I was Refused Service at McDonalds
05-17-16, 09:26 PM
#26
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I don't know their coverage nationally, but Sonic has a board you order from, you don't even need to get off the bike. Attendants bring the food right to you, like it's still the 1950's. They don't care if you're on foot, a bike, or a lawn tractor.
Watch out for that menu, though. They have at least half a dozen malts over 2,000 calories. Which is just amazing.
I don't think you can take a bike into a drive-thru anywhere in California-- as mentioned before, it's a liability issue.
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05-17-16, 09:34 PM
#28
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I agree except the better neighborhood part. Doesn't matter what neighborhood take your bike inside. No such thing as a crime free neighborhood. The only difference is poorer neighborhoods have bars on the windows, and financially stable neighborhoods have alarm systems.
05-17-16, 09:46 PM
#31
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What do you expect from people who try to make a career with no education and starts at minimum wage? This ha happened to me many times. Even once at bank drive-up window.
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05-17-16, 10:00 PM
#32
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I agree except the better neighborhood part. Doesn't matter what neighborhood take your bike inside. No such thing as a crime free neighborhood. The only difference is poorer neighborhoods have bars on the windows, and financially stable neighborhoods have alarm systems.
05-17-16, 10:24 PM
#34
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I'd just walk my bike inside if I was worried about it's security. I have done this before with good results in grocery stores .
05-17-16, 10:40 PM
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I would have claimed I was blind and started yelling "Discrimination!!" when they refused to serve me. YMMV.
05-17-16, 10:56 PM
#36
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I was out riding tonight on my single speed and didn't plan on any stops so I left my lock at home. I rode by a McDonalds and thought a ice cream would be nice. I couldn't risk leaving my bike unattended so I tried to order at the drive up speaker. I was refused service because my bike is not considered a motor vehicle. I explained that I couldn't leave my bike outside without a lock. They didn't care so I spoke to their manager and got the same answer. Apparently they don't like ride up customers or grumpy old men on bikes. I suggested they don't want my business and was told they don't want my business. So much for that relaxing ride. Am I being hypersensitive or is their corporate policy a few fries short of a happy meal?
Cheers
05-17-16, 11:14 PM
#37
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It is really no secret that fast food joints do not serve anyone not in a vehicle at the drive thru. I'm sure I can find exceptions here and there, but this is a fairly universal rule. I've tried walking up to a few fast food joints whilst drunk that were within walking distance of my place in college, after the indoors closed down. Refused service at every one, with one Taco Bell telling the drunk kids they would serve us if we came back in a car 
Regardless of your views on whether or not a bicycle is a legal vehicle, you are on private property, not public roads. Like it or not, they make the rules, and this is hardly a rule that I can find offense with. As others have said, either walk the bike in or leave it outside, or find a local joint with a walk up window.
FWIW, I've had a few deny me on a motorcycle.
Regardless of your views on whether or not a bicycle is a legal vehicle, you are on private property, not public roads. Like it or not, they make the rules, and this is hardly a rule that I can find offense with. As others have said, either walk the bike in or leave it outside, or find a local joint with a walk up window.
FWIW, I've had a few deny me on a motorcycle.
05-18-16, 04:41 AM
#38
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DRIVE THRU, NOT BIKE THRU. Don't forget the lock.
05-18-16, 04:45 AM
#39
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05-18-16, 05:24 AM
#40
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You're seriously going to play devil's advocate for McDonald's? Can't tell if trolling or just like to argue for the sake of arguing.
I do have to go there, at least once a month for day-long medical appointments to accompany my disabled mom, and occasionally to accompany disabled neighbors who don't have medical aides to help them on long medical appointment days. Usually I prefer the hospital cafeteria but it has very limited hours.
