got just what we wanted. Don't go just to complain, go with a proposed solution - a different kind of rack or in a different place.

I would say if you have to move your bike, they have to move the trash. That being said, just get a second lock, leave it on the rack, and lock your bike outside. What's it take five minutes to lock up and strip your bike of it's lights? I guess I'm a little unsympathetic as I have to lock up in front of a college known for bike theft. It's not like you have to worry about it raining on your bike either, wel exept for today.
Well, that's true, it's not the end of the world if I have to lock the bike to the rack outside. But it doesn't mean I shouldn't aim for something better - that won't happen unless I try, and the worst I can do is end up with the bike on the rack. I do like the suggestions to go to the company with a solution, not a problem.

I don't see a problem here. They provided you with a parking area and a rack in, I gather, a reasonable manner. Do people working there ignore the parking lot and put their motor vehicles wherever they see fit?

By all means, try to improve the cycle facilities, but I'd suggest not taking the track of getting an exception for oh so special you.

I started work at a new office location (but same employer) this week. Today was the second day I commuted by car. Rather than use the parking spaces immediately outside the entry door and have to remove my personal items, I parked under an inside stairwell (less than five feet from the entry door) as shown in the attached photo. I figure the car's not in anyone's way, especially if I'm parking next to some boxes that say "basura" (trash in Spanish) on them.

When I came back to the car this evening for the ride home, there was a "please park cars in the designated area outside" placed on the wall next to the car, obviously put there by security.

I plan to talk to security about the situation, but despite the fact that I can't think of any good reason why I can't park under the stairwell, I bet they're going to insist that I park my car in the outside spaces, if for no other reason than "because the parking lot's there and that's where the cars are supposed to be". I do have a big enough cubicle for the car, but then the car might get in the way of my guest chairs, so I really don't want to fall back on that option.

My gut feel is that I'm going to have to elevate this past security, possibly up to HR. For various reasons, any solution involving spending money won't happen. Has anyone else been in this situation before and have tips/advice to offer?

^^Oh that's silly. Everyone knows that cars aren't bikes. :p

To my surprise, a lot of more people than I expected responding here would simply park their bike in the rack and be done with it. In my view, there's a number of factors that would determine whether or not parking in a rack is suitable - such as which bicycle I'm using, rack type, and rack location. Accommodating the needs of people parking cars is well-known by architects/designers, but the same cannot be for bicycle parking.

Parking under the stairwell is clearly off the table due to the fire code issues. I'm tempted to just carry my bike into the front door and over my cubicle and see what happens. Maybe it will turn out just like my experience with bikes in hotel rooms - if you ask to permission to bring the bike in a hotel room they will say "no", but if you just roll it in without asking they don't object.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but stairwells = fire escapes. Neither the boxes nor the bike should be there. You should go to security and tell them that the boxes are a safety hazard and that the fire marshal might not like finding them there. I'm sorry. You're going to need to find a different place to lock your bike. :(

I love this... how often do you climb underneath the stairs to escape a fire?

But don't worry... dumb rules exist everywhere.

what does the sign say on the wall white piece of paper?

I had the same parking. The only issues we had were the bicycles were locked.
So we just removed the locks. bike not very combustible, can be removed, and can't hide any one.

Maybe it will turn out just like my experience with bikes in hotel rooms - if you ask to permission to bring the bike in a hotel room they will say "no", but if you just roll it in without asking they don't object.

You're staying in the wrong hotels! :p

One hotel in particular here is almost a sponsor of our brevets... when we were riding the longer brevets, they let me nap in the lobby, and even fed me, despite me not having enough money to rent a room for the nights of the ride.

To my surprise, a lot of more people than I expected responding here would simply park their bike in the rack and be done with it. In my view, there's a number of factors that would determine whether or not parking in a rack is suitable - such as which bicycle I'm using, rack type, and rack location. We're not aware of how this is contrary to your needs. feel free to articulate. Accommodating the needs of people parking cars is well-known by architects/designers, but the same cannot be for bicycle parking. Again, feel free to try and elevate the cycle accommodations for all.

Parking under the stairwell is clearly off the table due to the fire code issues. I'm tempted to just carry my bike into the front door and over my cubicle and see what happens. Maybe it will turn out just like my experience with bikes in hotel rooms - if you ask to permission to bring the bike in a hotel room they will say "no", but if you just roll it in without asking they don't object. Hotels I've been in are very accommodating in this regard.

In my view, there's a number of factors that would determine whether or not parking in a rack is suitable - such as which bicycle I'm using, rack type, and rack location. Accommodating the needs of people parking cars is well-known by architects/designers, but the same cannot be for bicycle parking.

Which bicycle you're using- If you can't lock it to a rack all day without worrying about it, then you're using the wrong bicycle. If you couldn't park your car in the parking lot all day without worrying about it, then you'd be driving the wrong car.

Rack type- I agree that some racks are better than others, but you know what type of rack your workplace has and you have plenty of time to plan accordingly.

Rack location- Around here you'd be lucky to have a rack at all. How far away is your rack, anyway? My workplace doesn't have a rack, but a big company down the street has a nice one, so I trespass and use it. I just mapped it and it's 0.4 miles away. I've never thought of it as a big deal. It's actually nice to walk a little bit to warm up or cool down.

If you're so bent on parking inside, have you asked anyone if there's some other place you can keep your bike during the day? One of my bosses found out that I park down the street and he offered to let me keep my bike inside. I told him no. In my situation I actually feel like the bike is safer outside.

If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance.

