Is this too rude?

Posted by Competitive-Theme-25@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 59 comments

E-Bike commuter question-

With gas so high I’m going to start commuting again with my electric bike.

I don’t really have a good place to put it because I work on the second floor and the bike is cumbersome and really too heavy to carry up and down stairs daily. .

So THIS YEAR- I’ve earned a ‘reserved parking’ space at my work for 15 years of service. Sounds trivial but it’s probably the only perk I’ve had there, so I’m kinda proud possessive of it.

- anyway, back to my question- I’d like to PLACE and secure an official bike rack in my spot.

Essentially, I would be taking up an entire parking space just for my bike, which would prevent others from using it.

I’m thinking it would really erk others. How inappropriate is that and how entitled would that appear to others? What’s your opinion?

And any suggestions for storage alternatives, bike rack suggestions or how to secure it without drilling, is appreciated.

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HoojoSpifico@reddit

Wait wait wait. After 15 years the company you work for gifted you a parking spot? That's almost worse than big corporations and sandwich day.

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Negative-Wishbone634@reddit

Why not offer a co-worker the spot with the idea that you can lock to their vehicle if possible.

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MidnightHeavy3214@reddit

Some bikes can be folded and are light weight for carrying indoors

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Forego the space if they install a couple bike lockers. Might let them know that bike use is growing exponentially and other employees may need a place for their ebikes too, including any clients, that might visit.

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unseenmover@reddit

If its your spot park there

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QUEENSNYLAWYER@reddit

speak to management. and you should definately bolt a bike rack right in the center of that spot so no car can use it.

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DrFabulous0@reddit

You needn't take up a whole spot for just one bike, you can fit a whole bunch of bikes there.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

I would love that and a lot of folks suggested it. But I’m literally the only staff member that bikes to work. Not many commute here north of Dalla.

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DrFabulous0@reddit

Well, that might change if gas is silly expensive and there's somewhere to park.

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Wizardsneverdie-@reddit

Who actually asks these kinds of questions on here?! Talk to your company or find somewhere else to park it? It’s not hard. Or do what the fuck you want and see what happens. Why do I read this shit, idk

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

The person asking is me, I am Char Carlat. 2. My ‘company’ gives me a lot of leverage. It’s more about my colleagues.
3. Why ask?- Because I’m looking for ideas, feedback and opinions with those that have more experience with e-bike commuting than me.
4. Regarding ‘do whatever I want and see result’- true and good obvious advice.
5. LRegarding asking yourself why you read this- IDK. You really should have just scrolled on. .. But the bigger question is why did you not ONLY read it, but took the time to respond to me and your own self. FYI- I learned a lot on the post from feedback. FYI-Do not read any of the above comment.

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pnwloveyoutalltreea@reddit

You could push for a general use bike rack, and then if denied offer to put one in your spot for all to use. You could be a Hero.

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Massive-Technician74@reddit

I was just gonna say that

Request a multi bike rack....and share the space with other bikers

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Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit

Great idea...👍

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bobo5195@reddit

What country are you in? More for culture stuff.

I would agree with others ask for a general then can switch.

A folding T-line brompton would be carryable and could use a car as storage which is something I have done before :)

Be careful of losing a perk from previous management bullshitery.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

US. Texas. Only one of 200 plus staff ride their bike. And that’s intermittent. Hey. Can you tell me more about the T Line Thing. And use a car as storage? U mean someone else’s or what? I’m confused.

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bobo5195@reddit

I had a brompton that rode to work on - Germany and UK. honestly just left my Car at work most of the time and folded my bike and left my stuff in there. Drove back on Weekend to replenish.

Could get a Texas sized car :) and you probably can have a full bike and

Brompton T-line electric is 11kg for the bike which could go upstairs.

https://www.brompton.com/p/1764/electric-t-line-e-motiq-system-4-speed-uk?Colour=Blasted%20Titanium&Handlebars=Low

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Mediocre-Ant-7178@reddit

Park a car in the spot and lock your bike in there while you're at work. You can leave your car at work on days you don't need it.

