my plebgate stories and other tales of jobsworths

It's not at all like the gay cake episode as you are not refused access to the hotel or store, as in your right to the service is not impeded, nor is it based on your beliefs, or sexual orientation.

You are merely asked to leave the bike outside or take headgear off.
(which has to be done evenly, as you said, but I don't think cyclists are a protected group under the law)

Pedant cos there was some shite talking about the cake isn't not even funny ^_^

It all hinges on the positive discrimination of Brompton owners

Hinges....
Bromptons.......

FNAR!

I've held a number of licences (for licenced premises) and the one thing you don't do is show some logic - this was the legal advice we were (repeatedly) given.

i.e. if you refused service you stuck with "I am refusing service", as the moment you gave any reason you opened yourself up to accusations of prejudice etc.

If you stuck to "I am refusing service, as is my right" then that's you proof against anything - even if you are a renowned pineapplist.

Yeah, just to be clear that was just an example of where discretionary powers of business owners meet human rights. I'm not suggesting that being able to take a bike in a shop is a human rights issue.

I'm a white, hetero, man in my 30's and I try to be mindful that I'm in just about the least discriminated-against demographic imaginable.

I bet you're a terrible dancer though.

...but can swim like a beaver.

cyclopedia would not let me bring my bike into their shop on high st kensington. i did not give a shit when they went bust.

Nw :)

Hope my post didn't sound too personal, there was just lots of misinformation online about the case.

Aw, I love this place! Friendliest forum on the internet™ group hugs.

For the record I am a terrible dancer but I am entirely non-buoyant.

I wheeled my bike into an empty postoffice (just off hackney road), only to be told that "no bikes are allowed, didn't you see the sign?". I was in a hurry and asked the post-person to look for my parcel whilst I removed my bike but they refused and got rather shirty with me.
I can half understand not wanting bikes in (mainly when it's busy) but the sign needs to be better than a handwritten A5 sheet and what is the point in refusing to help until the bike is removed? Could have saved us both some time.

Similar experience,
had to go along to local sorting office to claim a non-delivered RM parcel.
Was told could not bring bike into 'Collections' area due to 'crowding & congestion problems'. No sign printed not handwritten.

Pointed out that bike would cause more crowding & congestion outside,
either on the disabled access ramp, or the landing for the stairs access,
as there was/is no provision for bike parking,
and,
the Collections area was empty except for me.
Sanity prevailed and I was allowed to collect my parcel: a new 'D'-lock.

Personally I think it's ok for somebody to not want me to bring my outdoor vehicle into their building.

A post office is a pretty sensible example - they're used regularly by couriers, if they let every courier in with their bike it might get a bit chocka?

Queensway postoffice always lets me bring my bike in. As have all courier depos in north west ldn.

West > East. Dealwithit

etc

Belfast post offices let you bring it in, providing you park it well out of other people's way.

Seems to vary per post office perhaps?

Streatham PO didn't let me bring my bike into the empty collection point, but they were OK with me leaving it propped up in the doorway which was much more in the way.

(just to continue the pocsb's)

Never had a problem taking a bike into North London PO collection depots; even the new smart one in Tufnell Park!

Both Balham and Streatham post office collection depots have pretty clear signs forbidding bikes IIRC.

Makes sense as they're both tiny.

The sign or the depots?

If I need to collect a parcel, providing it isn't massive and heavy. I take my Brompton to the collection office, fold it up and take it in.

It is is something big, then its the CC and I just bungee cord the package to the rack. The Fulham collection office has a bike rack for the postie bikes and staff I guess, and I just use that. They have never told me not to use it. There is a railing, but there is a sign telling you not to chain bikes to it.

The depots

The one in Clapton was fine with me bringing my bike in...
1-1

If they don't allow bikes in the sorting office order a Brompton addressed to yourself and when you collect it unwrap it and unfold it and ride out flicking the vs.

Or indeed a full-sized bike and assemble it there and then.

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