Beyond FURIOUS!!!

I just went to fuel up at a major fuel station on the way home. The do not allow you to enter the store to pay but have a wall slotty thing to slide money in or to pass out the cash point machiney thing.

There was no fuel coming out so I looked at the attendant who mimed that I had to remove my helmet before he would allow fuel to come out of the bowser.

He said it was the law to remove helmets when riding a bike. I, not so bluntly, pointed out that it was a company requirement to remove the helmet upon entering the premises which I was not doing!

I have never felt so discriminated against!! Everyone was looking and staring. It was near midnight and everyone else who was filling up was laughing.

Am ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS!! I googled it and a heap of bikers over here have had the same treatment. Am disgusted!

 

My mom worked for Morrisons in the petrol station and she told me that it was becoming policy shortly (may already be here now) that no petrol will be allowed until the helmet is off the rider.
This is due to the large amount of people riding off without paying, the police cannot convict if they cannot confirm who was riding the bike without a shot of the face.
Not sure if open face helmets are allowed.

May not seem fair but it's quickly becoming to rule....sad but inevitable

 

Yeah but I don't believe me wearing a hoodie, sunnies and baseball cap is any different !

 

Just posted the same above comment onto my Aussie forum (BRC) on FB and was just ridiculed and put down something shocking! Couldn't believe the lack of support from fellow bikers. Was told it was a 'firstworldproblem' and to 'suck it up'.

Couldn't believe it!! Probably more disgusted in their response than what happened at the servo!

Hence, I am no longer in their forum - don't need people/bikers/friends/riding group that are like minded like that!

 

Really aggravates me too! When asked to do so I simply re-holster the nozzle and ride off.
The most annoying thing is I wear a flip-up helmet, so they can easily see my ugly mug!!!

There is an item on this very subject in this week's MCN.

 

I remember seeing footage of people wearing father xmas outfits and an array of other costumes and the garage didn't batter an eyelid. Yet, as soon as they wore a lid there was a problem.

Do what i do and throw the pumps on the floor and never return .... There's footage of that on Youtube somewhere

 

Yeah I was going to do just that, but I was on reserve already 50km into reserve, so thought I shouldn't chance it trying to find another open at midnight, otherwise I would have gladly just driven off!! Let's see what the company's reasoning is?? (http://www.facebook.com/woolworths?fref=ts)

 

If you can , boycott that garage and make sure people know why. Try wearing a burkha next time?

 

I have to take my lid off otherwise I'm just going to end up spraying petrol over my bike (I'm that clumsy)

 

Believe it or not Alan, if you go to pay at a service station here in Oz they make you remove your face shield for the burkha!!!!

 

Have to try a turban then?

 

Same thing happened to me at the Total Garage in T/Wells last sunday, I have filled up there for the past few years as never a problem with keeping your helmet on. Anyway a cashier I've not seen before wouldnt start the pump and pointed to his head, I just dropped the nozzle on the floor and rode off....if they want to inconvenience me then I'll inconvenience them.

 

Got a formal apology from Woolworths & Caltex. It is NOT policy to remove helmet for filling only for entering the building. Did comment that the staff member dis not feel safe so asked me to remove lid. Challenged him that it was discrimination to all bikers & they'd be open for a class action for discrimination. Asked how that we'd be more threatening than someone in a burkah or baseball cap/hoodie/sunnies. He quickly backed down. ALL staff in ALL stores are being retrained on the correct procedure and apologies to me & all fellow bikers!

 

result

 

Well done Rachelle.