Lalato

I thought this was so funny, I had to share...

I went to an outdoor concert last night... riding my folder, of course. After the show I stopped at a local drinking establishment and had an adult beverage. Small place, the people are nice... enjoyed my beverage and then decided to head home as I had to work in the morning.

On my way home, I spotted my roommates bike outside another watering hole so I decided to stop in. I folded up, brought my bike inside and the doorman said... "you can't bring the bike in here, it violates the fire code". Baffled... I said "Huh, that doesn't make sense."

The doorman then repeated his earlier statement. Since my folder is not much larger than a big duffle bag, I asked... "What if I put this in a bag, can I bring it in then?"

The doorman then asked the bartender/manager to confirm. The bartender essentially repeated the fire code thing. At this point, I decided it would be best to leave and just go home. No need to get upset over stupidity.

What's funny is that I've brought my bike into a lot of bars and no one has ever said anything about a fire code violation. So I went home and looked up fire codes for my area... and, as you might guess, there is no such code.

My guess is that the bar just has a zero tolerance no bicycle policy... but they throw the fire code thing out there to make it sound like they're not the "bad guys". Oh well... just need to remember not to go there when I have my bike. LOL

bhkyte

Anything can be a fire hazard,not covered by our insurance,health and safety issue .....................................(insert general rationale here)
We can not think of a valid reason......................................
It does not fit our general experience, most be a problem, lets ban it!

ratdog

Lalato,

Any establishment must keep a reasonable clear path of travel to the fire stairs/exits (this width also varies based on occupancy and region). Usually this means furniture that is not movable, but can also apply to stuff like boxes, cabinets or even a "bike" that may block this path of travel. People do not count, but there are maximum occupancy numbers the bar must adhere to.

Obviously the particular establishment was screwing with you. Unless of course it was extremely crowded and there was really no place to place your folder at the bar.

bhkyte

This would not happen if the item was a suitcase, a bag,shopping,laptop,

It is because in some peoples eyes bikes belong outside, folding bikes can confuse some people to having to invent a pseudo plausible rationale to exclude them for some reason.

I have similar experiences in using rollerblades to commute. One security guard asked me to change out of them whilst in the car park ! Another women though I should not use them on the roads in a hospital grounds. Another person shouted that I should use the skate park instead of looking at a fun fair he worked in.

A bus drive once told once that I could not bring my folding bike on. He said that bikes were not allowed. I explained that it was a folding bike. He said " it should not really be allowed". I realised he had not said I definitely could not ,so I ignored him and put the money in the slot anyway and stated my destination. He issued my ticket. Next time I may put the bike in a huge suitcase or pram!!

wahoonc

It was an excuse, pure and simple. No rationalization necessary.

Aaron

folder fanatic

This is an excellent example of (gasp) Bike Prejudice. You can fold the bike up, collapse it down, tuck it away but if someone sees it out in the open like exposed underwear, you get some weird comments or major attacks by control freak "representatives of authority" (which includes bouncers & bartenders I'm sure). I think people really think bikes are for kids or at least relegated outside with the bike thieves as bike loss is not their problem.

Combating Bike Prejudice

The best way to stop this legally and socially sanctioned last prejudice from rearing it's ugly head is-hide the fact. Bag the Bike out of view before you enter the building where these jokers operate (like I do) and you should be fine.

Print out the results of your fire codes research for additional protection against this weirdness.

ratdog

Yes it could if the package was the size of a folded up bike and the place was packed shoulder to shoulder with no place safe to put the bike. Merely pointing that out since the OP did not elaborate on the conditions.

folder fanatic

Ratdog,

I have taken at least 2 of my folding bikes with me during periods of heavy crowding due to some special event. No one batted an eye, and I was able to store the bike under the table even during large movement of bodies during the said events. I keep the bike with me at my side all the time like any other valuable possession. While my bikes are generally bagged, I do make it a point to tuck them away somewhere no feet are. It works so far.

ratdog

Folder Fanatic,

Well, good for you that it made it under the table. I am merely leaving open the possibility that the OP was going to stand at the bar with a folded up bike next to him/her that did not fold as compact as a "Brompton". As far as what I said in my first post, it's the laws, I am merely saying what fire codes usually ask for. Everyone is jumping to the conclusion that there's "bike prejudice" involved. It very well might be & I've even said that in my post, but the OP did not give enough info to really come to that conclusion at this time.

Lalato

Just to add a point of clarification. There were 6-10 people in the bar. The bar can easily hold 50+. It was a midweek night and there was no expectation that the bar was going to be crowded that night.

I agree that there are valid reasons to not want bikes in the bar if the place is crowded... and I completely accept that the bar may simply have a standing policy of not allowing bikes inside. I just thought the fire code excuse was funny. Besides, I've been to several bars and restaurants with my bike... and I've never had anyone bring up fire codes... nor have I had anyone not allow me to keep the bike in a quiet corner away from people.

It's just a funny anecdote. No need to get riled up about it.

chainstrainer

Show up with a folding wheel chair and see what **** they come up with.

KD5NRH

Maybe somebody should develop a folder that becomes a wheelchair when folded. Let 'em try to tell you you can't wheel yourself in then.

snafu21

I was shooed out of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard a couple of weeks ago for daring to attempt to ravage the military base/tourist attraction with my bicycle. "It's Health & Safety law" mouthed the flunky at the gate, (our version of of an excuse similar to the 'fire-code violation). " You've got to leave the bike outside."

I pointed out to him the that the UK's "Health and Safety at Work Act 1974" legislation only applies to employees, (there's a clue in the name) not customers, and he threatened to call the police. I left.