McD's only almost-decent meal is breakfast, which fortunately they now serve extended hours. Their food is terrible. If McD's ever accidentally puts something good on the menu, they'll discontinue it as soon as they discover their mistake. Sonic, Braum's, Wendy's, Whataburger, Burger King, Jack in the Box... all of 'em are better. Jack in the Box 99 cent dogfood tacos are better than anything on the McD's menu. The only fast food burger joint remotely as bad as McD's is In-N-Out Burger, which isn't actually bad just overrated and they cook their burgers into dried husks of formerly meat-like substances.
On the plus side, our local In-N-Out lets homeless people rest and nap there, as long as they don't hassle customers. So, extra credit to them for that. 
I do have to go there, at least once a month for day-long medical appointments to accompany my disabled mom, and occasionally to accompany disabled neighbors who don't have medical aides to help them on long medical appointment days. Usually I prefer the hospital cafeteria but it has very limited hours.
McD's only almost-decent meal is breakfast, which fortunately they now serve extended hours. Their food is terrible. If McD's ever accidentally puts something good on the menu, they'll discontinue it as soon as they discover their mistake. Sonic, Braum's, Wendy's, Whataburger, Burger King, Jack in the Box... all of 'em are better. Jack in the Box 99 cent dogfood tacos are better than anything on the McD's menu. The only fast food burger joint remotely as bad as McD's is In-N-Out Burger, which isn't actually bad just overrated and they cook their burgers into dried husks of formerly meat-like substances.
On the plus side, our local In-N-Out lets homeless people rest and nap there, as long as they don't hassle customers. So, extra credit to them for that. I have a big mac and fries from there at least once a month. I believe the big mac to be one of the ten best sandwiches ever created.
But I obviously don't have as discriminating a palate as you. Nor have I dissected a fast food restaurant as thoroughly as you seem to have done on your many 'charity' visits lol
05-18-16, 06:29 AM
#41
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I was Refused Service at McDonalds
In defense of McD, and other fast food restaurants, I’m grateful for their widespread locations to use their facilities.
So I would not get bent out of shape, and would not even bother using the drive-up window, but just go inside.
It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.
I was out riding tonight on my single speed and didn’t plan on any stops so I left my lock at home. I rode by a McDonalds and thought a ice cream would be nice. I couldn’t risk leaving my bike unattended so I tried to order at the drive up speaker. I was refused service because my bike is not considered a motor vehicle...
Apparently they don’t like ride up customers or grumpy old men on bikes. I suggested they don’t want my business and was told they don’t want my business. So much for that relaxing ride. Am I being hypersensitive or is their corporate policy a few fries short of a happy meal?
Apparently they don’t like ride up customers or grumpy old men on bikes. I suggested they don’t want my business and was told they don’t want my business. So much for that relaxing ride. Am I being hypersensitive or is their corporate policy a few fries short of a happy meal?
I’d just walk my bike inside if I was worried about it’s security. I have done this before with good results in grocery stores .
… When I’m out for a long day’s ride, the only time I might abandon my bike is for a bathroom stop. By the time I need one, I’m usually out in the suburbs, where everyone travels by car, and would have to load my bike to flee. I always stop at a fast food restaurant and bring the bike inside, and quickly do my business (don’t even wash my hands 
). Outdoor pit stops in relatively populous Metro Boston does carry some risk for arrest as a level 3 sex offender. 
Furthermore, I figure I’m conspicuous as I clack-clack-clack in cycling attire across the floor, and a would-be thief would be conspicuous as not-the-owner of my bike…
). Outdoor pit stops in relatively populous Metro Boston does carry some risk for arrest as a level 3 sex offender. Furthermore, I figure I’m conspicuous as I clack-clack-clack in cycling attire across the floor, and a would-be thief would be conspicuous as not-the-owner of my bike…
I could have taken my bike in the restaurant but felt it wouldn't be appreciated. I had a locked bike stolen last week and wasn't taking any chances. It was the managers curt response to my inquiry that got me frustrated. I sensed a too big to care attitude.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 05-18-16 at 06:36 AM.
