Roytoy

I've been trying to convince our facilities manager to let me put my bike inside on bad weather days, since we have an enormous factory with thousands of feet of unused space. He refuses to budge on the issue, and kind of acts like a bicycle hater. He says if he lets me put my bike inside he'd have to let all the others put their cars inside, which to me sounds ridiculous. Are any of you commuters allowed indoor storage at work?

mcours2006

That's ridiculous. How do you equate a 25-lb bike to a 2-ton four-wheel monstrosity? Manager is just a jerk, unless there's some safety or fire code reason for it. Maybe you take off both wheels and bring those in. Or maybe leave the wheels outside and bring the frame in.

DiabloScott

I think he is a bicycle hater. There are legitimate reasons to restrict WHERE the indoor bicycle parking can be (fire exits and stairwells eg), but if safe space is available there's no reason it shouldn't be allowed.

Maybe you could offer something in return - like you would mop that area once a week and pick up litter or something.

Roytoy

I tried that. I offered to police a small area and keep it clean and safe. I wanted it to be my mission to promote more commuter cycling, but he won't budge. I'm up against a wall of ignorance.

no motor?

I keep my bike in my main treatment room and since I'm self employed I don't have the worries that you do.

SloButWide 

Casually convince a more senior manager or exec that it's a good idea? Or if you work for a large enough company (God help you), find an ally in HR, "Health and Wellness", or "Green Engagement"? Submit it via the Employee Suggestion Program?

Abe_Froman

I can store mine inside at work. I work at a small car dealership, so I lean it up against a wall behind the car lifts in our service department. My only issue is trying to stay clean and dry enough for the change into shirt and tie...

edit: The irony of bike commuting to a car dealership just dawned on me....

BobbyG

Yes, for 25 years. For a long time I parked in the warehouse/stage. But as we now have a couple of vacant offices, I park in one of them, unless the bike is wet or dirty, then it's back to the warehouse/stage, unless it's being used.

caloso

I think they can use bike parking towards their LEED rating. So that's another avenue.

Roytoy

What's an LEED rating? I need something like this for my argument.

bmthom.gis

We can park ours inside. Used to be able to do it in a hallway leading into the kitchen, but once it was repainted we were relegated to a storage closet. Fine by me, at least it's inside! it was awkwrd at first, as we had 4 of us who would regularly ride, and another 2 who would sometimes ride in. Only 2 of us regulars and one of the occasionals still work here in this building

caloso

It's a green building certification.

Jim from Boston

Indoor Storage at Work?

Last week I posted to this Northeast Discussion Forum, “it's finally raining, who's gonna go play”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim fromBoston

I didn’t ride my 14 mile one way commute to work for fun this morning, about 10 miles in heavy rain, but it was the shakedown cruise for my new beater (but quality) Specialized Diverge Elite road bike. Right now the big fan is drying my clothes for the ride home in about four hours….[see picture below]

On one rain-riding thread, someone described road spray as a mixture of grease,road grime and liquefied road kill...you call that fun?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumrunn6

well done sir! nice setup!...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I have touted my commute, including the destination workplace

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

… Humbly, if Bike Forums ever had a Best Commute Award, I would be a frontrunner.

…an ideal destination for a cycle commuter. I bring the bike inside near my office, and have a place to hang my cycling clothes and a table fan to dry them off. For the most part I wear surgical scrubs all day so I don't necessarily have to clean off on arrival (I shower at home before the ride). I do have shower facilities though, as well as a coffeeshop and cafeteria on site.

Finally, almost all my personal service needs like barber shop, dentist, dry-cleaner/tailor, supermarket and drugstore, and good take-out restaurants are all within walking distance [of work], or a short hop on the bike. A bike shop is two blocks away.

Not to brag, but to illustrate the possibilities.

Heeathersh

I didnt ask- but im a public school teacher and I'm new but my 7th graders thought i was SO COOL

CliffordK

I've had managers frown about it... but I normally didn't ask, and eventually the accepted it.

My first job was swing shift. I carried the bike in the door and set it down. No tracks. One day there were tracks around the office, initially blamed on me... but it was something else.

Another job, I'd leave it outside, but bring it in for thunder showers (which were common). Initially some frowning, but I survived with a mostly dry bike.

