The Chainlink

No more free parking at McDonald's Cycle Center

I found out yesterday that the Cycle Center will no longer allow non-members to park their bikes there. The explanation was that with all the construction going on, they were having issues and the city was making it worse. This starts on May 1. I for one, am totally bummed. 

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Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on April 23, 2013 at 11:10am

The famous expression is that "there is no such thing as a free lunch".   The thing is that the parking is not "free" any more than TV is "free".   It is available to you without a supplemental charge, but you pay for it because you have to put up with the advertising.   And that's what McDonalds was really paying for when they purchased the naming rights/sponsored this.   The change to a charge basis (and only with the "full service" access) is a big change.   John and Jack Doe might not want access to the shower if they are using it on the weekend.  They might only want the secure parking (which is what was provided before).  Now it has an enhanced charge of $8 to $10.   A family of 4 is looking at $16 to $20.  All new charges.   And ultimately they will associate this with McDonalds.  If I were in McDonalds corporate I would be fuming.



blair_ said:

I would assume the parking behind the bike garage would remain as is since it's outside?  Right now they allow free parking on the lower level - I assume that's what they're talking about.

Honestly, I would never expect to get free indoor parking unless it was included in an office building or apartment.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Lewert on April 23, 2013 at 11:43am

From what I learned yesterday, they will no longer offer daily or any other options other than the standard $30/month fee.

Permalink Reply by blair on April 23, 2013 at 11:46am

Good to know about the daily passes.  Pretty sure the annual passes aren't changing - I haven't heard anything, and I'm a member.

Sarah Lewert said:

From what I learned yesterday, they will no longer offer daily or any other options other than the standard $30/month fee.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on April 23, 2013 at 11:49am

Sarah, I'm still unclear.  Does this apply only to the spaces inside the building, or also to the racks outside?

Sarah Lewert said:

From what I learned yesterday, they will no longer offer daily or any other options other than the standard $30/month fee.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Lewert on April 23, 2013 at 11:50am

I'm guessing just inside. I didn't specifically ask about the outside. Surely they can't stop people or charge you for parking outside.

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Sarah, I'm still unclear.  Does this apply only to the spaces inside the building, or also to the racks outside?

Sarah Lewert said:

From what I learned yesterday, they will no longer offer daily or any other options other than the standard $30/month fee.

Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on April 23, 2013 at 11:51am

I think the number of people who see the "McDonalds Cycle Center" on a map or brochure (and possibly associate McDonalds with a healthy lifestyle) far, far outnumbers the number of people who might happen to come in looking for a day pass and get turned away.

McDonalds probably couldn't care less about the pricing change.

David crZven 10.6 said:

The famous expression is that "there is no such thing as a free lunch".   The thing is that the parking is not "free" any more than TV is "free".   It is available to you without a supplemental charge, but you pay for it because you have to put up with the advertising.   And that's what McDonalds was really paying for when they purchased the naming rights/sponsored this.   The change to a charge basis (and only with the "full service" access) is a big change.   John and Jack Doe might not want access to the shower if they are using it on the weekend.  They might only want the secure parking (which is what was provided before).  Now it has an enhanced charge of $8 to $10.   A family of 4 is looking at $16 to $20.  All new charges.   And ultimately they will associate this with McDonalds.  If I were in McDonalds corporate I would be fuming. 

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on April 23, 2013 at 12:41pm

In essence, the center is being turned from something which could potentially serve anyone coming down into Grant Park into a private club for the 300 or so members.  This is something that SHOULD be of interest to the Bicycling Community.  And it will be of interest to those that come down to a concert, for example, and are turned away.  And they tell their friends and so forth.  The real question is what steps can be taken to accelerate this into a sufficient PR disaster for them to put pressure on the City.   

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

Yes, McDonalds is getting their advertising value out of the millions of people who visit Millennium park and see "McDonalds Cycle Center" on maps and signs, not the relatively few people who actually park their bike there.



BruceBikes said:

I think the number of people who see the "McDonalds Cycle Center" on a map or brochure (and possibly associate McDonalds with a healthy lifestyle) far, far outnumbers the number of people who might happen to come in looking for a day pass and get turned away.

McDonalds probably couldn't care less about the pricing change.

Permalink Reply by blair on April 23, 2013 at 12:46pm

Why isn't anyone demanding that Millenium Park install more outdoor parking?  I'm not following why a paid bike garage is responsible for the parking for all Millenium Park events?

Yes, it sucks and I'm glad someone pointed it out.  But turning this into a PR disaster?  Really?

Permalink Reply by Jason W on April 23, 2013 at 12:54pm

That isn't a democratic state, that is socialism.

David crZven 10.6 said:

The website, naturally, does not report the change.   Its an all too sad commentary on the state of the City and the further division of society into the class of haves and have nots.   The best way to develop a democratic state is to have many services available to everyone regardless of income and without any "needs" tests or "fees".  Yet here in Chicago, even things such as Public Schools now have "school fees" which a parent must pay or go through a long rigamarole to prove that the parent cannot.   That's contrary to the basic concept of a public school with uniform opportunities for all.

And the idea that now only "members" who can afford the monthly or annual fee (admittedly not that high a fee) can have safe bicycle parking is similarly non-democratic.  And it is targeted at the less avid rider -- someone who we should be encouraging to ride.

The good news is that we do have an option.   What is the name of the bicycle center?  McDonalds.   A corporation subject to public pressure.  My guess is that it would not take that much pressure for McDonalds to pressure the city to reverse this decision.   Does McDonalds really want the City turning people away from a facility with their name on it earning their resentment.  

Here's a link to send them a message on their Social Responsibility Page:

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/contact_us/social_responsibility/soc... 

Anne B. said:

Any idea if there will there be a day use fee if someone wants to lock up just for a day, or do you have to get a monthly membership? 

Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on April 23, 2013 at 1:11pm

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what construction would be impacting the Cycle Center?  Has work begun on the Bicentennial Park redesign?  (I don't get over that way very often.)

In any case, I can't imagine how construction would have an impact on the amount of free parking the Center can offer.  Maybe maintenance costs or city permits/fees have gone up which requires the operator to increase the amount of membership parking to offset the increase.  But construction?  Anyone have any other ideas?

Permalink Reply by blair on April 23, 2013 at 1:14pm

Yes, that work has definitely started.  Not sure how that impacts parking though - thinking about asking the front desk before my ride home tonight.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 23, 2013 at 2:18pm

The Bicentennial Park makeover started months ago.  I don't see how that would have a significant impact on the bike station.  Is there other construction closer to the bike station that does have an impact?

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