The Chainlink

I stopped by the Walgreen's Pharmacy at Western, Milwaukee and Armitage on my way home from work today to pick up a prescription. I decided to go through the drive-thru, because the process of taking off and putting on my gloves, goggles, balaclavas, and helmet, then taking my lock out of my paniers, locking up my bike, followed by removing and carrying both of my panniers into Walgreens, for a quick pickup seemed asinine. I waited for about five minutes and the car in front of me stuck his head of the window to tell me that the cashier wanted asked him to let me know that they can not help bicyclists. So I went home. I called and spoke with the pharmacists who said that it is a safety issue, because another car can pull up, not see the cyclist and hit them. She apologized and stated that in this weather they should certainly make exceptions.

Regardless to the weather outside, I think its unfair that cyclists can not use the drive-thru. Anyone have similar experience or know of a place that has good drive-thru bicycle service?

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I went to Hyde Park McDonalds, found I had forgotten my lock so I went to drive through.  Was refused service at drive through, so took bike inside.  Got some stares, but also got my order quickly without mistakes.  

   If you are ever stuck inline waiting for inattentive employees, maybe you have your bike with you.

In terms of the Walgreens on Milwaukee Ave., what was disconcerting to me is that I often get served at that drive-thur. It's only recently that I've been denied service. It was the inconsistency that bothers me. I also found that article online about how Walgreens welcomes bikes at drive-thrus in Portland. I reached out to Jim in corporate communications and got this reply first:

The statement I made to Portland-area news media was in reference to stores in that community. Policies vary according to store management’s assessment of risk to cyclist safety.  In the case of the store you visited I was informed that it was determined that it was safer to ask cyclists to come into the store for service rather than risk their safety in the drive-thru lane.  I’m not familiar with the specific configuration of that drive-thru window and lane, but in their judgment, this was the safer policy.

 Thanks for letting us know of your experience.  I informed local management of your comments and I’m sure they will stay mindful of your views as they continue to evaluate how best to serve customers.

 

Be well,

Jim

 

James W. Graham

Corporate Media Relations

Walgreen Co.

108 Wilmot Road, MS #1845

Deerfield, IL 60015

p 847-315-2925

m 224-723-3440

f 847-914-3086

jim.graham@walgreens.com

Later, I was surprised to get this reply from the store manager...who was contacted by Jim. 

 

I am the store manager of store 2001 North Milwaukee.  I want to apologize for the encounter you had at our location with your bike.  I talked with our pharmacy manager about it and we will accept bikes through the drive thru in the pharmacy.  We are going to ensure that this message is communicated to our staff.  If you have additional questions don't hesitate to ask.  You may reach me at 773 - 772 - 2370 or by email at mgr.09000@store.walgreens.com.

 

Thank you

 

David Fischer

Store Manager 

So...in the end...a good result. 

-Brian 

Brian- thanks so much for following through on this and for posting the result!

Wow, very cool.

I would have loved to have the chance to be that cyclist you tried to outstubborn.

Who cares about hell when the line was already frozen. I've got all night...

lol



Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

Way to go, Brian ! ! Thank you for working in behalf of implementing change for our community ! !
The police would come eventually. I would win in the end.


Self-sealing Stembolt said:
I would have loved to have the chance to be that cyclist you tried to outstubborn.

Who cares about hell when the line was already frozen. I've got all night...

lol



Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

Wouldn't be the first time I was arrested. Cops don't scare me.



Tristan Jackson said:
The police would come eventually. I would win in the end.


Self-sealing Stembolt said:
I would have loved to have the chance to be that cyclist you tried to outstubborn.

Who cares about hell when the line was already frozen. I've got all night...

lol



Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

I'll be in contact with the store manager tomorrow, but was refused service again at the Walgreens at Milwaukee and Armitage. 

If they had simply said no service...that would have been one thing. Instead, they rudely said to me through the intercom "we're very busy inside, you're going to have to wait" and hung up. I have experienced long wait times at the window before...but I think biking through makes sense when it works...so I stuck it out. 15 minutes later, a guy picked up the intercom and said "the manager has decided we are no longer going to serve bikes in the drive through lane. He's determined it's too dangerous. Too much of a liability." So...here we go again. I'll let everyone know what they say tomorrow when the manager is in. Thanks, Brian 

Whether or not businesses want to allow cyclists in their drive-thrus is their prerogative. Personally I don't see why not. If there's a policy against it, though, it should be posted to avoid any confusion.

I think it was determined much earlier in this discussion (like years earlier) that this Walgreens does not have a policy against it.

New(ish) Manager John Walker sent me an email reply and called me to let me know he's spoken with the pharmacy staff...and he said, in no uncertain terms, they should serve anyone who wants service at the drive through, "whether they're walking, on a bike, or even on top of an elephant." He was super nice and apologized that they were confused about the policy. He said the pharmacy staff gave him every reason in the book not to serve bikers...and he said he shut all those reasons down. 

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