Shopping Centres and Yer Bike

Kintarō Hattori

Normally I work in the city centre so when I cycle into work I just bring the bike into my workplace. Today due to a staff shortage I had to go to the Pavilions in Swords (my first time in the centre). I got there about 9:30am while still quiet and went looking for the shop. While walking through the centre I was stopped by one of the security guys and told that the centre doesn't allow bikes inside.
I explained I was going to work, he asked where and said it made no difference but that as no-one told me this he'd let it go this time. I said fair enough but that it was an expensive bike and not something I could leave outside and that I'd carry it on my shoulder to the shop. He said this made no difference and that should I ever come back to the centre the bike was a no no.

Fair enough they have rules but I found this pretty stupid to be honest. It was quiet and the bike was stored in the back of the shop out of sight of everyone. Were they worried about marks on the floor I was happy to carry it. Should I have to work in the shop again cycling is a much better option for me than taking the bus.

I work in retail and there's been many a time where a cyclist have come into our shop(s) with their bike and no-one would bat an eyelid. They're there to spend money so I don't see the point in telling them to leave their bike outside.
Perhaps I'm ticked off over nothing but I can't see the harm in an employee bringing their bike to their place of work where it is out of sight of everyone else.

What do you guys think?

kincsem

Opinions don't count. The rule wins, unfortunately.

Beasty

Most shopping centres will ban bikes (I felt guilty one day wheeling my bike through one just to get to the bike shop inside!). The rule is probably there to stop people riding bikes in the centre - once you allow bikes in, you could end up with "undesirables" causing havoc in the centre. The problem is the rules are set to cater for what may happen at 2 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, not 9.30 on a Wednesday morning when the centre is deserted

Kintarō Hattori

Grumble grumble..... fair enough. Looks like it's a boring 1 hour stint on the bus next time.

HivemindXX

You can contact the building manager to find out if that's an actual policy or just one security guard with a problem.

In addition find out where your shop gets deliveries, if that's through a back entrance then you might be able to bring your bike in that way.

RacoonQueen

I'd wonder if it was just a security guard flexing his muscles tbh.

Maybe he was worried you were going to shoplift and escape via bike...

Beasty

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I'd wonder if it was just a security guard flexing his muscles tbh.

Knowing the Shopping Centre in question, I'll be amazed if they don't have a strict "no bikes" policy. One possibility may be to ask if you can bring it in before the Centre actually opens (9am most mornings), but as they have a cinema it won't close until very late and you will still probably be wheeling it through the main centre amongst the general public (unless you work at one of the 2 supermarkets within the centre, which I'm sure must have back entrances - I know for certain one of them does)

The Centre can be contacted at info@pavilions.ie - the Centre director is Ian Hunter, and Duty Superviser Joe O'Donnell.

kenmc

how about if you were to carry a bike frame in one hand, and a pair of wheels in the other hand, would that be ok? or how about something in a big black plastic bag say?

Zen0

kenmc wrote: »

how about if you were to carry a bike frame in one hand, and a pair of wheels in the other hand, would that be ok? or how about something in a big black plastic bag say?

I like your thinking

karltimber

put a piece of string from the handlebars to the saddle and tell him you just bought a piece of art.

will hang it up later

tomasrojo

I've brought a Brompton into the ILAC centre and into the library therein. No-one said anything. Unlike Dublin Bus.

kuro_man

If you cycle through the shopping centre, he won't be able to catch you

Beasty

tomasrojo wrote: »

I've brought a Brompton into the ILAC centre and into the library therein. No-one said anything. Unlike Dublin Bus.

I'm not surprised if eyebrows were raised if you tried to get a Dublin Bus into the ILAC Centre ....:D

Khannie

Oh man.....you are the kingpun.