You're in a bit of a tough spot since you've already talked to the manager. Perhaps there is a way to go above him without stepping on too many toes. Maybe an indoor bike rack/room? It would be good for security too. Maybe ask for a really expensive outdoor security system? Cars generally have a very different theft exposure.

Point out that it is only temporary, and you're willing to move if the company grows or changes and the space is no longer available.

Outdoor covered area? I hate it when people smoke around my bike, but maybe a covered outdoor lunch area?

KStier

I've never asked permission but I'm a doctor and my names on the door so I just bring mine into my office. It's never seen by patients or staff and I try to avoid being seen in my commuting clothes etc just to keep the whole thing from being showy or too forward. No need to make it an issue with the groups board of directors etc.

GeneO 

Sorry to hear about your hassles. I keep mine in my office, no problem. I wouldn't ride in if I couldn't because I would not risk it getting stolen.

reppans

Bummer. Get a folding bike and store it under your desk.

Bike Gremlin

I'd understand storing inside for theft reasons, but for rain - bike won't melt!

CliffordK

It depends a lot on the bike. I've certainly ridden in the rain many times. But I'd rather not store any bike of mine out in the rain daily, all day. Depending on the bike, most will have a little steel on them somewhere which will rust. It will be hard on chains and bearings.

I think I've also experienced some sun damage to my old bike too.

And I'm generally not riding a $20 commuter.

Bike Gremlin

No offence meant, but I think you're thinking about it too much. It's a tool.

I've had no problems leaving bikes in the rain, in the sun - whatever.

Rust is a problem with winter bike ridden on salty roads, but even then not too much. Good quality steel won't rust if maintained properly even if the bike is left in the rain. If a bolt rusts, it can be replaced. Or left for a vintage look.

Don't get me wrong - I'd always rather store the bike in doors, but when that's not possible, or convenient, I don't sweat about leaving it outdoors.

Wolfhaven

First day I rode to work I was told to put it in my office and not leave it outside. Talked to my boss and he was fully on board with me parking the bike in my office and laying out my sweaty clothes to dry. I arranged file cabinets to make an area that can't be seen if you walk by the doorway to hang stuff up. Grabbed a two drawer cabinet that wasn't being used and turned it into work clothes storage. He even lets me take a long lunch to play hockey once a week so I have no complaints. A couple years ago my company hired a health and wellness coordinator so I get support that way too. Not too shabby for a trucking company to support biking and fitness.

CrankyOne

I've had indoor storage and not had it. Indoor is certainly nice but not a deal breaker in any way.

My primary bikes are Workcycles Opafiets and Omafiets. These can stay outside in all manor or weather for decades with little to no negative impact. I have a saddle cover stuffed under my seat that I'll pull on to keep it dry from rain and snow. Otherwise no problems. I'm often riding to cafés to meet people for coffee, wine, or lunch and I've yet to find any that offer indoor parking.

The majority of bikes in The Netherlands, Denmark, China, and elsewhere stay outside all of the time regardless of weather. It's not a big problem for the bikes nor for the riders. Indoor parking is becoming much more common in NL and elsewhere though. It is certainly nicer to get on a dry bike in a warm and dry room before riding out in to the elements. Employers are increasingly adding this as a perk as are shopping centers and other places. Many flats are doing so as well and a few muni's have added requirements for indoor parking.

SCRcat6

I'm lucky, they let me put a hook on the wall next to my toolbox.

RubeRad

I don't have indoor storage. Back when I used to work in kind of a remote building on our campus, on the first floor, I used to just roll my bike inside and keep it in my cube with me. It was like my 'flair'
But a few years ago our group was moved to the main building, on the 5th floor. I bring my bike inside and up the elevator if I come in on a weekend or something, but usually I'm fine parking the bike in the designated area in the bottom floor of the parking deck (so it's covered).

OP, that's a tough situation you're in. I don't think you want to antagonize this bike-hating senior official. I wouldn't go over his head behind his back, maybe be open about it, go to him again and say something like "I still want to try to figure out a reasonable way to set up some indoor bike storage. I know you don't want it, but who else could I talk to that might be able to change your mind?"