Banned from taking my bike inside the office.

[paulg]

The building managers of our office sent this e-mail out to everyone today:

‘Just a reminder as the weather begins to improve. Bicycles are permitted on the property provided they are parked in Bike Racks located on the UPPER roof of the garage. Bicycles are not permitted within the physical confines of #### Duke Street. Thanks for your help.’

I didn’t even know there was a bike rack before I got this! However, the bikes racks are outside and not covered, one of the two racks isn’t even bolted down and the other is bolted but with regular nuts and bolts that could be easily undone. I didn’t see any other bikes there today.

Up to this point I’ve always taken my bike into the office and stored it at my cube, this way I don’t need to bring a lock (i use the new york chain which is heavy) and it keeps the bike out of the elements and safe. Anyone else come across this before and prevailed?

Paul G

Topic

[Dirt]

2 ways to go with this. You’ve been doing it for a while and haven’t had a problem. You can pretend that you didn’t get the memo and keep on going. Change your behavior when you are forced to. The second is to push for better bike parking. There’s plenty of good information on the Interwebs about bike friendly businesses. I know that this is more likely not an issue with your employer, but with the building management. In a way it is easier to ignore building management than it is your employer. It is also more difficult to get building management to change.

Another thing you might explore is if a neighboring building has better bike parking. I think WABA had a good thing on Bike Friendly Businesses lately.

I usually leave my lock at work so I don’t have to carry it every day. I have a second lock that I use when I’m out shopping.

Hope that helps or at least gives you some good things to explore.

[eminva]

Do you know anyone in the property management office and have you spoken with them? I work in a big building downtown (my company is one of many tenants) and I have had to go to property management from time to time for both bike and non-bike related issues. I found that if I explained what I wanted to do and why, they were very receptive, and at least found a workaround that satisfied my goals or allowed me to bend the rules. I remember seeing a brochure from WABA (I think) for employers about how to encourage bike commuting (or at least how not to be hostile to it) and what constitutes adequate parking was one of the issues addressed. If you could bring something like that into your conversation, that would be helpful.

Good luck.

Liz

[MCL1981]

@Dirt 2982 wrote:

You’ve been doing it for a while and haven’t had a problem. You can pretend that you didn’t get the memo and keep on going. Change your behavior when you are forced to.

This is how I handle many aspects of many employment positions I’ve held. Both bike related and not. If you’ve been doing it all along and nobody has bothered you, keep doing it. They probably have an issue with people who make a mess. If you’re quiet and discreet, they will probably not even notice let alone care.

[CCrew]

Mine tried to say I can’t have my bike in my office. It lasted about an hour and a half. That was a fun day.

I’d tend to agree with the others. Ignore it until there’s another pass at enforcing it, easy to say you missed the memo. If it’s directed at you I’m sure that will happen fairly quickly.

[Greenbelt]

We are blessed with a bike rack in an underground parking area where I work. Is there a way to move the rack at your building from the upper floor to a more sheltered area of the garage (ideally within view of a parking attendant if you have one, or a security camera)?

There are a surprising number of otherwise unusable nooks and crannies in garages in our garage where bike racks could be located — I’ve been scouting sites in advance because I predict we’ll need more racks this summer at our office. If they have underground parking for cars, are buildings under any obligation to also provide underground parking for bikes?

[RESTONTODC]

I don’t understand why the property manangers don’t let bike in the building. Is it a liability issue?

I’m consider myself very lucky that my office has lockers, showers, and indoor bike storage. It’s a reason that I don’t find another job. If you look for another job, the indoor bike storage is one of the requirements.

[MCL1981]

@RESTONTODC 3014 wrote:

I don’t understand why the property manangers don’t let bike in the building. Is it a liability issue?

I’m consider myself very lucky that my office has lockers, showers, and indoor bike storage. It’s a reason that I don’t find another job. If you look for another job, the indoor bike storage is one of the requirements.

They typically don’t want the sight of people walking bikes around the office because it doesn’t look professional. They also don’t like dirt, water, mud, etc making a mess of their buildings. The slobs ruined it for others. I too am blessed with a VERY VERY VERY secure parking garage to park my bike when I start doing the commuter thing. As well as showers and a locker room, as old and 80’s era as it is.

[PotomacCyclist]

Don’t always trust the indoor bike racks. A couple bikes were stolen from the bike rack at the underground parking garage of the building where I worked last year. That was in downtown D.C.

[MCL1981]

Fortunately the guys with machine guns will most likely thwart that type of vagrant activity.

[CCrew]

@MCL1981 3025 wrote:

Fortunately the guys with machine guns will most likely thwart that type of vagrant activity.

Pfft. You assume they trust them with bullets

[paulg]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I think I’ll start off with the ‘I didn’t see the memo’ coupled with the ‘keep a low profile’ strategy and if they catch up with me I’ll talk nicely with the building management to push for better parking for my bike which should delay them long enough or at least force them to spend some money which I’m sure they won’t want to do. Hopefully they’ll realize it’s just too much trouble to stop me and let me get on with it. My other strategy will be to say I didn’t bring a lock.

Luckily I don’t have to visit that office on my bike all that often but that makes leaving a lock there kind of annoying.

I’m not sure what their reasoning is behind the ‘rule’. If it’s dirt etc. I don’t believe it. My bike tires don’t get any more dirty than someone’s shoes. If it’s damage to walls and the elevator etc. that doesn’t fly as the UPS and FedEx guys manage far more difficult objects in and out of the building and I’m sure they are pretty careful.

As for looking professional: My dark red surly cross check with silver bar tape and silver fenders with red ortlieb panniers is my pride and joy and looks very professional thank you very much! Which is just another reason for having it my office. Looking at it inspires me to ride.

Thanks again for the advice. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Paul G

[Author]

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