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10-17-01, 04:25 PM
While biking home a few weeks ago (from work, testing to see how nasty the commute was (18 miles, and mostly flat, not bad at all)). I stopped by a Del Taco on the way back to grab a bite, and got so much crap from the manager that I was about ready to introduce him to the Bike Pump of Death (I think he would have tried grabbing my bike and dealing with things himself had I not been between him and it).
Here's a copy of the complaint letter, for your viewing pleaure:
I am a cyclist. Although I own and operate a motor vehicle, I choose to use my bicycle for local travel (anything within fifteen miles of my house), as it is convenient, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and fun.
On Saturday, October 6th, I was riding myb bicycle back from my office, after a trial-ride to test the conditions for a bicycle commute. I stopped by a Del Taco restaurant to pick up lunch, as the food is nominally of good quality and reasonably priced. The restaurant I stopped at, located at 7398 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, does not provide any type of bicycle parking facilities, indoor or outdoor, so I brought my bicycle inside with me.
After placing my order, I leaned my bicycle against a wall to keep it out of the way of other patrons (although the restaurant was empty when I entered), and waited for my food. Shortly thereafter, the manager (who had watched me place my order) informed me that I would have to move my bicycle outside, as they were not allowed in the restaurant -- why he waited until *after* placing my order is, to me, a mystery.
I told him that there were no bicycle racks, or any other suitable facilities for parking a bicycle; and that I would not be leaving an expensive bicycle, which can be easily stolen, outside, unattended. He persisted,
telling me to move my bicycle outside; at which point I informed him that I would happily move the bicycle after my order was complete, and not before.
At this point, he gave me an irritated look and walked into the back of the restaurant; a minute or so later, a different manager asked me to move my bicycle, and a discourse similar to the one with the previous manager ensued.
Although I received my order (which was properly made), I am wholly dissatisfied with the discriminatory treatment offered by the store's management; I was not providing a barrier to other patrons or being otherwise disruptive, and nowhere (visible to me) was a prohibition against bringing
bicycles into the restaurant posted; although a notice forbidding bicycles in the drive-thru was fairly promenant. Even though the county of Sacramento offers financial incentives to install bicycle racks, none were provided, and as such I had no choice but to take my bicycle into the restaurant with me.
In short: Despite the fact that this restaurant is in an ideal location to stop for food on my daily commute to work, I will likely never return because of the shoddy treatment afforded to my because I simply had a bicycle.
Here's a copy of the complaint letter, for your viewing pleaure:
I am a cyclist. Although I own and operate a motor vehicle, I choose to use my bicycle for local travel (anything within fifteen miles of my house), as it is convenient, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and fun.
On Saturday, October 6th, I was riding myb bicycle back from my office, after a trial-ride to test the conditions for a bicycle commute. I stopped by a Del Taco restaurant to pick up lunch, as the food is nominally of good quality and reasonably priced. The restaurant I stopped at, located at 7398 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, does not provide any type of bicycle parking facilities, indoor or outdoor, so I brought my bicycle inside with me.
After placing my order, I leaned my bicycle against a wall to keep it out of the way of other patrons (although the restaurant was empty when I entered), and waited for my food. Shortly thereafter, the manager (who had watched me place my order) informed me that I would have to move my bicycle outside, as they were not allowed in the restaurant -- why he waited until *after* placing my order is, to me, a mystery.
I told him that there were no bicycle racks, or any other suitable facilities for parking a bicycle; and that I would not be leaving an expensive bicycle, which can be easily stolen, outside, unattended. He persisted,
telling me to move my bicycle outside; at which point I informed him that I would happily move the bicycle after my order was complete, and not before.
At this point, he gave me an irritated look and walked into the back of the restaurant; a minute or so later, a different manager asked me to move my bicycle, and a discourse similar to the one with the previous manager ensued.
Although I received my order (which was properly made), I am wholly dissatisfied with the discriminatory treatment offered by the store's management; I was not providing a barrier to other patrons or being otherwise disruptive, and nowhere (visible to me) was a prohibition against bringing
bicycles into the restaurant posted; although a notice forbidding bicycles in the drive-thru was fairly promenant. Even though the county of Sacramento offers financial incentives to install bicycle racks, none were provided, and as such I had no choice but to take my bicycle into the restaurant with me.
In short: Despite the fact that this restaurant is in an ideal location to stop for food on my daily commute to work, I will likely never return because of the shoddy treatment afforded to my because I simply had a bicycle.