Brompton cyclist kicked out of Tesco again – a week after being told that folding bikes were welcome in its stores

CYCLE LANE, IT'S A CYCLE LANE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBXCwdbgA9U&feature=youtu.be&t=112

I've been asked to leave Tesco in Hertford before, after wheeling in my bike to get some mid-ride snacks, because "the wheels are dirty" - yes, exactly like the soles of everyone's shoes, or the wheels on kids' buggies etc.  I didn't argue; I just went to M&S, where the security guard offered to hold my bike while I picked up a prawn sarnie and a slice of Victoria sponge.

I didn't "storm" out though... sounds like the Brompton rider needs to learn how to manage his anger.

@daviddb, funny that you mention the GP surgery. I was once asked about bicycle locks by a colleague and after boring him rigid for ten minutes about buying a lock for X% of the bike value etc it turned out that his interest was due to his phenomenally expensive pram / all terrain baby buggy. It had cost over a thousand pounds and he dreaded leaving it outside the Dr's in case it wasn't there when he returned!

Me and my Rose welcomed with open arms at Maplins Stratford East. Which was a bit of a hurrah. Local Drs surgery has nothing to tie up a bike to except the hi-viz

handrail for the less mobile. Chuh!

I have mobility difficulties, so would struggle with the 50m walk from the nearest bike stands to my local Sainsbury's to pick up any basics. I take my bike in and prop it in the window several times a week. Only a couple of times has security queried it, usually only because there's a delivery. (The regular guy now knows me, and has seen me struggling on a bad day and using a crutch.)

They would lose a fair bit of custom from me and other local cyclists if bikes weren't allowed in.

Besides, for that particular branch, I heard that planning permission included a clause about bike parking. And there is certainly no evidence of this, apart from the conveniently empty space by the front window.

Btw, my local butcher is quite happy for me to prop the bike inside the shop while I shop there. And it's usually cheaper and better quality produce than the supermarkets. In fact, a lot of small local shops are happy for me to do this, even if they are limited for space inside. 

I've been on my way to work and needed cash and the only AT was inside a local Co-op and wheeled my bike in, used ATM and wheeled it out with no issue, done cashback at the till in same store with no problems. Some metro shops are cramped though and you'd have problems then regardless of the OK being given by head office for a Brompton.

My particular bugbear at the moment is Toolstation. I've taken my bike in a few times before and propped it against the wall, without any problem. But recently I took my £2,000 bike in and was told I needed to leave it outside. This is a shop which sells lengths of pipe, which, in total, measure many times more than the steel tubes which make up my bicycle.
But then I kinda sympathised, and realised that it was probably an order from way up on high. I ended up convolutedly locking my bike to a pipe outside.
Thing is, Toolstation is a shop which sells bike racks and bike locks, so why the hell can't they just put some outside their fucking stores?

You're entirely at the mercy of whoever's working that day when you take a bike in a shop. Friendly, helpful type, who realises that they're working in the service industry? No problem. Jobsworth with a chip on their shoulder who hates everyone who walks through the door? Forget it.

Take my road bike into either of my two local Co Op stores on my daily commute. Properly welcomed in both as I walk around with a basket slung over the bar ends.

'ooh, you don't want to leave that outside love, it looks expensive. Bring it in!' was the reply when I first enquired if it was ok.

They get all my custom.

As usual, 'Health & Safety' being used as an excuse for being an arse. Absolutely bugger all to do with H&S, just a jumped up self-important little prat uable to back down despite all the evidence. http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

Local small Tesco near me have no problem with me or my kids taking our bikes inside and parking by the baskets. Security and Tesco staff very friendly, so no complaints. Haven't tried wheeling bike around the store though - not a lot of room in the isles.

I've taken my Brompton into my local Tesco Express, but it has such a cramped layout even wheeling the completely folded bike behind me is difficult, especially when I've got a basket in the other hand. It's the same with local independent convenience stores, though large stores and supermarkets present no problem as the aisles are wide enough to accommodate lots of large trolleys.

I've been into a few Tesco and Co-op stores pushing my road bike (half way through a long summer ride going to get a drink) and no one has batted an eyelid...

Maybe it's just in the countryside where people don't get angry at you for buying stuff from them

"Thanks again" is not an apology. That'd require "Sorry once more" or similar. Maybe it's just been lost in the trimming / editing of the story.

U OK Hun?

"So I stormed out and went to the Co-op over the road.”

#crapstory #notwittercrapplease