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wedstrom@reddit

If they don't provide adequate non car infrastructure, it's not your fault for using the car infrastructure they provided.

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mmeiser@reddit

Nonsense! You are not taking a whole spot for your bike! You are providing parking for 6-8 other bikes! It's not rude. It's a wonderful enticement others to bike commute as well!

The company should be providing a secure bike area right up near the building or perhaps indoor parking. And what about a way to charge bikes!

I would talk to management. Ebikes are above all healthy. I would bet people who bike and not drive to work are more productive and healthier in the long term.

Indeed th biggest gain I have found in the last four years at 5000+ miles a year is the mental game. I love my commute and it bookends the day with something extremely positive. No matter what happens at work it keeps it all in oersoective.

Call ke an odd duck but got hit with a major storm on the way home the other night and it was absolutely wonderful. Not just dozens of frogs all over thetrail but several salamanders including a couple absolute beasts. One about 9" long. I am an outdoors person through and through. Life is to short to waste it away sitting in metal boxes.

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TheDinerRoadster@reddit

Ask your employer if there's somewhere on the first floor where you could stash your bike. Failing that ask them if they'd install a bike rack somewhere outside, with rising gas prices they might be agreeable.

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chestersfriend@reddit

and if they say no if you're putting in a bike rack ... offer it to other co-workers. Earn some points ?

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BiblioFlowerDog@reddit

My first thought, too! A double bike rack if it would fit, so that others could use it too. How nice that could be!

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Pizza-Rat-4Train@reddit

This is a great idea!

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thereia@reddit

If you added a bike rack, couldn’t it accommodate more than just your bike? That might ameliorate bad feelings, by sharing it with other bikes.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

Well I’d absolutely love that but I’m the exception. And a lot are suggesting that, but I’m Literally the only staff member of 200 that rides a bike. Our infrastructure here is NOT biker friendly. I’m in Texas. A town North of Dallas. The land of big trucks.

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Dapper_Challenge2179@reddit

It's not your parking lot so you can't do anything to the pavement unless the owners of the property agree, just keep that in mind. If you wanted to put a bike rack just sitting on the ground then ask management first so you don't waste money. If they approve then get the biggest and heaviest you can get for the spot, then get a cover to put over it and your bike.

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Educational-Boot-579@reddit

Auction off your parking spot once a quarter to your coworkers. Then with the proceeds you can pay for a bike rack to be installed.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your help… so a lot of folks here are saying put an ANCHOR. WHAT do you know about THAT? It sounds like a doable solution.

I’m in Texas, north of Dallas, and it’s very rare for folks to commute with a bike.
The infrastructure just is NOT made for this around here. However, they just finished putting a sidewalk that goes to the main road. This allows me safe passage on the most dangerous road of my commute. That’s Progress.
I used to ride my bicycle and it was so much easier logistically to get in and out of the building, and carry the bike to my room.
I underestimated the weight of an e-bike. Even getting in the building with the swipe card was horrible… by the time I was able push the bike through, the door would shut on me. I have to have both doors open.

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Educational-Boot-579@reddit

P.S. I lived in Texas for a time as a bike commuter. A lonely difficult path. Good for you! That is badass!

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Educational-Boot-579@reddit

Doing anything like that would require permission from whoever controls the parking lot.

Only way around that would be to park something so enormously heavy in your parking spot that no one would bother to try and move it. Then remove it when you leave. I think that would be cost prohibitive.

My suggestion is talk to your work about finding a solution for you to secure your bike and let them give the parking spot to someone else. Least amount of hassle or trouble.

But maybe you just want to be a generous man and pay for the materials and instalation of a protected space to lock up bikes. Most companies would at least think about that. Then quietly monetize your earned benefit your employer gave you as a bonus. One could interpret that as 3 wins. 4 if other bikers use the protected bike parking space you provided. SUPER BONUS is you could put a plaque on it with your name! Or a goofball nickname like trousercough. Because laugher is good and everyone laughs at fart jokes.

