I typically bring my bike into the hardware store with me unless there are proper bike racks. I don't see a problem with it as it's no bigger than a cart. The Lowe's by me removed their bike racks for an air compressor so I take it in. This Home Depot is new and I had looked for their bike racks but couldn't see them in the front of the warehouse, so I took it in.
When checking out I was told I can't bring my bike in as it is a safety concern. I gave a rebuttal that it's no bigger than a cart and they said it could fall and block an entire aisle when the carts can't fall over. I didn't continue the questions because they just work there but it seemed ridiculous to me.
Apparently their bike racks are in the back of the warehouse completely isolated, not somewhere i would feel comfortable locking my bike.
I'm going to continue bringing my bike into the store.
by s77strom
31 Comments
but you can bring a non service dog german shepard in.
get a Brompton!
Get one of the big lumber carts and park your bike on top of it.
Put it in one of those lumber carts and push it around.
I’m a bike commuter and also get annoyed when there’s no rack or the rack is unsafe. But… it is their store and even when it’s annoying it’s their decision on whether to allow bikes inside, so respecting a direct request seems the polite thing to do.
I’m probably biased as a cyclist, but I can’t understand why they allow everyone’s dog in there and huge carts full of unwieldy, filthy, danger materials but not a bicycle. If this were a normal store, I’d sigh, nod and accept that I had to find a place to lock the bike outside. But Home Depot? For a place like that where it’s already a Mad Max situation in the aisles, I’d probably have a friendly talk with the manager about how to solve this.
Sounds like a battle of stubbornness is to be had. They’re not going to ban you from the store over this so just keep doing what you’re doing.
Look for a light pole or something with a post that you can lock it to. Talk to the manager or asst and let them know that if there isn’t a place to lock it up safely or can bring it in you’ll go have to go elsewhere. It’s entirely possible that the checkout person is just uninformed as well. The manager may not care that you bring it in.
Shop at Lowe’s instead?
I mean, I bet, the employee and the assistant manager (MOD) probably don’t care about your $48 purchases, but I agree with another response – try to talk to the actual store manager or a regional manager if, for some reason, you prefer this HD to the Lowe’s you can also ride to. (Mine are literally only separated by about 150′ as the crow flies).
Home Depot isn’t a hardware store. Try Ace or tru value.
I’ll usually lock to a cart return in that case.
They maybe take a cut of the profit from each bike stolen
I once locked my bike up to the thingy where the carts go in the parking lot, it was in a well lit area.
My home Depot allows me to roll my LvH Bullitt around the store, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission
Just don’t shop there. That is what I would do.
Bike traffic can be a safety concern around the entrance area with people, trolleys and cars. In some way this is not so bad. At least they have bike racks which is nice! Many stores don’t provide that where I live.
Is this the Renton store?
If it is, there is an entrance on the corner halfway between what you marked as the entrance and the bike rack–it’s the garden center entrance. There’s also another entrance between the garden center and the one you noted.
It’s really not that much of a walk to get inside.
Just use the rack. You have a lock right?
The reason it’s banned is probably because idiots could ride it around the store. You’re, I assume, smart enough not to do that; but if you work with the public, you’ll realize quickly that trusting people to have common sense and not be complete dumbasses is doomed to fail. It sucks, and they definitely should do a better job at including bike parking, but I get why the rule is there.
In the meantime maybe be respectful of the employees and keep your bike outside? Ultimately they are allowed to put whatever policy they want for bikes, as dumb as it may sound; you either have to respect it or shop elsewhere.
The staff at my Home Depot have always been fine with it. I’d imagine it varies depending on the mood of the staff member you ask
I can bring my dog but you can’t bring a bicycle!?
The location is probably designed for employees, not customers.
Bike Commuter; May I walk my bike while I shop in the store?
Retail Supervisor: NO, it’s a safety concern.
Bike Commuter: You guys still do curbside pickup with a satisfaction survey at the end?
Retail Supervisor: Uh…yeah.
Bike Commuter: Well if walking my bike inside, given the absence of a secure place to secure it outdoors, isn’t allowed they will be proud of you forcing me to either stand in the parking lot and wait or bring my businesses business elsewhere.
Find a parking spot by the carts and lock it to the metal structure, or in general use a regular parking spot close a sign or post where you can lock your bike.
But don’t worry there’s a dedicated veteran parking spot right out front
You guys are getting bike racks?
You have every right to do so, until they exercise their right to refuse you service and kick you out. You might try having a conversation with the manager and see if you can find an alternative.
lowes lets me bring my bike AND my dog. fuck Homer. His store sucks!
You sound like an entitled jerk.
It’s private property, they can have a rule that doesn’t allow bikes. Just because it isn’t convenient for you, doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want.
Good for you!
Good for you for making this issue important! It takes people like you to make these things happen! Well done!
This is a reasonable rule. I hope OP gets trespassed.