Mark42

I have brought my bike into high rise office buildings, up the elevator and left it in a lobby where I have a Dr. appointment. No one said anything. But buildings like that often have enormous lobby or center court so its never in the way.

79pmooney

I'll lean my bike in plain view just outside or inside the door on long bike rides where I am not going to carry a 2 pound lock when I stop to get some food or drink. I go to the nearest manager I can see and ask if I can park my bike "there" and point to a place where it is mostly out of sight or within good view of the employees while I shop (in full cycling outfit and shoes so it is obvious why I didn't bring a lock). Almost always, they say "sure" or find me a better spot.

I have done the same more than once when I got to the store on my cargo bike, then realized I forgot my keys or still have my car keys on me. (I know I-Like-To-Bike thinks I should do the 18 mile round trip to go back and get them. Most store prefer I say and spend my money there and are happy to accommodate me.)

Ben

Staypuft1652

I have noticed around my city most places dont have bike racks. Nor do they have many provisions for bikes in general, despite claiming to be bike friendly. I can always find a pole or something to lock to though, I wouldn't dream of trying to bring my bike into businesses, although that would be nice, but people here think I am strange for carrying my bike in my house. There's a guy a few houses away that has had at least 4 moderately high dollar bikes stolen in the 3 years I have lived here. This same man still leaves his bikes unlocked in his yard, and uses a $10 squiggly cable lock from walmart when he goes out.

PatrickGSR94

I just rode my e-bike to get a haircut during lunch. Unfortunately the building has no good place to lock up to outside, and inside there's no out of the way place to put the bike (display shelves on one side of door, waiting area on other side). So I parked it right outside the storefront by the door, with 2 locks going through the rear wheel and frame (U-lock + chain lock). I was a little nervous, especially when another dude waiting went outside and looked at it, staring at it for a long time, pretty close sometimes. But all was good. He didn't touch it *phew*

tramptrade 

The only shops I take my bikes into these days are bike shops. I am very selective about the businesses I will take my bike to if I need to lock it up and leave it unattended. In my region cycling is very popular, which unfortunately means that there are a lot of professional bike thieves around.

ironwood

I do most of my shopping on either an old Shogun that cost me practically nothing, it was from the re-use-it area of the dump: or a tig-welded XO-5 that cost me twenty dollars at a yard sale. I still lock them, but I don't worry about them as I would if they were my favorite bikes.

Djmazeoner

On Saturday January 11th at 2:45 p.m. I Moses Rivera was shopping at Walmart on Willow Avenue in Honesdale Pennsylvania when a store manager put his hands on me because I had a bicycle in the store. I recorded the situation and put it on YouTube here is the YouTube link

This happened at the Wal-Mart of Honesdale PA 18431

I did not know shopping with a bicycle at Wal-Mart was a crime... Employee incident part 2

tim24k

I bring my Brompton into the grocery store all the time. It’s very easy to fold it up and Just put it into the shopping cart while I’m shopping. I also bring The Brompton into restaurants but only after I bag it. This way people don’t even know what it is and I just slip it under my table.

rseeker

That must be this one.


I'd fear being thrown out of a Walmart, given how much of the shopping market they control. If you get thrown out of one, do you get banned from all of them?

Yes, monopoly power is bad, episode one million. Good luck.

spambait11

Yeah, what’s wrong with Fremont Whole Foods? Don’t they understand their greatest contribution to the city is being one large Amazon pick-up locker?

That millennial store manager needs to slow her roll when it comes to lecturing me about bringing my bike in for less than 30 seconds. She sounds like a boomer.

Miele Man

You guys are so lucky to be able to take your bicycle into a store and shop with it near you. I don't know of any store here in South Central Ontario Canada that will let you bring a bicycle into the store let alone into the area where the isles are.