And when they answer that worthless bluff with: "Fuggedaboutit," what is the next step?I have never had to figure out a “next step”, the idea has always worked for me. But with the type of attitude you post with, I can understand why such a suggestion would never work for you.

Talk to your manager, see if he has an alternative indoor parking spot. It's always easier to work through the chain of command if you can.

I attend a community college that has a two bike racks on campus. It's not a particularly large campus, but there are numerous parking lots around each of the buildings. I lock my bike wherever I please, inside or out, and I justify it because of the ample parking space allowed for cars. There should be a rack for every building, if not a rack for every entrance. I contacted administration. They didn't think the campus needed more racks. Security told me not to leave my bike by one of the entrances once, but that's only because they usually park their golf cart there.

Hopefully more and more people will ride their bikes to work and school, and bike lockers will become commonplace here in the States instead of the odd rarity. Even a locker is cheaper and smaller than a parking space for a car. This doesn't really help you, sorry.

We don't have a bike rack outside but the other guy (commutes on occasion) found one on sale and brought it in so now we have a bike rack in the stairwell. It's been there for six or seven months, no one has raised any issues with it.

To the OP, I had this same issue at a previous place of employment and ended up walking around the building and doing some thinking about a better place for a bike rack than right near the front entrance. I found a side entrance to the building that was for employees only, and it had a very large covered over patio area adjacent to the entrance that was not used by anyone for anything. Luckily I was on good terms with some of the bosses at this place and got the bike rack moved to this covered bike parking area.
Now I work at a place that has fully enclosed bike lockers near the rear employee entrance door to the building. These bike lockers were installed maybe 20 years ago by a government funded defense industry contractor who occupied this building who probably got an absurd tax deduction for putting it in. I have used my bike locker here for almost 8 years and it is wonderful to keep the bike from baking out in the sun or whatever other weather is going on, and to have it locked up and out of sight. At this work place, lots of the big chiefs like bike riding so they are even thinking about adding more lockers some day. That's really the key, get a couple of the bosses on your side and toss them some hints about a "green" campaign and how easy and inexpensive it would be to put in bike lockers.

I have never had to figure out a “next step”, the idea has always worked for me. But with the type of attitude you post with, I can understand why such a suggestion would never work for you.

If the people you work for believe your hot air empty threats, they must be pretty darn stupid. And they are your bosses? Hmmm...

If the people you work for believe your hot air empty threats, they must be pretty darn stupid. And they are your bosses? Hmmm...Interesting what you declare as "threats".:rolleyes:

Interesting what you declare as "threats".:rolleyes:

OK. "Empty headed demands on management without any merit or backing" may be a more accurate description of your suggestion for the OP.

Empty headed...A good discription of most of your post.

A good discription of most of your post.

Sure thing, smart guy. Mind revealing the text of the signed reply of your bosses, or any management officials anywhere to a demand/insistence/request (or whatever you call this "stuff") for signed promises of security and their liability for your bike?

"If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance."

This thread makes me think I should start talking to people and getting an assurance that I'll never having to worry about this. I currently park my bike in an empty office cubicle which happens to be right next to mine. As we grow, I don't want to be forced to park outside.

We currently have one or two racks outside, but there is no way in hell I will park out there. For one thing, why park outside in the elements when I can park inside and no one [currently] complains. And the main thing is that we have cars broken into on a regular basis, so I don't exactly feel safe leaving my bike anywhere outside.

And when they answer that worthless bluff with: "Fuggedaboutit," what is the next step?

My thinking is a folding bike with a bike bag to conceal the bike when taking it into the office and such.

Why don't you get fancy looking top tube and downtube stickers made up that say "Basura"?

:p

Why don't you get fancy looking top tube and downtube stickers made up that say "Basura"?

:p
It would be an open invitation for someone to take out the trash. Too close to "Free bike, take it".

Sure thing, smart guy. Mind revealing the text of the signed reply of your bosses, or any management officials anywhere to a demand/insistence/request (or whatever you call this "stuff") for signed promises of security and their liability for your bike?

"If they insist you park outside, ask them for a signed promise to insure security of the bike and cover any lose through building insurance."
Never went that high, started and ended with the lowest level security guy just saying, "go ahead and take it in" (after a short, polite discussion and the request for the signature).

You should try a little politeness sometime, it occasionally does work.

Never went that high, started and ended with the lowest level security guy just saying, "go ahead and take it in" (after a short, polite discussion and the request for the signature).

You should try a little politeness sometime, it occasionally does work.

Sweet talking the lowest paid guard just might be the answer - if he is the individual setting the building/company policy on the issue. Insisting on written guarantees for security and liability from someone at that level just might impress/fool such an employee.

When the no bikes inside, or no bikes in exits policy is set by higher management than the the lowest paid guard your grand plan/demand will get just the attention it merits - None.

Demanding signed guarantees for the security of a bike? That's plain ridiculous and infantile.

Many ppl don't even have a rack. Lock your bike up outside, take removeables off if you need to. If it's rainy or you're concerned about exposure to the elements consider one of those bicycle tarps.

It never hurts to ask for an exception. Go see the security mngr and explain why you'd like to keep your bike inside. He'll either say yes or no. If he says no, leave it at that. I wouldn't bother trying to get an override. You'll look like a whiny jerk.

So much stress over nothing.

My company is now looking into moving to a different floor in our building. No bikes allowed.
I get away with this being that we are on the ground floor and I wheel it in the backdoor.
Will I get my panties in a twist if this happens? No.
I will purchase a used fixie and park it at the light rail station or nearby at an office complex with decent racks. The building we are at has crappy front wheel racks.

I pick and choose my fights. This is not one I can win or particularly care about.