Bringing a bike inside-question

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I use my bike for everything and almost never use the car. In my town there are a lot of places that have no place to lock up a bike, no sufficient railings, signs anything. Is it acceptable to bring a bike inside, especially in public buildings. I can see the argument for getting permission first for private businesses b/c if they dont cater to bikes then I can bring my business elswhere. But what about places that I dont have a choice with, like the post office. Or even with private businesses like walmart? I'm afraid to ask permission b/c that gives them a chance to say no.
I appreciate your thoughts
thanks

It should not be a problem. The precedent has been set by mums with prams, oldies with walkers, shoppers with shopping trolleys, etc... :rolleyes:

This is definitely one of those circumstance where I ask for forgiveness rather than permission. I just go on in with the bike, be careful about where I lean it, and smile a lot. I've never been asked to take it outside. (caveat: I live in a bike-friendly city.) As part of a solution to a growing problem (http://www.climatecrisis.net/), I like to think we cycle-commuters deserve this minor accomodation. (:

I've had some office buildings request that I bring the bike upstairs via the freight elevator rather than via the passenger elevators, but I've never had anyone tell me I couldn't have my bike in a public building. Shops, post offices, malls...it's all fair game.

Now, if you try *riding* your bike in the post office they may get a bit upset...

I've had some office buildings request that I bring the bike upstairs via the freight elevator rather than via the passenger elevators, but I've never had anyone tell me I couldn't have my bike in a public building. Shops, post offices, malls...it's all fair game.

Now, if you try *riding* your bike in the post office they may get a bit upset...I've worked in various offices and never had a problem - If they don't have a bike park in the building (but they do have car space) then I take it up to where i worked. I would just leave it in a place that was out of the way and not a public place (so that the higher ups didn't complain it was an eye sore).

What we need though - is more places to park bikes. My previous place of employment had a small area in their carpark (took up one carspace) where employees could lock their bikes - it was also in a locked carpark. I highly encourage businesses to do this!

I also wish governments would cater for commuters. IE: have a bicycle commuting path - that is as straight as possible, concreted, safe, and has as little stops (ie at traffic lights etc) as possible. IF people could ride to work via a track that allowed them to easily keep 40kph ie an EXPRESS bicycle lane - and not have traffic lights - i'm sure they would do that than sit in traffic and have to stop start daily! In melb we have this one section down near cambellwell - that was an old train line converted into a walking path. Its fantastic- flat, and for the section of the old train line doesn't have ANY stop lights, roads to cross etc. Its just a pitty it doens't go for longer!!!:D

think of it this way: if you could double the speed that people could safely go on a track (by deeming it express for bicycles only - no foot traffic - and designing it for higher speeds ie straight no blind corners, areas to pull over if you get a flat) i'm sure a lot more people would go on these tracks (also would stop those nutters on the paths doing 30-40 dodging people walking!)

concreted,

tar baby! I hate the breaks in concrete its annoying after 2km.

I like your argument though.