Platy

This is in Lansing, right? I noticed that the local transit system has a couple of bike lockers for rent at $10/month.

https://www.cata.org/bikes_lockers.html

That means there's a person at CATA who went to the trouble of making the bike lockers happen. Who is that person? Does he/she have enough political mojo to make another bike locker appear at or near your hospital?

bac

Yeah, I really don't think that's going to be a problem. Classic!

... Brad

Roody

No, our guards are employed by the hospital and they're paid a lot more than the so-called rent-a-cops. Some of them have worked there for years, but I don't know this guard. Most of them are professional and polite--one reason I was taken aback by this one. And yes, to me it seemed like he was power tripping, but that was an impression I got more than actual words that he used.

My relationship with the guards is kind of important. I work on the psych unit, and we occasionally call them for backup when we need help with an assaultive patient. I sure don't want them all ticked off at me, and by extension my whole unit.

folder fanatic

The retort that I always tell a non -goverment worker is "Will you sign this legal document promising to replace my bike in the event of theft/vandalization? The usual response is the guy walking away from me or refusal to sign (I have an actual physical written document clearly assigning fault to the guard him/herself as well as the company employing him/her and promising to pay for all damages and loss. Most of the time, it is some minimun wage desperate person who needs a quick and easy job-and they will not sign. Another way to fool these mororns is to use a folding bike and bag the thing completely way before being sighted by the building staff-and continue to park the bike in that out of the way indoor storage room. Since it is little used, I can't understand why the security guard even found out about the bike. Is there someone who rats on other people working there? That would be real tragic in itself.

Basically, I think it is only one person who is hassling you for some other reason besides being "bike prejudiced." I would also go over his head and talk to the highest person you can get to. Most places do not want trouble and if your solution won't cost money for the hospital, you will probably be allowed to place the bike in that out of the way place. But you might gain an enemy who will just be bothersome as the unknown thief-so go foward cautiously. Only you know the best way to continue to protect your bike.

keiththesnake

Roody:
I agree that if you get YOUR supervisor to support you, then the rent-a-cop's supervisor will likely agree with him or her. Sparrow? Useless waste of building. Really great lobby. Maybe they should invest in the human resource, instead. Just my two cents.
Keith

Blue Order

Any chance of bringing a folder inside?

stevesurf

The supervisor will always side with their subordinate. You need to start bringing the bike inside again, citing that there is nothing in your Post Orders that state bringing a bicycle into the buidling is against hospital policy. Post Orders are the actual procedures the Security Guards go by that is policy. This will force him to produce a copy of the written document that backs him up (which they won't have, and they'll have to change policy to inconvenience you).

If they decide to change policy, find the environmental liaison with the hospital and plead your case. The last thing they want is people saying they're "not green."

ATAC49er

folder fanatic, were we separated at birth?

My pat answer to anybody telling me I can't bring my bike in at work is simple -- when you put $2500 in an envelope, seal it, write my name on it, and set it in the safe for me WHEN and not IF my outside-locked bike gets stolen/stripped, THEN you can tell me whether I can bring it in the door.

I had a central office of my old bank tell me once that I couldn't take my bike through the drive-up, but I could bring it in the lobby. I still stopped using that location after that date. A local fast-food joint told me I couldn't come through the drive-up on my bike -- almost got into a fight w/ a smart-mouth busboy about it. In their defense, my bike wouldn't set off the signal for the speaker. I did like that they had to throw away the food I ordered.

stevesurf

FYI, the same thing happened to me at McDonalds.

...but Starbucks drive thrus welcome cyclists; in fact they always fill up my water bottles...

SkippyX

Security Guard: "You can't take the bike inside. You have to park it outside."

Me: "I'll worry about it when you get your fat @$$ out of the car and prevent me from doing it. 'til then - bite me."

Pretty simple, really.

freeimprov

Speaking as a professional bureaucrat and former security guard...

You want to MUSCLE this guy. Most security guards are decent (read lazy) guys, but some are wannabe Dirty Harrys who enjoy taking advantage of the badge in order to push people around. They're easy to spot because they come on aggressively rather than politely, like most guards. The bad guards are simply thugs, and you have to speak to them in thug language. And that means asserting dominance in no uncertain terms.

As others have pointed out, your FIRST line of support is your own manager. Make sure your manager is aware of the situation and supportive of your actions. If you must go speak to a building or security manager, try to do it with your own manager present if at all possible. It becomes much harder for them to say no to you if it risks setting off an inter-departmental fight.

Now, security managers are a different breed than the thug-type guard. Thugs don't make it to management, because they're brutal and stupid and lack the finesse to pass the interview. Most security managers are from the lazy-guard pool, and they don't want anyone harshing their mellow any more than necessary. Moreover, they have years of experience dealing with the thugs (who often try to bully their own bosses), so he may not reflexively defend his own staff here - in fact, he may appreciate a reason to slap down a problem guard. This is of course a generalization and not necessarily true in your specific case, but the odds are good that the security manager will be sympathetic.

But back to the muscle. Besides your own manager, you should get HR involved (with your manager's knowledge). They NEVER want hassles or disputes, and could care less about "security", so they're likely to join you against the guard just to nip problems in the bud. And, since you're in a hospital, you may want to see if you can get some doctors to support you as well... after all, biking is healthier and safer than driving!

With the correct support, you could get motion toward a REAL solution to the problem - a safe, secure, and guarded area where bike commuters can park their rides without fear of theft! Done right, you can even win some recognition from your own management for showing leadership and initiative! You'd be encouraging biking to work (a good thing) and a safer, healthier working environment.

This makes me appreciate how spoiled and lucky I am... I work with terrific on-site security (federal police) who are always polite and helpful, and bike commuters get to keep their bikes in the locked, access-controlled, guarded garage. I don't even lock mine!

Suzie Green

Chain your bike to the security guard's car.

smilin buddha

I would go higher also talk to your boss. I got stopped one time by a security guard at a local Target. He checked my receipt for dog food. When I was going back in he let a guy with plastic totes leave the store without checking them. How was I supposed to hide things in a bag of dog food. Difference the guy with the totes had a tie and slacks on. I had shorts and my tattoos were showing. I confronted him and talked to his supervisor. He got transferred . I would still talk to your boss. But sometimes they are not used to someone questioning them. A badge doesnt give you power. Or see if you can leave your bike inside the delivery area.

cyclezealot

Whose to say security guards know **** about acautal policy. . I'd taken the matter to a higher authroity long ago.

zeppinger

I would suggest death threats, If that doesnt work kidnap one of the security guards children. But then again, Im told that I have a bit of s short fuse...

PotatoSlayer

Fun way to deal with this moron:

Chain your bike to the back of his SUV.

Roody

Update: I decided to take the coward's road. For a couple weeks I locked my bike outside. Then I started taking it in again. If I get any more crap, I'll take it to a higher authority, as so many of you suggested.

Thanks to everybody who responded. It's nice to know that we can rely on the folks here for good ideas!