Cheers

BBassett

I walked my bike into a Home Depot today after 8 miles in the pouring rain... walked it into the plumbing section and parked it in front of the kitchen faucets while I selected one, walked it past the teller as I paid, and then rode home and installed the faucet. If they had said a word (they never have before) I'd have gone around the corner to Lowe's. If someone doesn't like that you ride a bike, or doesn't care how hard it is to secure your property, take your money elsewhere.

obuckler

Yes to Home Depot for me on multiple occasions. There’s never been a problem but I always go during the middle of the day when it’s not very crowded at all. Usually at the end of a ride as I happen to be passing by going home. I just walk around with it as I shop. I’ve also gone into REI‘s but have always parked it up by the front somewhere. I never carry a lock.

katsup

I have brought my bike into a number of places, Home Depot and Trader Joe's seem to encourage it, but I don't take it in during busy times. I've taken into a nearby Ralph's maybe 3 times to grab 1 or 2 things, but they put a sign on the door that said no bikes inside. This store removed the bike parking a few years ago and I have seen several bikes sitting inside next to the door before which I think led to problems.

Olefeller77 

From what I have seen on the news about the homeless epidemic with streets as bathrooms, I would expect no business in those areas would allow any bike inside.
Think about it. Is that brown spot on the tire really mud?"
Sorry to be so negative, but in this case we have to look at the problem through the eyes of the business owner---and other customers.

gil_00000

Mostly at the grocery store. I'll walk right in and start shopping. I'm used to the looks I get from the other customers, ALL the other customers.

I used to ride more before I moved. When I lived in Fort Collins Colorado, I brought my bike in the store all the time. I will admit, Fort Collins is a biking city so its to be expected.

CliffordK

I rarely do, with the exception that may bike shops more or less expect bikes to come inside. Although, perhaps I'll still lock it up about 50% at bike shops.

I stopped at Universal Cycles up in Portland. As I was locking my bike up, someone came out to tell me to bring the bike inside. So, I did. They had a bike rack inside the shop (I don't think I locked it). I may have had my trailer, so it probably took up about 2 of the precious few spots.

On occasion I've been out without a lock, and then the response varies based on the place. I've tried drive-through windows, and have often been disappointed. For a country grocery store, I brought it inside and sat the bike near the door.

Once I stopped at the lumber store, and asked if they would watch my bike. They said just to take it with me (warm, dry, clean summer day). The next time I went back without a lock (somewhat deliberately), they refused entry. And, it was a somewhat local store too. Unfortunately, competitors are too inconvenient.

If it is a wet, miserable day and everything is caked with mud... nope, won't bring it in.

On occasions when I've brought the bike into buildings, I often carry it to the destination (no tracks).

BengalCat

I never leave my bike unattended. If I need to go into a store I take the bike unless management says no.

When it comes to my bike on rides, I can't be bargained with. I can't be reasoned with. I don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And I absolutely will not leave my bike unattended and out of my grasp until I'm dead.

katsup

The same can be said about shoes.

Trakhak

I've always owned bike locks and used them. I've never considered my own convenience to supersede that of others.

Olefeller77 

You certainly have a point there about the same problem with shoes. The businesses that survive in those areas must get an amazing level of tolerance.
Bottom line is that I don't desire to wheel a bike in a store. I've been lucky so far.

BBassett

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...Xg_Dfjd5PKqsjJ

wipekitty

Only when I have my nice bike, and only certain stores.

I have no problem taking my bike inside bike shops (it's a bike shop!) or smaller shops where I know the owners. I took my bike in the small town food co-op a few times on my way home from group rides as well. I don't think they liked it so much, but...wheeling a bike around to pick up two items, at a time when most of town is in bed, doesn't seem to be too disruptive.

Nyah

Having recently moved to a town with stores, I do this every time. The hardware store and the Petco so-far. I keep a wire basket lashed to the rear rack, so the bicycle itself serves as my shopping cart.

I don't ask permission. Asking permission will just bring unnecessary attention to yourself, and could lead to a no-bicycles sign being put up before your next shopping trip.

Joe Bikerider

In California we will be voting this upcoming Tuesday. For the last several years my precinct has voted at the local National Guard armory. I’ve always wheeled my bike right in. Heck, it’s a huge gym like building and they sometimes park trucks in there too. No problem. But this time I need to go to a local church to vote. We’ll see what happens. It’s already rubbing me the wrong way because the location is much less convenient, I mean the armory is right on our major North/South MUP. The church has several buildings of classrooms and offices so I suppose it will be in one of those. But I am nursing a fantasy of flinging open those fancy big doors on the church proper and bringing my bike right in! Just kidding, what would Jesus ride? BTW, there is a local bond measure on the ballot that includes money for local cycling infrastructure which I certainly support.