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Can I ride my bike through a drive-thru?

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Can I ride my bike through a drive-thru?

Old 09-27-11, 01:22 PM
  #1  
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Can I ride my bike through a drive-thru?

I'm kind of in the mood for some Krispy Kreme at the moment, but being a college student all I have for transportation is my bike.

And I'm not leaving it all alone outside of a restaurant. So I was wondering if you think they'd let me go through the drive-thru? I mean, a bike's considered a vehicle in every other respect, right?
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Old 09-27-11, 01:25 PM
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You can ride it through, but they won't serve you. You're a college kid. Take the bike inside with you.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:25 PM
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Some places will, but a lot won't as they consider you a walk up (which is what you'll actually be doing).
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Old 09-27-11, 01:27 PM
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Depends on the drive through. I've thrown **** at the window at Jack in the Box when they have refused to serve me in the middle of the night when there are no other cars in the lane. McDonalds used to, and the Dunkin Donuts by my house always does.

I haven't had fast food in ages, but the Dunkin coffee runs are always successful.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Some places will, but a lot won't as they consider you a walk up (which is what you'll actually be doing).
This.

I think it's stupid that they consider cyclists "walk-ups," though, seeing as we're treated no differently than motorists in the eyes of the law. But, in reality, most drive-thru's will not serve you. I got them to make an exception once by crying and holding up the line.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:28 PM
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Another vote for taking it inside with you, but why are you worried about someone taking your bicycle? (Krispy Kreme, remember?)

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Old 09-27-11, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
Another vote for taking it inside with you, but why are you worried about someone taking your bicycle? (Krispy Kreme, remember?)
While I understand the joke, I'm sure it's not customers he is worried about. Would I leave my bike unattended in front of a business? NO!
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Old 09-27-11, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Vicelord
Depends on the drive through. I've thrown **** at the window at Jack in the Box when they have refused to serve me in the middle of the night when there are no other cars in the lane. McDonalds used to, and the Dunkin Donuts by my house always does.

I haven't had fast food in ages, but the Dunkin coffee runs are always successful.

Dude, you really have serious issues.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Dude, you really have serious issues.
not really. It's obnoxious when the inside is closed and they will only serve cars at the drive through. It's like saying if you don't happen to be driving/own a car, you aren't allowed to eat there. It could be deemed as discrimintory either you can only eat there if you are a car driver, or a fatty.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:43 PM
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Maybe. Only one way to find out. Take it into the 'restaurant' with you if they give you a problem.

Originally Posted by mashtofu
This.
Do you really mash to eff me? I know I'm sexy, but you don't want to injure your knees. Spin at high cadence.

Sorry. I'm recycling a joke. This license plate was just banned for vulgarity:

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Old 09-27-11, 01:45 PM
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Most places I've done this at haven't given me any problems. A little while back, I would go by Del Taco every day I worked mornings because I forgot to eat.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:47 PM
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I used to go through on my motorcycle all the time, but I think that may be considered more of a vehicle? Either way, just make something at home!
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Old 09-27-11, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Vicelord
not really. It's obnoxious when the inside is closed and they will only serve cars at the drive through. It's like saying if you don't happen to be driving/own a car, you aren't allowed to eat there. It could be deemed as discrimintory either you can only eat there if you are a car driver, or a fatty.
It's a security issue with most drive-throughs. In a car you're at arm's reach since you wouldn't want to scrape your car or lose a mirror to get any closer. Walk-ups or cyclists can get right up to the window and grab some cash from the register that is right there too, or otherwise threaten the server a bit easier.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:51 PM
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Old 09-27-11, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by steve_wmn
It's a security issue with most drive-throughs.
Yet most drive-through restaurants aren't the least bit concerned about how secure their food is for our bodies.
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Old 09-27-11, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Vicelord
not really. It's obnoxious when the inside is closed and they will only serve cars at the drive through. It's like saying if you don't happen to be driving/own a car, you aren't allowed to eat there. It could be deemed as discrimintory either you can only eat there if you are a car driver, or a fatty.
I understand the irritation of not being served and the consequent perception of its stupidity. But I was addressing the fact that you throw stuff at the window because of your irritation.

You fail to see the fault in the action you take just because you think the other party is "obnoxious". That in itself is an issue.

I wonder what the security guy in Circle K would have done if he sees you doing this kind of dickbaggery at that Jack-in-the-Box...even if it is after a recovery ride
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Old 09-27-11, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Dude, you really have serious issues.
He has a point. It irks me as well although it's not work getting mad over - other than I will refuse to ever patronize a business that has ever refused me, for any reason.

I'd consider any business which would serve motorcycles but refuse bicyclists to be discriminating.
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Old 09-27-11, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Some places will, but a lot won't as they consider you a walk up (which is what you'll actually be doing).
Solution, get a FG and do a track stand the whole time!
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Old 09-27-11, 02:12 PM
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I believe it's an liability/insurance thing. They don't want pedestrians/cyclists getting hit by a car in the drive-through, so they have rules against serving pedestrians at the drivethru window.

I've always just taken my bike into the place. Rarely have I been kicked out or asked to take the bike outside.
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Old 09-27-11, 02:14 PM
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you guys are missing the big issue here!!
This guy wants a donut. Give that **** up, go to the store, and buy some ****ing broccoli.

BTW, I ride through the drive through bank line all the time no problems.
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Old 09-27-11, 02:14 PM
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Well I never thought there would be an issue going through a drive thru, but since it seems to be a problem is some areas, I guess you'll just have to try it and see if it works
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Old 09-27-11, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by steve_wmn
It's a security issue with most drive-throughs. In a car you're at arm's reach since you wouldn't want to scrape your car or lose a mirror to get any closer. Walk-ups or cyclists can get right up to the window and grab some cash from the register that is right there too, or otherwise threaten the server a bit easier.
And somehow the server is supposed to be immune from being grabbed or otherwise threatened when he tells the walk-up that he won't be served?
The places that have refused to serve me when I ride up have done so while talking to me right at the open window. If I had planned to threaten them or hold them up I could have done so just as easily while they were explaining their policy as if they had just gone ahead and filled my order.

The other reason frequently given is that it's due to an insurance company rule to protect against liability if the cyclist gets hit by a car behind them. Also doesn't make much sense since 1) I could still be hit while being told that I won't be served, 2) if I were hit then I'd collect from the motorist - not from the innocent business, and 3) when the LAB investigated this claim years ago they checked with the insurance carriers of all the chains that had such anti-cyclist policies - none of the insurance carriers imposed any restrictions on cyclists using the drive-through.
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Old 09-27-11, 02:19 PM
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Krispy Kreme? Sure, take your bike through the drive-thru. Tell them Homer says hi...
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Old 09-27-11, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by prathmann
1) I could still be hit while being told that I won't be served, TRUE
2) if I were hit then I'd collect from the motorist - not from the innocent business You are obviously not an attorney. They (especially personal injury) go after ANYONE, the deeper the pockets the better. While YOU may not intend to go after the "innocent business", an attorney absolutely would on grounds of "not protecting the cyclist" or something stupid like that.
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Old 09-27-11, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
He has a point. It irks me as well although it's not work getting mad over - other than I will refuse to ever patronize a business that has ever refused me, for any reason.

I'd consider any business which would serve motorcycles but refuse bicyclists to be discriminating.
Sure. But the 17 year old kid standing behind the glass he's throwing stuff at is doing what he was told and trying not to get fired. Since we're talking about fast food, that kid probably doesn't even know what discrimination means.
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