Walgreens discriminates against cyclists?

While commuting to work on the bike I got a call from the pharmacy saying my order was ready. I told them I could come right away. I road over and used the drive up window (I had done this before without incident) but this time I was refused service for "safety reasons". No bikes or pedestrians in the drive thru. I asked if I could bring my bike into the store as I don't carry a lock because I can park in my office. The person said said "no". I told them I am already in the street with the cars and the person rephrased saying "it's a liability for us".

Every business has liabilities and that is why they have insurance. My view on this is they just want to keep there insurance premiums low. I'm sure there insurance premiums would be even lower if they didn't have a drive up at all so really it's a matter of there own decision making of value to risk. I would hope that the risk to business will soon be greater to turn away the cyclist than to pay the additional premium or provide additional infrastructure to support ride-ups.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on July 1, 2015 at 4:45am

Not the first time this has happened. 

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/turned-away-at-walgreens-d...

It's also possible that the insurance company won't insure them at all even at a higher premium if they allowed cyclists. Are there any mom n' pop pharmacies in your area that you can give your business to instead? Maybe a privately owned or local pharmacy would be willing to let you bring your bike inside. 

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 2, 2015 at 2:17am

"It's also possible that the insurance company won't insure them at all even at a higher premium if they allowed cyclists" - possible but improbable but we are both only speculating.

I wish there was a non-corporate pharmacy to go to around here.

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 2, 2015 at 2:12am

That's part of the issue. Why does the motorist get "catered to" while the cyclist has to be inconvenienced. For the motorist can simply park and lock the door. Most cars these days have keyless entry so really how hard is it to park and go in (unless attending an infant, etc.). For a cyclist it can be a hassle with panniers and accessories to be dismounted.

How about motor cycles? Street legal scooters? Do they have more privileges because they make more pollution?

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 3, 2015 at 3:42am

Who said anything about being "catered to"?  - I did ..... and I don't expect the world to revolve around cyclists, for the most part, I'm a motorists. I'm happy to lock up and go in if I know that it is required ahead of time.

The point is there is truly no issue with using the drive up on a bicycle see: http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/mcbike-let-s-bring-it-to-c...

or http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/07/01/drive-through-for-cyclists-ma...

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on July 1, 2015 at 6:23am

It's a pretty understandable policy after that rash of bikes crashing into Walgreens, damaging the buildings and risking (and causing, in some cases) injury to customers and employees.

Like this: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/traffic/2014/07/05/vehicle-cra...

And this: http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/27642865/salvation-army-bell-ringe...

And these: 

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_28183101/car-plows-into-walg...

http://www.local10.com/news/driver-taken-to-hospital-after-car-cras...

http://www.wlwt.com/news/police-driver-injured-after-car-crashes-in...

Oh, wait. Those were cars, not bikes. My mistake.

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 2, 2015 at 1:55am

On 53 in Bolingbrook.

I found out from my wife that that don't serve cyclists or peds in the drive up at her bank but she said she would probably help them but tell them to NEXT TIME come in the lobby to be safer.

Personally I think it would be only reasonable to have a sign posted so I could see it and know not to come there on a bike. After all, without the sign I'm already on my bike and in there drive thru.

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 2, 2015 at 2:22am

Maybe we should get Rahm on the case. He wants a cycling friendly city, have him hammer through a law ensuring the right to the cyclist to use any drive thru....

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 2, 2015 at 2:32am

Apparently it's a liability to have pedestrians in the store: http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510550651-walgreens-customer-al...

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on July 2, 2015 at 4:03am

If it is too dangerous for a bicycle to use a drive up at 0 mph, it is too dangerous to park in the parking lot and walk to the store at 3 mph.

Permalink Reply by Jamais716 on July 2, 2015 at 6:58am

I've walked my bike into Walgreens to go to the pharmacy a few times in different locations with no problems. If they don't stop you right when you walk in, they won't kick you out by the time you reach the pharmacy window :-)

Permalink Reply by yai danche on July 3, 2015 at 2:08am

A lot of the Chicago Walgreens have a security guard at the door and they let me leave my bike with them.  I did have a cashier chastise me for rolling my bike to the pharmacy when there were bike racks outside.  I had to admit that was bratty of me to do.  I don't think bikes are inherently dirty, tracking in no more dirt than a rolling suitcase or a stroller which people usually allow.  But if I was an employee and had to mop the floor, I might feel differently.  

Permalink Reply by Aaron Bussey on July 2, 2015 at 7:06am

If you want to be even more lazy about getting your meds try their option that is even better than a drive up.

Free Walgreens Med Shipping for the laziest of the lazy

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