For nearly ten years now, I have been bicycling through the drive-up window at the local bank branch
(through various name changes).=A0 But last week, the Bank of America teller (a new face everyday,
tells you how well they manage their resources) informed me that I could no longer use the drive-up
window unless I was in a car.=A0 They of course have no bike rack and how ironic is it that this
branch is directly on a city designated bike route just a couple of blocks from the Pinellas
Trail.=A0 Which is precisely (location, location, location) why I have been using it for years!
The City of Saint Petersburg has an aggressive plan to put trails and other bicycle friendly
ammenities throughout the city.=A0 But how much good will it do us cyclists to have new bike lanes,
trails, etc to use if we are not welcome by the local businesses, restaurants, and government
agencies?=A0 The current green and white "Bike Route" sign sits directly infront of this branch's
front window (at 13th Ave and 66th street).
One of the tellers said that she believed the change in policy was due to the insurance company.=A0
Well, that sure would be odd, since in all the years I've been doing business there, I've seen
plenty of fender benders, but none involving a bicycle.=A0 Why not try it the other way?=A0 Let ONLY
bicycles use the drive-up and help prevent insurance claims!=A0
I would like to know why the many national organizations that I have been donating money to for many
decades now, don't use their clout to address these basic and extremely important issues (like bike
racks, use of drive-up windows, etc) with these corporations and goverment agencies on a nationwide
basis?=A0 They should have the clout to correct these grievances!
Well, the bottom line for me is that I will be closing my account at Bank of America as they are no
longer of any use to me, and I will join the employee credit union like everyone else!=A0 Perhaps
Bank of America's insurance company will reimburse them the couple hundred dollars in banking fees
that I have been paying them every year for nearly a decade!
Best Regards, Kurt Polakoff St Petersburg, Florida
www.geocities.com/solarcyclist
Please visit my online photo albums of the Pinellas Trail and Florida's Suncoast at:
pictures.care2.com623811898Open ↗