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Voxicles@reddit

I’ve seen folks with motorcycles in apartment complexes get a couple 5 gallon Home Depot buckets, fill them with cement and press/drill thick eye bolts into the cement. Lock your triangle and front to each bucket. Sure, a couple dudes with a truck could probably get your bike, but the average tweaker isn’t going to be able to do anything.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

Dang! That’s creative. I love this!

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Educational-Boot-579@reddit

Happy to help. I have had a direct hand in many work place rules or practices being implemented. If done well they will name it after you.

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TammyInViolet@reddit

Where did you park your bike last time?

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

In fact, in retrospect, that is one of the reasons I stopped riding it. Literally nowhere to lock it without fear of someone jacking with it. Carrying it upstairs just isn’t an option. Even bringing it in the building I barely was able to even unlock/swipe the entrance without the door closing on me before I could even get through the door.
My thought is that if it’s out in the open, in an official open spot, it’s less likely to be messed with.

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TammyInViolet@reddit

That helps with context! Since it is your spot can you pick your favorite person at work to park there and then you park your bike at the front of the spot long ways and lock your bike on the sign (assuming they have a pole with a sign saying it is reserverd)

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

Hmmm. This gets me thinking in another direction- But yeah,, there’s no posts. Just a reserved parking area sign at the Entrance with our numbered passes. As I write this, since I’m allowed in there, I might be able to lock it to the big reserved parking sign. I’ve just been paranoid about people jacking with it. That bike is my prize possession.
Right now though, I’m going to explore the Anchor thing people are suggesting here.

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

In the coaches office in the gym. I can tell they weren’t too appreciative of it. It gets muddy and takes up their space.

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trtsmb@reddit

Honestly, this is a question you should pose to your employer. Reserved space doesn't mean that you can install a bike rack in it and secure the bike rack to the ground.

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Jesters__Dead@reddit

Buy a big broken down old van with a low rear, leave it in the parking spot and use that to store your bike

In the UK, modern office buildings have secure cycle parking, and provide lockers and showers for people who bike to work

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No-Computer-9408@reddit

Wow

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Syed117@reddit

If it's your spot you should be able to park whatever you want there, but inside is definitely safer.

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Au_Fraser@reddit

Bro just bolt a fuckin ring to the ground who gived a fucj

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ConsciousEquipment@reddit

fax

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MenuSpiritual2990@reddit

People can be petty jealous assholes. And I think there’s a good chance some colleagues might be resentful of you for doing that.

Could you invite a couple of colleagues to also lock up their bikes in that spot? That would offset any negative perception issues I think.

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Reelair@reddit

People who were just stuck in traffic, burning expensive fuel, would be irate when they see OP roll up all happy after his ride in, parking in his reserved spot, as they're still struggling to find a parking spot. Then OP can tell them about his ride in as they walk to the door.

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GrumpyBearinBC@reddit

Are the gas meters in a reasonably accessible place? If so get a good heavy chain and just park it there. Generally people are adverse to cutting gas lines to steal something. You do not need to carry the chain with you since you will be using it each day.

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Existingsquid@reddit

What country are you in?

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Competitive-Theme-25@reddit (OP)

US. TEXAS

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TBL34@reddit

I would rent the spot out to pay for the e-bike 😂

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OnlyRuss@reddit

I love it. I mean, it’s YOUR space, yeah? Car, van, motorcycle, bicycle, Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, etc. It is YOUR prerogative so fuck ‘em - bolt a loop into the ground like you see sold for motorcycles and lock away!

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WatchClassic7897@reddit

Your spot car or not brotato chip

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zoomflick@reddit

offer the rack to other bikers as well, so long as they leave a spot for you. The company should provide a rack though. I'll bet there are others that would like to bike to work as well.

A few years back, I was biking to work a lot and asked my boss if they could install a rack. I don't know how much he spent but he got this rack that was lighter than a bike and was not anchored to the ground. Anyone could just pick up the bike with the rack and throw it into the back of a pick-up or something.

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Big_footed_hobbit@reddit

It is your spot. You could park a motorbike there. So I’d just do it.

My employer installed extra bike spots with some basic tools.

Really useful

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