Those of you who spend thousands of dollars on a good bike, like myself, will know how important it is to lock that bike wherever you go in order to keep it safe.
The last thing I would want to do is leave my bike outside for a quick dash into the mall only to come back out and find that my bike has disappeared.
It is an unfortunate reality that I have to consider the safety of my bicycle while cycling to the mall, and one of my favorite places to shop is Walmart, which is why I must consider its safety while cycling.
There is a good chance that you too would like to know if you are able to park your bike safely in Walmart if you go there on your bike.
The good news is that this article will provide you with everything you need to know about taking your bike to Walmart, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Let’s jump right in, without wasting any more time, and let’s get started right now.
How True Is It That Walmart Is A Biker Friendly Store?
I know many bikers who can attest to the fact that Walmart is one of the most biker-friendly stores in the country.
It wouldn’t take long for the staff members to offer you a number of options, such as pointing out where you can park your bike safely. Other times, they would offer to look after it for you while you go shopping.
In some Walmart stores, you will also be able to push your bike with you as you shop. However, if you prefer to park your bike near the shopping carts, you are also able to do that as well. All you need to do is ask a member of the staff to keep an eye on your bike while you shop.
Is there a bike parking area at Walmart?
There are some Walmart stores that do not have bike racks for bikers, but there are plenty of Walmart stores that do have bike racks for bikers.
Bicycle racks are usually installed far from the entrance of the store, and although this is a very thoughtful move, most cyclists do not use them because they believe the distance makes it easier for thieves to target the bike.
Nevertheless, you can always ask the staff at Walmart to help you if you are unlucky enough to visit one of those stores that doesn’t have bike racks.
I would like to know where I can lock my bike outside of Walmart
There are a number of bike racks outside most Walmart stores, so you could always lock your bike to any of them. Alternatively, you could attach your bike to a grocery cart and lock it with a U-lock.
It is important to note that if you are going to lock your bike away from Walmart premises, then you will need to make sure that the bike is attached to something solid. This could be a tree, a pole, or even a fence, whichever object cannot be easily lifted by someone else.
In addition to that, you should ensure that it is placed somewhere where people can easily see it if someone tries to do something fishy with your bike.
Is it possible for me to bring my bike into Walmart with me?
There was a time when it was perfectly acceptable to bring your bike into Walmart while you were shopping. But things are changing. The rules are changing, and things are changing fast.
It has been reported that there are some people who get offended when they see other people bringing their bikes into the store. As a result, you may find that some Walmart stores do not allow people to bring their bikes inside.
It may not be convenient for you to have a bike in your store, but the store is trying to protect the interest of people who consider seeing people with bikes in the store unhygienic and inconvenient.
If there is no bike rack outside to park your bike, what should you do?
In some Walmart stores, there are no bike racks available. If there are no bike racks available, you are advised to try any of the following options:
The chain needs to be removed from the gearbox.
In the event that you remove the chain from your bike’s rear gears, no one other than you can ride the bike. If possible, take the chain with you to the store while you lock the bike to any solid object outside. That way, your bike is less likely to be stolen.
Make sure that both wheels are locked together at the same time
If you want to discourage a thief from stealing your bike, you can make it difficult for them to do so by tying your front wheel to the rear wheel of your bike. In addition, you should tie your frame to the front wheel of your bike as well.
It is necessary to remove the front wheel from the vehicle
It is similar to the option above, but with the main difference being that as you take off the wheel, you can also take it along with you. I wonder how a thief would intend to steal a bike with one of the wheels missing.
Make sure that the bike seat is removed from the bike
Another thing you can remove from your bike is the seat of the bike. The thought of someone stealing a bike without being able to ride it as a result of the lack of a seat may dissuade someone from stealing it.
The best way to place your bike is to place it in the middle of others.
You can hide your bike in the midst of the parked bikes if the bike rack has been filled up with other bikes. Thieves will normally be in a rush to steal and won’t have time to check which bike is unlocked, so you can get away with placing your bike where secured bikes are while you go shopping since thieves will not have time to check which bike is unlocked.
You should hide your bike when you are not using it
As a last resort, if all of the other options do not work, then you will have no other choice but to hide your bike. You will need to find places that aren’t easy to see and hide your bike there. Some great places to hide your bike include bushes, behind parked cars, a dumpster, or somewhere else that it can’t be seen easily.
Conclusion
You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to making sure your bike is secure when you’re out in the open.
You should think about driving to Walmart or any other store that you shop from if they don’t have bike racks for parking bikes, rather than riding them to the store. It is harder to steal a car than a bike parked in a parking lot.
It is perfectly acceptable to bring your bike along if there are bike racks available, but if they do not, do not bring it along.
You can also try to see for yourself whether the store has a bike rack if you are unsure whether it does or not.
In any case, if there are no bike racks and you need to secure your bike, make sure to follow our tips if there are none.
Leave a Reply