Remove helmet at petrol station?

[phillh]

For the first time in 40 odd years of riding bikes, this afternoon I was refused fuel at a Texaco petrol station unless I removed my crash helmet. I declined on principle, rode a mile or so up the road to a BP station where they were happy to serve me and was even told 'have a nice ride mate' by the attendant when I paid.

Is this common practice? Do you comply or go elsewhere?

[sprintster]

If they shouted through a tannoy telling you before you filled up I would just give them the finger and ride off.I been told to take my helmet off once I've gone to pay in a couple of Tescos before (but never in my local one) but I just keep it on and ask if they want my money or not. :pinch:

[Ravers]

I always take my lid off, it's hardly a pain in the arse. It's courteous to the staff in the petrol station and makes them feel less intimidated and threatened, in what must be a pretty dull and thankless job. I know we're not in the states where petrol stations get robbed at gunpoint every five minutes, but it's still not particularly safe for them.

It's also worth pointing out that most drive offs are by bikes. Their cameras generally point at the front of the vehicle and we obviously don't have plates on the front. The police don't even bother investigating drive offs where I live and the petrol stations (which are often private franchises, I.e small family businesses) have to swallow the cost themselves. It's just another measure for them to try and prevent theft from their premises and protect their business.

Why be a dick about it? It takes 2 seconds to remove your lid and if those are their rules, then while you are on their premises you should obey them.

[picos mestizo]

Very common in Shell stations. Even have Icons on the pumps @ some stations.
I don't like it but I do like V Power Nitro+ so I oblige.
Like everything in life now days the tiny minority spoil it for the majority.............or...........are we all being tarred with the same brush depending on which way you want to take it.

[devon john]

I always take my lid off, it's hardly a pain in the arse. It's courteous to the staff in the petrol station and makes them feel less intimidated and threatened, in what must be a pretty dull and thankless job.

Why be a dick about it? It takes 2 seconds to remove your lid and if those are their rules, then while you are on their premises you should obey them.

do they ask a woman to remove a berka ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NO

i don't wear my helmet when buying petrol but that my choice ,

its not right that SOME are allowed ,, and others not that the problem.

john

[steve172]

I tend to take mine off, but if I have a flip face helmet on I just flip it up.
On a long ride, it's nice to take your helmet off for a few minutes anyway, when you fill up.
Never been asked to remove it, but probably because I don't wear a full face in anyway.

[Ravers]

I'd wager that 100x as many bikers visit your average petrol station each day than women clad in burkas. I live in Cumbria and I have never seen a woman wearing a burka anywhere up here, not least in a petrol station.

I'd also wager that 100x more bikers steal fuel from petrol stations than women in burkas.

Generally women who wear burkas don't drive anyway. It's rare for them to leave the house without a male chaperone.

[ratass]

I always take my lid off, it's hardly a pain in the arse. It's courteous to the staff in the petrol station and makes them feel less intimidated and threatened, in what must be a pretty dull and thankless job.



do they ask a woman to remove a berka ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NO

i don't wear my helmet when buying petrol but that my choice ,

its not right that SOME are allowed ,, and others not that the problem.




Good point john

[picos mestizo]

Here we go again ......

Just healthy banter with no personal insults (thumbs)

[sprintster]

I always take my lid off, it's hardly a pain in the arse. It's courteous to the staff in the petrol station and makes them feel less intimidated and threatened, in what must be a pretty dull and thankless job. I know we're not in the states where petrol stations get robbed at gunpoint every five minutes, but it's still not particularly safe for them.

It's also worth pointing out that most drive offs are by bikes. Their cameras generally point at the front of the vehicle and we obviously don't have plates on the front. The police don't even bother investigating drive offs where I live and the petrol stations (which are often private franchises, I.e small family businesses) have to swallow the cost themselves. It's just another measure for them to try and prevent theft from their premises and protect their business.

Why be a dick about it? It takes 2 seconds to remove your lid and if those are their rules, then while you are on their premises you should obey them.

I'm talking about standing in a queue in front of the counter with a Tesco Club card in my hand...I'm not likely to decide to do a runner or pull out a gun!