If they can have handicap parking, wheelchair ramps, and other accessibility features (rightfully so!), what’s the problem with helping businesses to make their stores accessible by bike?
Everyone wants to support “buy local”, and there’s no better way to do it than by bike!
Seems like installing a simple bike rack would be a win-win-win all around. What exactly is the difficulty?
I don’t believe for a second that it’s a “they don’t know unless you tell them” problem, because I’ve contacted many, MANY stores and plaza management to let them know that they are losing business. Nothing changes.
And it’s not like they can’t see people locking their bikes to signs, trees, fences, or cluttering up the walkways because they have no other options when visiting their business.
Backstory: Over the last two years, I’ve been adding cycling infrastructure to OpenStreetMap. Stuff like bike lanes, bike parking, repair stands, etc. I’ve spent dozens of hours checking plazas in a 30 km radius, local storefronts, malls, etc., to see what options they offer. It’s SHOCKING to see how many have absolutely no bike parking. Large stores, post offices, coffee shops, or even gyms. I try to contact as many as I can, but almost never receive replies or acknowledgement. Contacting local representatives is even more futile, as they have no control over what these businesses do. This means I’m either going far out of my way to visit stores that have bike parking, or I take a car, which seems like madness either way.
If there is no bike parking, then just take the bike into the shop with you. If it’s a small shop where you can keep your eye on it, leave it near the entrance. If it’s a large shop, roll it around with you — it’s not much different from a wheelchair. If the management complains, tell them they’re being illogical and take your business elsewhere.
I’ve been forced to do this a few time, and did it all the time when I was riding my e-scooter more.
In one case, I apologized to the cashier as I approach the checkout, and she said something along the lines of, “it’s better to bring your bike in the store! I had my catalytic converter stolen from my truck parked in front of the store while I was working.”
Jeeesus!