nkfrench 

It varies.
I was on a rural group ride where the convention is to regroup at a convenience store 15 miles in and have somebody watch the bikes while others use the restrooms and refill water bottles. No need to bring a lock. But I was so slow to the regroup that as soon as the other cyclists saw me riding into the parking lot, they took off. I really needed to make a pit stop. There was no way I was going to leave my expensive road bike unattended and unlocked outside so I rolled it inside and leaned it up in a hallway at the back of the store. On my way out I grabbed a bottle of water and another bottled drink and stood in line to pay. The cashier yelled at me to get my bike out of their store IMMEDIATELY, before paying. She said none of the other riders brought their bikes in so why should I. I argued strongly and it just made her madder. I didn't have enough water without the purchase to finish the ride so I complied but I was pretty angry. This was a run-down grubby shop and my bike was clean and I wasn't blocking their merchandise nor blocking traffic.

A couple of the downtown sports bars are very agreeable to having groups bring their bikes in. One place let 10 of us stack out bikes up against a wall while we enjoyed a few beverages. They were more than happy to get our money and gain repeat business.

It depends on the layout and if the bikes can be placed where they don't get in the way. I don't try it if a bike would look out of place.

Maxillius

I've seen one place in the greater Lansing area that didn't seem to have a problem with bikes in the building (Okemos Best Buy). Everywhere else is either too small or too judgmental. Lansing is still very car-centric, though it's getting better. Almost nowhere has parking out front, and that's including Grand River Ave. across the street from MSU, which is absolutely ********. All that bike traffic and there's 9 racks for a quarter mile of storefront.

El Cid

I usually bring my bike inside Tim Hortons on my way to work in the morning. Bringing it in saves me a minute or two of locking/unlocking it, and I've never had anybody say a word about it. I probably wouldn't try this at a busier time of day, but at 5:30am there's almost nobody around and the bike isn't blocking anything. In fact, the same two people are working there every morning; they see me roll in and my order is ready faster than I can get my money out.

English3Speed

I used to leave one of my older bikes outside the grocery store around the block (1.5 mi on 45mph road) from my house; the cashiers told me my bike was too nice to leave outside and that I should bring it in. This store and most of the other grocery stores now seem to have entrances with 2 sets of doors; in between is space large enough for benches or even 50+ grocery carts. I generally leave my bike in this area - it's convenient for me and not in anybody's way.

One time about 4 years ago, I did wheel the bike through the store. I think the staff thought it was funny to use the bike like a grocery cart. I explained that I had just bought a new laptop computer, and did not want to leave it in a clearly marked box on the bike rack outside. They fully agreed.

gdhillard

I bring my bike in if it's clean, and if there is no decent place to lock it. I put it out of the way, but in clear sight of a clerk, and ask permission, and note the lack of a bike rack outside. Never had a problem doing this.

gear64

I wonder if I can park my car in the grocery store since my laptop's in there and the locks are broken, and it would save me a few minutes walking across the parking lot.

FBinNY 

If you live near me, and ask politely odds are yes you can.

rommer25

At the 7-11 near my job, everyone just goes in and leaves their bikes outside. I even saw a Surly there one day. The manager sees me every morning and one day told be that I could bring my bike inside and park it next to the counter. So that's what I do now. I'm often wonder why I've never heard of anyone having their bike ripped off there. I have also received some odd looks from other bicycle riders who have left their bikes outside. At other establishments, I have just brought my bike inside and acted as if it was normal and no one yet has said anything to me.

spare_wheel

LOL! Many of the establishments I frequent have dozens of bike parking spots outside in dedicated spaces. I still often bring my bike inside the establishment when I am in a hurry (e.g. picking up take out). I have no problems doing so and do so even at fast food establishments (vegan fast food chain, btw). Some of the bars and cart pods I frequent also have private bike parking inside the boundaries of the establishment so I always bring my bike "inside".

gear64

Nice reply I suppose if you ask politely and proprietor concedes, I don't have much say. However I perceived a tone of entitilement in some sections of the thread. Personally, I would not choose to ask. Whether I label my bike as a vehicle, a tool, a toy, an excercise apparatus I don't think it generally belongs in the typical business establishment. Maybe a lobby, or vestibule; but not in amongst the other patrons. Some other exceptions might be bike shop, or health club. I would choose not to bring it into restaurant, coffee shop, grocery, bookstore...... In full discosure I do bring my bike into place of employment after asking politely. I park it in unused corner of "warehouse", a vehicle space analogous to my garage at home. I would not have been offended if they said no.

spare_wheel

You don't explain why you think this. Moreover, business owners are certainly free to cater to customers who bike so your vague disapproval is pretty much irrelevant.

nkfrench 

I perceived a tone of anti-cyclist attitude from the gas station cashier who would not accommodate a paying customer who was in a bind.

Sullalto

I have a couple times, when I realized I grabbed the wrong bag and forgot my lock or whatever. No issues, but I don't prefer it. I just like having something to lock it to.

Not counting places like a LBS, restaurant with a patio, or explicitly bike friendly place(A bar called "The Bottom Bracket", etc).


I run into issues a lot more reliably when trying to lock someplace visible and convenient. "We have a bike rack in the alley, use it." "I've noticed my lock or wheels have been tampered with twice locking up there. I'll just lock to the front railing, thanks."

onfloat

It greatly reduces the chances of walking home and all the frustration of having your bike stolen. ;-)

I never ask I just do it. If they want my money they won't have a problem with it.

NewPollution

I always have my lock so I've never asked or bothered with bringing my bike inside. At the small (900sqft) pizzeria I manage Ive had one customer get all huffy with me for not allowing him to bring his bike in during lunch on a weekend. "this is a thousand dollar bike" was his response, I told him leaning it out front would be fine and wondered why he didn't have a lock for his precious bike.

I was going to offer him to lock his bike to mine in the back, but he huffed out and rode off.

First post

T

FBinNY 

When someone talks about how you need to let him bring his bike in because it's a $1,000 whatever, tell him that yesterday you made someone leave his $80k Porsche outside.

There are times I'll bring a bike in, but only if the owner/manager is OK with it. They don't owe me permission so it's appreciated when granted, but there's no resentment if it isn't. Outside the Pizzaria here just outside NYC, I lean the bike on a tree opposite the window with the front wheel out of the dropout and the fork draped on top.

Jaywalk3r

A grocery store I frequent allows people to bring their bikes in. It would be much easier to steal one of those bikes than any of the bikes that are locked up outside.