paperbackbiker

So I'm trying to combine my after work chores with my commute, right? And the other day I'm depositing a check and I think, why would I go through the hassle of locking my bike up in front of the bank, stand on line with my helmet on sweating on that nice marble floor when I could just ride right up to the old drive up window? So I'm sucking the exhaust from two SUVs and I get to the window, wondering if I made the right decision. The dopes in the SUVs don't even turn off their engines despite the little sign they have there. Finally I get to the window and the teller is giving me the old hairy eyeball and is a little perturbed, you could tell, by the fact that I was so close to the window. Truth be told, I was balancing myself by putting my hand on the little ledge there. Not on the window, mind you, just on the ledge below the window. Then she asked for an ID (for a deposit?!) So, weird. I was thinking, is this what discrimination feels like?! I stuck it to her though 'cause I asked for a balance. I know they hate that. I'm curious if there are any other such stories out there.

cyclist5

Burger King wouldn't serve me and asked me to come in.

paperbackbiker

What the hell?! Hope you drove your bike inside.

erileykc

I would have taken that as a sign and found some real food.

RyanCG

A few of our fast food restaurants have signs on their windows that say Autos Only or some variant of that. They claim it is for the safety of their workers. It kinda ticks me off.

paperbackbiker

Why would fast food workers feel unsafe if I am riding a bicycle? Is my little bell too loud? Are fast food workers generally prone to cyclophobia? (Fear of bikes, really.) Possibly motorcycles can be more intimidating (See Easy Rider) than a commuter on a bike, but how dare they lump all two wheeled vehicles into one lump. That's discrimination right there. My Surly ain't no Harley.

RyanCG

It seems like they are trying to lump bicyclists and pedestrians in the same group. It really makes no sense to me! :-/

My g/f and I ran into this issue a few months ago while we were walking. Her and I had been enjoying some adult beverages and wanted food, so we walked from our apartment to McDonalds. Only the drive-thru was open and they told us they couldn't serve us since we were not in a car. So very stupid if you ask me.

Metal Man

I ride through the bank drive through all the time with no problem. I did it this winter with my full face mask on under my helmet, but I usually went to the outer "tube" lanes. I thought that might go over better.
I rode through the CVS window the other day with no problems.

Radials983

The "Drive-Thru" by concept is catered toward tapping into the very large "lazy" demographic. Much like nacho cheese on broccoli, you violate this by riding your bike through it.

Side Note: I rode my bike through the bank drive-thru the other week. It was the ATM portion so I didn't get any comments from the peanut gallery.

dedhed

I do the bank and drug store all the time rather than bring my lock and screw around locking it up.

adaminlc

I generally hate drive-through's out of principle, but I have taken my bike through the Walgreens drive-up line a few times. They look at me kinda funny, but that's it. Most of fast food places here have the signs stating that they won't serve anything but cars.

sudo bike

In my experience fast-food drive-thru's very often won't let you use it. I make a point of letting them know that they've lost my business because of it and move on. Pharmacies, banks, and things of the like are usually a better about it. YMMV.

Lot's Knife

So these fast-food places toss your order in the garbage and tell you to move on? In my experience they don't know what kind of vehicle you are until you get to the payin' stage. Seems inexplicable to halt a transaction that was mutually agreed upon just because you don't have a combustion engine or the right number of tires. This is a shortage of common sense.

sharrn

I've never had a problem with this so far. I usually get a few laughs and "no wonder why I didn't hear the car." Occasionally They'll ask why I don't drive and I just explain a few of the benefits of commuting by bike.

Zaneluke

Why didn't you just use the ATM? Modern technology is a great thing. Deposit checks in the atm and most everything else you can do online.

FKMTB07

The person actually serving you (or not), couldn't possibly care less about you taking your business elsewhere. They care more about not getting fired for serving someone on their bike in the drive through because they're manager has made it a rule to only serve people in cars.

Mr IGH

If you're planning to commute regularly, I recommend you get a much thicker skin. I always try to get them to smile, it's a woman, use your manly charms....

ItsJustMe

Yes, I'm sure they throw the food in the trash. Restaurants throw a TON of food in the trash, sometimes I think they throw out more food than they serve.

I haven't tried going to a drive-thru, but if they told me I couldn't, I'd definitely bring my bike inside.

powerhouse

Try Maine! A few years ago, legislation was passed here making it so that establishments with drive -thrus can't turn bicyclists away. The reason of not doing business with bicyclists in the drive thru due to "the safety of the workers" is now nothing but a lame excuse. Some businesses now encourage bicyclists to do transactions at the drive thru if they choose. The big fast food chains still try to discourage this but it's getting much more difficult for them.

bluefoxicy

strap a lawn mower engine to your rear rack and rev it a few times so it makes noise and spews exhaust fumes, then tell them to give you your damn food-substitute.

Insurance contracts dictate their liability coverage for various things, and apparently they can't get umbrella insurance for pedestrians. The insurance contract may specifically state that you must be a "motor vehicle," in which case you can get by with an electric bicycle; or a vehicle required by state law to be "registered and insured," in which case you need something that requires insurance (car, motorcycle); or specify a "pedestrian" as including a bicyclist; or just not specify and say "no pedestrians," in which case you need to argue in court about state laws and contract specifics and whatnot.

In any case, the moment there is a dispute, the two parties involved will both incur lots of financial damage in the lawyering process. They can safely and legally turn you away for any reason, so they do that instead; it's cheaper and easier.

xtrajack

Under Maine law, a bicyclist is allowed to legally use drive up facilities (at our own risk).

dcrowell

I regularly use the drive-thru at the bank and the drug store. It's much more convenient that locking up and going in. I haven't done it at a fast food restaurant, partially because eating fast food is a very rare occurance for me, and partially because I use to work in fast food, and know that don't normally allow bicycles.

I've never had an issue in drive-thrus. People have always been friendly. Sometimes they are curious, especially in bad weather.

AltheCyclist

I use Walgreens time-to-time and they never blink about the bike. I have never had any fast food chains turn me away but I've seen the signs posted that they won't serve cyclists. I suspect they are worried about getting sued or scaring the workers, maybe? I.e. someone walks up, they appear they might rob the place? More likely, cyclist gets hit by a car in line and sues the restaurant.
Unfortunately, they have a good point - any extra liability makes their insurance costs higher and really isn't their fault. Common sense v. legal, not the first time.....

fietsbob

as a member of a Locally based Credit Union, I have no issues ,
They have an side entry hallway. I can take my bike in and park it,
No locking needed.

What is an Issue of drive up windows is that Really greasy patch
where the cars and trucks stop and the leaks of oil accumulate,
stay way from that center spot!

[that may be part of their liability issues, Sign away Bicycles,
(who may crash in the greasy patch, the ongoing presence of which
can be construed as a neglect, perhaps negligence,
but thats what courts decide,)
rather than clean it up, regularly, is of course, cheaper]

Prefer the Taco Truck to the Chain fast food joints, myself.

I-Like-To-Bike

Thou dost whine too much. What exactly was the problem?
The teller didn't shower you with praise for riding a bike and saving the world and admire your fine physique? Too darn bad, grow up!


You expected motorists to shut their engines off while in the drive-up window lane? Let us know if that ever occurs, anywhere.