Do you ever take your bike into places instead of locking it up? Ever had any problems with doing this?

Question

Like I have a really expensive road bike and because of the higher gas prices I am going to start actually using for going places like the grocery store, the library, Maybe wal-mart....etc

I Don't want to lock it up outside because someone could steal it or take parts off of it or take out the carbon seat post. Do any of you take your bikes into places like this and is there ever a problem with doing that?

Answer 1

Some places will let you bring a bike inside, some won't. Locally owned places seem to be much more helpful in this regard. Walmart probably won't let you.

If a place doesn't, you could bring your seat post in with you, and lock up the bike and both wheels to a rack or pole. Barring that you could always try to buy a cheap older road bike just for this purpose, craig's list might be a good place to start looking.

Answer 2

You can sometimes take your bike into the area between the outside doors and the inside doors, I don't no what you call it, and either just leave it or lock it up to a railing or something. It is also on camera that way.

Answer 3

I've come close to some real knockdown, dragouts with security guards, ushers, receptionists and real estate people over this. Many property managers are becoming real a@@holes about this since bikers have scuffed walls, torn furniture, gotten chain tatoos all over things and been inconsiderate of others (especially in elevators).

However, when you've got a multi-$k pride and joy you can't justify letting it out of your sight. And if you carry enough locks and cables to lock down everything, you lose the point of a bike you've spent thousands on knocking off ounces.

Here in DC, most parking garages have an area for bikes under the eye of the attendant. Some even have cages. This works for commuting most of the time, but you still have to bring a lock. On my last job, I was able to park under my office window so I could keep an eye on it. Before that the property manager was a human being and let my bring it up to the 8th floor. He just told me to stay under the radar and try to use the elevator solo.

One answer: Buy a beater for the errands, or a better beater for commuting...but not much of an answer.

Answer 4

i always take my bike inside places and havent had a problem but i am usually only in there for like 10 minutes

Answer 5

I've asked to take my bike into a restaurant.  They have no problem with it at all.  Then again, it's a brew pub that has a regular flow of cyclists.

I'm not a craigslist fan, but I do suggest that you get a c**p bike to commute with, something like a low-rent or used mtb with some cruiser tires.  Look at Goodwill, DAV stores, yard sales.  A friend of mine pulled one out of a ditch, and I rebuilt it.  I bought a decent bike for $10 at a second-hand sale, too.

It won't ride quite like your beauty, but hey, you're not going to worry so much, either.

Answer 6

i work at wal mart and they told me they had no problem with me putting my bike in the store when i go to work