[SDCBC] [CABO] Fw: [sbbike] Restrictions on bicyclists at drive-up windows?

[John Forester]

I don't use drive-up windows at all, but I have observed their 
operation when purchasing through other routes. I see no reason to 
suppose that serving a customer walking in or bicycling in would be 
any different from serving a motorist, four-wheeled or two-wheeled. 
There might be a supposition that the single operator would buy less 
than one who might be buying for more than one person, but that seems 
insufficient to exclude the business. From what Eldon wrote, it 
appears that some operations conduct drive-in business after closing 
the inside business for the day. In that case, it is certain that 
such businesses would lose all the walk-in business in any case. So I 
think that the problem is not one of efficient operation of the business.

I suggest that, except for the after-inside-hours situation, walk-in 
business is irrelevant; the pedestrian can walk in the front door as 
easily as to the drive-in window. Bicycle business is different, 
unless the business owner wants to allow bicycles inside his store, 
difficult I think in many fast-food businesses that don't cater to 
shopping-cart traffic.

So what's the problem? Obvious, I think. The business owners 
recognize just how dangerous bicycle traffic is, when conducted in 
the same lanes as motor traffic. Those irresponsible bicycle riders 
must be controlled and kept in their place lest they irritate and 
drive away the profitable motoring customers and drive up the 
insurance rates to unpayable heights. After all, that's precisely the 
basis for society's program for bicycle transportation; it is 
unreasonable to expect the owners and managers of 
Easy-In/Easy-Out/Speedy Foods to think otherwise.

I harp on this theme, but that emphasis fits the situation.

John Forester, MS, PE
Bicycle Transportation Engineer
7585 Church St.
Lemon Grove, CA 91945-2306
619-644-5481 www.johnforester.com