mtb_addict

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits restaurant from refuse service base on arbitrary conditions.

I have not heard any convincing reason for refusal of service at drive-thru windows. They're all lame excuses imo.
So, I think there's a case here for the Supreme Court.

Maybelater v. Mcdonald

mrchaotica

I'm not the OP, don't eat at McDonalds (unless somebody else drags me there with them) and don't personally care, so I won't be hiring a lawyer for that purpose any time soon.

However, the point of a web forum is to have a discussion, so why shouldn't I make my arguments here?

That's an interesting angle, especially since "Invisible cyclists" (riders of necessity, not choice) probably constitute a higher percentage of protected minorities than the general car-driving population.

Gresp15C

For years, when I went to the doctor's and got a prescription, I always had them phone it in to the pharmacy, and the nurse asked me if I wanted to use the drive-through window. If I said yes, I got better service: At the drive-through, my prescription was ready when I got there. Inside the store, I would have to wait in line for 10 minutes, and another 15 minutes for them to find my prescription and dicker over my insurance coverage.

If people thought they'd get slightly quicker service at McD's by walking through the drive-through, it would be a mob scene. They have to control the flow of customers. Insurance and safety are a smoke screen.

PaulH

I never understood this drive-through idea. When I go to a restaurant, I expect to sit down.

I-Like-To-Bike

Boo Darn Hoo, the manager allegedly "lied" (i.e. didn't provide to your satisfaction all the in and outs of the "policy" or reasons for such a policy) about something to somebody (not you); how can you/will you ever get over the horror of this outrageous behavior?

Gresp15C

A lot of people like restaurant food, but don't like restaurants. Restaurants in the Midwest are almost always extremely loud, and I don't enjoy shouting myself hoarse just to have a conversation. It's even worse if someone in the party is hearing-impaired. And when my kids were younger, you'd have thanked me for avoiding restaurants.

I'd rather order some take-out, hop on my bike, and then enjoy it at home, the park, or the patio at work. But since having a heart attack in January, my interest in restaurant food has pretty much dissipated.

blue192

I been watching this thread for some time now. And I am still left wondering exactly how is MacDonald's refusing service to us customers? You can eat inside, you can get a to go baggie, Not sure why anyone would want to go through a drive through and try to hold a paper bag in one hand and a coke in the other. And still be able to pedal away on your bike. But either way this thread is certainly entertaining and I read it whilst eating popcorn.

I-Like-To-Bike

Why don't you use the same logic and manipulation of stats to show why there should be no policy to prohibit bicycles from riding in the traffic lanes of high speed Interstate highways.

After all, there are few if any cyclist deaths or injuries occurring in such traffic lanes while there are many involving motor vehicles, ergo Interstate traffic lanes must be safe for cyclist use and any restriction on bicycle use on such roads is bogus if the reason stated is "safety", eh?

BTW, I'd estimate the ratio of motor vehicles to bicycles on Interstates might be similar to the ratio of motor vehicles to bicycles in fast food drive through lanes.

bakes1

Well said.
But you are in the wrong thread if you are going to keep writing posts that state the obvious and make total sense.
Too many sensitive people in here afflicted with spandexthelioma

prathmann

If you're actually reading it then it's hard to understand how you could have missed the dozen or more posts which pointed out that many fast food restaurants have extended hours at the drive-thru long after the doors are locked. Some McD's keep their drive-thru open 24 hours/day while the inside dining area may close at 11pm or so. People working a late shift may want to stop for a snack on the way home and the fast food drive-thru could be the only place that's open.

And while I don't use it to carry any products from McD's, my road bike has a convenient handlebar bag which would let me drop the food bag in and put the Coke under the strap to hold it upright along one side. It would be at least as convenient for this as anything in my car.

bakes1

Yep.
A cup of soda held onto a handlebar bag by a strap along one side is just as convenient as a built in cupholder inside your car for sure
He definitely missed that when he read the thread lol

kevindsingleton 

Thanks for your contribution.

fishboat

337 posts due to not getting a Coke at a drive-up window?? You folks have waay too much time on your hands..

kevindsingleton 

I've yet to manipulate any stats, so your accusation is unfounded. Why not just be honest?

The agencies reporting the statistics don't break out the details of which lanes were occupied, but the numbers are ugly, even so.

How do you estimate without any data? You don't; you just guess.

kevindsingleton 

I actually have a pretty nice cup holder on one of my bikes. Besides, the OP was regarding ice cream, so it's clear that the thread wasn't read, in its entirety. Armchair quarterbacks.

kevindsingleton 

Do you suggest that the policy is in place because it's too inconvenient for cyclists to ride with liquids in containers?

mrchaotica

You underestimate how badly the cupholders in some cars suck. A handlebar bag with a strap sounds like a dream compared to this POS thing that I've resorted to using in my truck (which, inexplicably, has zero built-in ones):



It's terrible at holding drinks upright, but excellent at tipping forward or backward and dumping them all over the seat and floor.

I-Like-To-Bike

The real reason for the "policy" is to rattle the psyche of cycling drama queens and entitled prima donnas who crave McD chow whenever and wherever they want it delivered to them. Obviously it has been effective.

kevindsingleton 

Thanks for your contribution!

ModeratedUser

Their alleged policy. Me personally after dealing with 3 local drugstores on being able to use the service window of their establishment was never shown their policy. The one drugstore that was telling me no (till they were blue in the face) would not show me their policy, but it was their policy. I guess they use that "it's store policy" with alot of customers, cause it works with most.

BTW, the other two drugstores allowed me to use their service window. I've yet to try it with my local Micky D's cause I live less than .5 miles from there. Rather eat something at home really.

ModeratedUser

I never really had a problem with others wanting to use the service window during the day time at the local Micky D's while on a bike. They should be allowed to be serviced at the service window. My problem is people getting denied service on a bike when they (Micky D's) close their doors after hours. The only way for the bicyclist to get a burger is to hustle the people in the cars in line.


No car, no service.

CliffordK

Well, I was out and about yesterday. Bike + Trailer, and I had left my lock at home.

I had a flaky Craigslist seller that said he was 2 hours late, so I had some time to kill.

It was hot, so I was hunting for a smoothie when I saw the local Dairy Queen with a drive through.

I pulled up to the Squawk Box, and nothing. No buttons to activate it. I said "Hello" several times, and nothing. And, no signs saying they don't serve cyclists. So, after I presumed the line around the corner had cleared, I pulled forward to the window. And, was told No Car, No Service.

I asked why... and was told, "You might get hit by a car"

If a car going 2 MPH can't see me, my bike trailer, and flashing rear light, then I can't imagine the restaurant would consider them to be safe on the streets, or even near their restaurant.

Obviously I didn't park my bike and run inside. It may well be the last time I'll go to DQ.

Has there ever been an incident where a bike was hit at a drive-through, and the restaurant was sued?

How many cyclists get turned away? Does it sour them on the whole restaurant chain? Nationwide, it could potentially add up to millions of dollars worth of customers that they're turning away, in markets that some fast food restaurants are struggling.

It looks like Portland has now passed a law, specifically aimed at fast food restaurants that close the lobby, but have the drive-through open for extended hours. (not my case today, but I have had the issue earlier in Portland).

https://bikeportland.org/2018/05/29/...e-users-282407

trailangel

I like DQs in Oregon better than McDs.

I-Like-To-Bike

Next time bring your lock and enjoy your food with less self-induced bile.

I-Like-To-Bike

Probably the current policy is in place, because posting a sign that said "No snowflakes or whining crybabies will be served" might not be considered acceptable by the PC police.