I was down there only a couple of days ago and watched, open-mouthed, as the same b*st*rd who told me to leave my bike outside, cycled in on his. I would have made a fuss, but armed cops patrol the area, possibly to prevent bicyclists from commiting some vile outrage. I refuse to argue with a loaded Heckler and Koch carbine. Sometimes it is better to flee.

miamimike

I folded my Dahon Mu UNo and took into Church a few weeks ago for a Sunday Mass I was going to. I grabbed the Last Row of Seats and had it leaning against the wall by my seat & out of the way--very low profile. No one said anything but the Pastor after the Service who wants me to return another day so he can take it for a Spin. LOL

A few stores hassled me when I brought it in and in talking to the managers, I pointed it out that this Bike, Folded and wheeled, takes up no more of a footprint then a Mother with her Baby Carriage. End of Arguement, they relented. I fold my Bike and wheel it into the Malls, movie theaters ect., to date, no problem. I'm sure my Age, 6 score+ , may have had something to do with my being allowed to bring my Bike inside. Whatever works....

fietsbob

Salt Lake City, Does the Church let them sell Fire-Water there?

fwiw, placing it in front of a Fire Exit is probably not a good idea..

mulleady

I got apprehended in a fire drill at my University 2 weeks ago for carrying out my Brompton fully folded. He wanted my name but I just said I'm not leaving it in the building and there's no regulation against taking it with me. It wasn't impeding anyone.

It would have been different trying to go back and get it. Some people are just ignorant about folding bikes. I wouldn't even go back to that bar without the bike. If they turn away business with only 6 or so in side then one can laugh at the doorman's stupidity.

folder fanatic

Where in the world are you getting the idea the only folding bike I own is the Brompton? At that event mentioned above, I actually used my little Brompton back-up, the Piccolo. As for cramming anything underneath the table, my 20" Boardwalk has done just as well even in the nicest linen only restaurants (see below for both bike's photos in action-Piccolo in shopping cart/trolley & Boardwalk underneath a fine Chinese cuisine's table-where it is always welcome inside, along with my business).

Perhaps they did not like your looks-who can say what is brewing in some people's minds. +1 in full agreement about not getting riled up about this incident. I look at it as an good reminder of always bringing along a soft cover with the bike.

The two sure fire methods of voting is either with your feet or especially with your wallet. I am sure your bike will be welcomed.....elsewhere.

intheways

+1 on that. There are plenty of establishments to patronize, so fvk the ones that won't let you bring in the folder

mulleady

I've only eve rhad an issue with the Bromptoin with a security guard at WH Smith a large book/magazine retailer in Paddington station. The manager over-rode the the security guard who cited the 'health and safety cliche'. There are too many Brompton/folding bike owners commuting from large London rail stations like Paddington to turn them away.

I never have issues in pubs/restaurants with the Brompton. In fact many pubs even allow the full sized Cadenza folded but I tend to avoid packed places with that bike. I would not be so offended if stopped with the Cadenza but smaller wheeled folders are rarely an impediment and no worse than a large suitcase.

bhkyte

( Or other folders)
+1

Yes, in some placers shops ect could lose a lot of customers. I live in Cycle friendly York and many Bromptons/folders are seen going to or from the city. Many customers will permanently snub a place for a unnecessary turning them away. I don't usually return if this sort of lame excuse is directed at me. Usually going from half fold to full fold is enough to avoid initial problems in my experience.

I stop at shops,cafes, doctors, and work with mine. My mezzo has virtually always been accepted I find. Train station enquires want me to completely fold not just half fold is about the only exception. Only ever had one query on a Nottingham buss with a Dawooe shuttle mentioned above. Never had problems with the Mezzo, Brompton,Merc, or Diblasi which are a bit smaller.

IronMac

Another possibility is that if there was a problem, let's say someone trips over it and is injured then the insurance company may ask the bar if they knew that they'd let in a bike. If so, that's a whole new can of worms.

I'm not saying that the bar was not acting out of some sort of prejudice but most places tend to be a bit more conservative in cases where there's a grey area.

mommus

You do hear about this kind of thing quite a bit. For some reason, if it's identifiable as a bike, The Man seems to view it as some kind of potential threat.

If the same bike were in a bag or suitcase I'm sure most jobsworths wouldnt even bat an eyelid. I guess it's just down to people like train guards and door security (neither of whom aren't usually famed for their intellectual abilities) rigidly interpreting 'no bicycle' rules without actually thinking about why those rules exist, and not realising the difference between folders and full size bikes.

snafu21

I got this from Portsmouth Hysterical Dockyard today, after my email two days ago, asking whether I could bring my bike in:

"Thank you for your enquiry about hiring a venue at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. This is an automatically generated e-mail and you will hear from us within 24 hours or one working day."


Er, right. I don't want to hire the place, I just want to bring my bike in. How hard can modern life be?

mulleady

Snafu21 I got you registered on the national database as a dangerous woman cyclist with a dodgey folding bike. This is why all these venues and security guys have it in for you! ~~~~~~~~~~~

You will be removed from the database when you rightfulyl reclaim your Tango coloured Downtube FS and show up with it to the Hyde Park Folding Society meeting!

PS Bring Cindy with you on her new Yanmobile. We can throw her in the Serpentine lake. She might float ;-)

chucky

I've found the best way to combat this is to simply tell them it's not a bike and continue on your way.

Let them puzzle over whether or not it's really a bike while they run after you.

P.S. This is all the fault of those filthy chain oilers and like minded individuals who perpetuate the myth that bikes are dirty sports equipment.