Starbucks Discouraged Bike Riding
 

Did anybody else read this article about a Starbucks regional manager telling a store manager that riding bikes to work is unprofessional? It seemed very unfortunate to me. Here's the link.

http://bikeportland.org/2006/10/17/s...aged-bike-use/

(I also posted this under Advocay but I wanted to post it here too.)

Portland is known as a bike friendly city too. Thats a sad thing. I will be a Peete's coffee customer from now on.

That is unfortunate. I am glad Fabian moved on.

Too bad the reporter didn't ask Starbucks' marketing department "what is Starbucks policy toward bicycle commuting?"

Of course, because working at Starbucks is the height of professionalism.

I was thinking the same thing.

OK, I just asked Starbucks the aforementioned question with reference to the article. I will report any response I receive.

I would have continued to work there but switched to bibs and skinsuits for the ride in... I'd also make sure that I pushed myself so that I'd be hot and sweaty when I got there...

I like annoying worthless managers! :D

That's not bad, or buy the biggest heap of a car from a junkyard and park it right in front of the store.

Make sure that it has a horrible exaust system and needs to warm up for at least 10 minutes before it moves....

Boo... Good thing i don't go to starbucks to begin with. :D [so i can spend my $$$ on other things like computer/car/bike parts] :lol:

Well, wait a minute fellas, I mean I would understand if he would show up to "district meetings" all sweaty, don't you think? But when it comes to working daily I do not think that should be a problem. Just my 2 cents.

I was directed to an existing post on the subject. Here's the link.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=237851

Starbucks - "If you want coffee really bad, we have really bad coffee."

Starbucks doesn't promote free trade coffee anyway, so I don't drink there. Coffee Bean all the way.

Another Peet's fan here...

Yeah, +1 on Coffeebean, Urban, you're from the SFV aren't you? Hah!

Yeah, is that a valley thing to do or something? My wife and I just try to be somewhat geologically sensible. She didn't want me to buy her a blood daimond for her ring, we recycle what we can, etc. Actually, she doesn't even drink coffee, but her former schoolmates were very anti Starbucks for that reason.

I'm a poor man so I stick to te home brew anyways. I can get a Double Double meal for the price of one cup of coffe.

IMO, I think all companies should promote bike riding. I'm lucky that here at work, about 11 of us have bikes and ride alot. We even got the company to pay for some jerseys.

Agree entirely. Showing up to a Corporate meeting with the same clothes as you rode your bike on is very unprofessional. Whether bike commuters like to hear it or not, some professions require good decorum and hygene. Unless there is a shower at work, will limit certain people from riding bicycles to work.

+1 for Peet's

I agree - but doesn't seem a little extreme that he was transferred to a store much further away as a result?

My question to Starbucks was simply "what is Starbucks policy toward bicycle commuting". Here is the response I received from them. (I have no idea who Mickey is, I used my real name in my correspondence to them. I have a feeling it was a cut and paste from another response.)




Hello Mickey,



Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.



Recently, comments were made online about an incident which occurred between a Starbucks district manager and store manager Fabian Mills in Portland, Ore. regarding his bicycling to work. The portrayal of this exchange as presented by Mr. Mills in this online article is false. The concerns raised by the district manager were regarding Mr. Mills' arriving late to a meeting and being disheveled in appearance, not about his riding a bicycle to work.



Starbucks has a long history of supporting alternative transportation commute options for our partners (employees). Starbucks encourages partners to use alternative transportation; in fact, in 2005, 29 percent of our partners at the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle participated in alternative commute programs, including bicycling to work. Additionally, Starbucks was the title sponsor of the Seattle Bike to Work Day 2006 in May.



Starbucks hosts a Biking Club as part of Partner Connections, a program designed to encourage partners to participate in activities outside of the everyday work environment. This Biking Club also encourages partners to ride their bicycles to work.



In Oregon, Starbucks is a regular sponsor of Providence Bridge Pedal, Portland's annual community cycling event. Starbucks has also worked with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to encourage and reward residents who cycle as an alternative means of transportation, including Starbucks partners.



Again, thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.



Sincerely,



Rachel A.

Customer Relations Representative

thats a pretty disgusting thing to say...

I don't go to Starbuck because I actuall like good coffee!

To discourage a healthy habit i find that quite rude:mad:.