Walter S

Sounds like you don't want to use the drive thru just because it should be your right to sit in the cold and breathe exhaust fumes.

fietsbob

Prefer that? inhale deeply to get the full effect..

Roody

I guess you didn't hear the news that User1 got a drug store to begin letting bikes use the drive-thru now. Yes, the store has a right to make a policy, but any customer has a right to ask them to change it. Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. But if you don't even try, you always lose.

Roody

Plus, he'd rather find a pole to lock his bike to, take a few minutes to lock and unlock it, and go indoors on a beautiful day. That's his choice--but it's always nice to even have a choice.

fietsbob

VA Mails My Stuff to My House ..

jfowler85

Gotta love that refill line.

Walter S

I just walk my bicycle in with me. No muss no fuss.

Roody

What would you do if the store doesn't allow that, as some around here do not? Would you protest to the manager, take your business elsewhere, or just let it be?

Also, I don't understand why people think it's safe to lean their bike against a wall inside the store. Every time I see one, I can't help but think how easy it would be to hop on it, and be 5 miles away before the owner even notices that it's gone.

Or do you wheel the bike through the store with you? How would that work on Black Friday?

Siu Blue Wind

Around here, if you leave your bike outside, lock or not, it's gone. I often encourage people who have bikes to bring them in with them, and TAKE it with them. Do not lean it against a wall, because it IS a safety issue. One person bumps it, knocks it or anything else and it falls on a customer, we get sued.

cooker

Are you saying that as a staff, you encourage people to bring bikes in, but it might lead to increased liability for the business? I'm not sure you should be putting yourself at risk by giving that advice - if there is a lawsuit, management might turn on you.

Ekdog

To tell the truth, when the bridge protests began, cycling had already become popular here, but the lesson to be learned is that you should never keep quiet just because you think you don't have much support for what you're doing. You might be surprised by how many people there are out there who share your views.

Siu Blue Wind

No, as management, I represent corporate when I say to the customer that I would RATHER people roll their bikes with them when entering than to bring them in, prop them up against a wall or a display or product and leave it there un attended. Also better than leaving it outside.

gregf83 

I become a repeat offender. I've been going to the pharmacy in a Safeway for a couple of years every 3 months or so. Last time after I finished picking up my prescription I tried to stop for a coffee at the Starbucks within the store but was hassled by the Security guard. This Safeway happens to be in a shady area (hence the presence of a security guard). Next time I'll take my bike inside again and take my chances.

Siu Blue Wind

Just remind him gently that because of the crime in the area (hence his job), that you don't want to leave your bike out there yet you do want to give the company business, and promise to keep the bike with you, safely out of the way of other patrons. Maybe that will work?

Roody

That's what I would do. Nine times out of ten, it works. But in the tenth case, you have to do something more drastic, or just let it ride.

ModeratedUser

I'd much rather be walking my bike through the store rather than propping it up somewhere. If I'm asked to do that going into a store, I'd ask the person telling me to do that; "Are you going to be responsible if it comes up missing?" I've asked that when they tell me to leave my hydro-pack at the front of the store. Last time I asked, the person declined that responsibly and let me wear it in the store.

ModeratedUser

I tried to do my first bike roll through at the service window this past Wednesday. I did approach it thinking I had some new found freedom, but it looked like the times didn't improve. Again I was refused service. I contacted the 1 800 Rite Aid number today and had my call returned ~2-3 hours. The manager of the store called and he said he'll get it resolved and to come on in today if I could. I did and was able to be serviced at the window. I guess this is called growing pains.

Do give props for Rite Aid's ability in getting back to someone when a complaint is logged.

Siu Blue Wind

Well in all honesty, and in my opinion, it's not the responsibility of the shop keeper if the bike is missing. It's the owner's responsibility to bring a lock and lock it up outside. I personally (maybe it's because I own bikes) would rather have them walk it in and keep it with them. I have never had an incident of injury when a person rolls his bike with him. I HAVE had incidents when people prop it up against a display or wall.

ModeratedUser

I would think it is if the rep of the store tells the customer that they can't bring in the bike or hydro-pack. I could see if the owner of the bike or hydro-pack just parked it at the front of the inside of the store on their own, but if you are being "asked" to park it, then the person doing the asking takes the responsibility of making it secure. That's the way I see it anyways. I mean it great that you allow owners of their bikes to take it in the store. It's what I would do too if I was in charge of a supermarket. I'm assuming that's what we're talking about when we say "store". I guess a store can also be a CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens.

Roody

So do people wheel the bike through the grocery store with them? Do they at the same time push a cart or carry groceries in their hands? Do they negotiate their bike through the candy and magazines at the cashier stand? Do they hold it up while they're ringing up and bagging their groceries at the self-serve checkout?

Would they hold the bike while standing in line at the counter in a fast food restaurant? What wouold they do with it while putting ketchup on their fries and dispensing their self-serve beverage and ice cream?

All of these options seem very poor. It seems like they would cause "incidents", especially in a store crowded with other shoppers or diners. Wheeling the bike through the store or restaurant would be both inconvenient for the cyclist and annoying for the other customers and the retail employees.

It would be much better if the cyclists were provided with good locking facilities in a secure location...and if they were also allowed to use the drive-thru wherever there is one.

JBHoren

+1 ^^^^^^

wolfchild

Nope I never do that...I lock my bike next to a lamp post or a sign post and walk in...I just fail to see how anybody could push a shopping cart full of groceries and a bicycle at the same time, especially when it's very crowded.

ModeratedUser

I fail to see how and why someone with a bike would buy a shopping cart full of groceries. Yes it possible, but not likely. So really his scenario would almost never happen. For the one example mentioned above, I went to a Black Friday sale once, to Best Buy and was 3rd in line (camped). I arrived via bike and went home via taxi.

fietsbob

Own a Brompton with a rear rack .. and the front shopping bag, you can roll it around on the 4 rear rack wheels and the front tire .

And put your stuff in the front bag , then take it out to be paid for, then put it back in.

Siu Blue Wind

Well, it's the same thing if they bring their car. If the parking lot is full and they park the car on the street (rather than the middle of the aisle of the lot) that is their liability not ours.

It's their choice if they brought their bike. We provide three bike racks outside. It's not our responsibility of they have a lock that is easily compromised. (Which is why I still allow them to bring it in).