Tesco fails to cope with bike rack requests

 
Tesco small format stores have sprung up all over Harrow - rather like funghi in a forest after a rainstorm. There's yet another one planned for Pinner Road (near West Harrow station on the old Apollo pub site) so you could do a Tesco crawl.
 
Harrow Cyclists argue that the Express format is ideal for bike-riding customers. Most people only buy a few items so no one needs the 4x4 required for a shop at one of its largest stores.

 
But while Tesco has stretched the planning process to open its stores, spending a fortune on lawyers, it is less willing to consider basic cycle racks outside its stores.
 
The big central Harrow store has a tiny bike parking facility hidden away - it used to be more prominent but was moved to make way for a money making children's ride.
 
The existing Pinner Road store has a nearby rack but that is because it is a neighbour of The Bike Shop.
As for the others, most are rackless.
 
Now this is what Tesco promises on its website.
 
Tesco aims to apply the principle of sustainable development, meeting the needs of the present without
compromising future generations:
- Tesco, its directors, officers and employees will at all times comply with all applicable laws and regulations
relating to the environment.
- We will develop, maintain and implement policies, procedures and management systems to assess and
monitor, on a continuous basis, the environmental impact of our operations.
- We will set targets annually in order to achieve continuous improvement.
- All senior management shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Tesco policy, including the
establishment of programmes and reporting requirements throughout their organisation.
- We will incorporate in our environmental practices the best available technology that is economically
achievable.
- We will minimise the use of all materials and energy and not use any materials derived from endangered
species.
- We aim to apply the principles of reduction, reuse and recycling to the management of our products and
their packaging.
- We will communicate regularly with our stakeholders, including shareholders, staff, and customers, on
matters of environmental policy and practices.
- Tesco is committed to reporting on its environmental performance through our website,
Social policies
 
Sorry, if that is overlong but it is worthwhile reading.
 
Now how does that translate into reality?  
 
 
 
The official line from the superstore is:
 
'Tesco are keen to promote active and healthy lifestyles.  We look to ensure that cycling facilities are provided for our customers wherever possible.  Listening to our customers is extremely important to us and where customers are seeking additional cycling facilities, we will seek to work with them.'…
 
But there is no one in Tesco centrally who is charged with bike usage policy or who can be contacted to discuss this matter.
 
Instead, the best Tesco can suggest is for cyclists to contact their local store.
 
This has problems.
 
1. The manager may not be around
2. The manager may not be sympathetic
3. Even if sympathetic, the manager may not have the time.
4. And even with the time, the manager will not have  the expertise and ability to deal with the issue.
 
But, nothing ventured etc....so a big attempt at writing to Tesco with details of where we want bike racks will at least show Harrow Cyclists are serious.