05-18-16, 06:48 AM
#42
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Here's what you missed out on: Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Nonfat Milk Solids, Corn Syrup Solids, Mono- and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Artificial Vanilla Flavor,
Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Disodium Phosphate, Cellulose Gum, Vitamin A Palmitate
Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Disodium Phosphate, Cellulose Gum, Vitamin A Palmitate
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05-18-16, 07:01 AM
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Devil's advocate?
I have a big mac and fries from there at least once a month. I believe the big mac to be one of the ten best sandwiches ever created.
But I obviously don't have as discriminating a palate as you. Nor have I dissected a fast food restaurant as thoroughly as you seem to have done on your many 'charity' visits lol
I have a big mac and fries from there at least once a month. I believe the big mac to be one of the ten best sandwiches ever created.
But I obviously don't have as discriminating a palate as you. Nor have I dissected a fast food restaurant as thoroughly as you seem to have done on your many 'charity' visits lol
05-18-16, 07:15 AM
#44
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I've never been denied service when riding my horse up to the drive-thru window at Whataburger.
I'm pretty sure the law considers that a hangin' offense.
I'm pretty sure the law considers that a hangin' offense.
05-18-16, 07:21 AM
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Fast food aside, I stop for ice cream on almost every long ride I do... in fact, I often plan my rides based on the location of ice cream shops, and small (or good) ice cream shops in my area almost always have a window for walk-ups. It has never occurred to me to go to McDonalds for ice cream - that is probably the last place I would go. Even an ice-cream bar from a convenience store would be preferable.
05-18-16, 07:24 AM
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Devil's advocate?
I have a big mac and fries from there at least once a month. I believe the big mac to be one of the ten best sandwiches ever created.
But I obviously don't have as discriminating a palate as you. Nor have I dissected a fast food restaurant as thoroughly as you seem to have done on your many 'charity' visits lol
I have a big mac and fries from there at least once a month. I believe the big mac to be one of the ten best sandwiches ever created.
But I obviously don't have as discriminating a palate as you. Nor have I dissected a fast food restaurant as thoroughly as you seem to have done on your many 'charity' visits lol
05-18-16, 07:48 AM
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Many years ago the League of American Bicyclists had an article in their magazine on this subject. The reporter asked about the policy at various national banks, restaurants, and other stores with drive-up windows. Almost universally they claimed that the prohibition was based on their insurance carrier policy. Then he asked the insurance carriers for these businesses and not a single one had any issue with allowing bicyclists at the drive-up nor did their written policies. The insurance/liability claim appeared to just be used as an excuse.
05-18-16, 08:04 AM
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If the local health food store and smoothie shop had better hours, I'd take advantage of their 10% bike-in discount more often.
05-18-16, 08:11 AM
#49
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And you know this how?
Many years ago the League of American Bicyclists had an article in their magazine on this subject. The reporter asked about the policy at various national banks, restaurants, and other stores with drive-up windows. Almost universally they claimed that the prohibition was based on their insurance carrier policy. Then he asked the insurance carriers for these businesses and not a single one had any issue with allowing bicyclists at the drive-up nor did their written policies. The insurance/liability claim appeared to just be used as an excuse.
Many years ago the League of American Bicyclists had an article in their magazine on this subject. The reporter asked about the policy at various national banks, restaurants, and other stores with drive-up windows. Almost universally they claimed that the prohibition was based on their insurance carrier policy. Then he asked the insurance carriers for these businesses and not a single one had any issue with allowing bicyclists at the drive-up nor did their written policies. The insurance/liability claim appeared to just be used as an excuse.
05-18-16, 08:12 AM
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I've gone through drive-up windows a number of times on my bike at various fast-food restaurants, and I've only been denied service once. However, I generally will lock up my bike or bring it inside. I never ride without a bike lock, although it's a small cable lock only intended for quick stops. Like others said, Micky D's probably wouldn't serve you do to liability concerns -- basically the same legal system that requires idiot tabs on the front forks of bikes. From their perspective, it probably makes sense because you would probably sue their pants off if some bozo in a car ran into you in the drive-thru lane.
