r/ElectricScooters • u/Sea_Of_Phones • 2d ago
General Drive thrus?
Hey guys, I wanna hear your experience going through fast food drive thru if yall have ever done it?
Was out and about and decided to place a mobile order with McDonald's, I get there and I get rejected, I was like dude I already ordered all you gotta do is give me my food?? What if this was my only mode of transportation? Nopeeeee!! Can't give you the food, made me so mad so I went off on them and left but the least they could've done was "educate" me on policy and give me my food as a 1 time courtesy??
Edit : it was after 10pm where the inside is closed.
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u/pyrotechnicmonkey Vdm-10/Vsett 8 2d ago
Unfortunately, it’s completely dependent on the location and most are gonna be against it. Unfortunately, I think it might be an insurance issue where they don’t want anything in the drive-through that’s not a car. Cause I guess if you’re on a bike or scooter and you’re hit by a car that’s behind you. You could probably sue them if they weren’t following their policy and disallowing anything that’s not a vehicle. You are technically able to cancel the order in the app In the app. I unfortunately ran into the same situation except at the time I was on a bicycle.
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u/Meatyparts 2d ago
I've had places not let me go thru the drive thru on a moped I don't get it
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u/KidNueva 2d ago
I kinda get it. They don’t want to be held responsible if an accident happens, they don’t want ANYTHING to do with it. It’s their property, their rules even if it seems ridiculous.
But what’s even more ridiculous, we’re adults. If we are comfortable being able to take that risk I think we should be allowed. If something happens, it should be between the idiots that caused it, regardless if we’re the idiots.
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u/Glyph8 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s an insurance thing. Idiots being idiots and getting injured on their property potentially affects their insurance. A lot of drunk (or just inattentive) drivers go through drive-thrus and get in fender-benders, but a person on a bike/scooter/on foot could be seriously injured or killed by someone in a car. So from their perspective it’s just not worth it to have anything but cars going through the drive-thru. Too much risk.
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u/Past-Meaning1656 2d ago
me at drivethru https://youtu.be/48YxgG9eVvs?si=v1_X9DQoWQZ4Jrla&t=43
timecode link
idk man your mcdonalds sucks, im pretty confident i could pickup food at any drive thu even at 2am on my scooter
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u/First-Management-511 2d ago
I’ve been through the drive through on my scooter before no problems. I reckon it’s a restaurant by restaurant kinda thing, and possibly depending where in the world you are.
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u/Laserdollarz 2d ago
I hit the drive thru liquor store on my ebike all the time. Owned and operated by immigrants so I get lots of BROOO and fist bumps. I would expect to get turned away from any chain, especially something like McD's.
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u/Old_Satisfaction2738 ZT3 Pro 2d ago
Did you order at the big outdoor menu and and then get rejected at the pay window? Or did they reject you at the big outdoor menu and not even let you get to the pay window?
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 1d ago
Placed an online order and at the menu they ask you for your "pick up code" they didn't even ask me for it they just straight up said we can't serve you
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u/Old_Satisfaction2738 ZT3 Pro 1d ago
That's wild. I have walked up to the drive-thru before, and gotten service.
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u/funcentric 1d ago
What restaurant?
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u/JustNathan1_0 Yume Raptor 2d ago
“fine. refund me. I’ll take my business elsewhere”
ive walked through drive throughs before. Theres no reason they shouldn’t serve you from the vehicle you are driving.
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 2d ago
Exactly!!!! If I'm only allowed to ride escooters in the road, then in my eyes and the polices eyes it's considered a vehicle.
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u/TheChamp_1989 2d ago
I've used mine on a few it depends some sensors won't pick up that you're there so I usually say hi to get the attention of the person on the other side but I've also used an app to order something then use the drive thru option and been able to do it
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u/Liarus_ Gspace Mars 11 GTR 1d ago
i did once as a pickup order in the drive through / pickup order, and they just stared at le for 10 minutes like i didn't exist.
then i asked the lady "so.... my order is ready or what?"
gave them my order number and only then i got my food.
i was parked IN the parking spot for pick up stuff btw, this was at a mcdonalds.
so yeah, i can probably do it again but they will just ignore me as they don't expect scooters i guess
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 1d ago
Yea I always do curbside at this location while on my scooter but they stop at 8pm so I assumed it would be as simple as going through drive thru give them my order number and everyone's happy and on their way, but I guess not.
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u/ValuableShoulder5059 1d ago
So the issue on why places closed the dining room early and went to drive through only was robberies. Harder to rob a drive through, but then it was done by people walking up and jumping through the window. At least with a vehicle they have cameras and a plate #. Even if it's a stolen car, they can usually tie the stolen car with the robber. I think insurance companies and local ordances got involved. Pre covid, I had that issue pulling a trailer- I couldn't fit through the drive through. They always serviced me when I climbed out & walked the couple feet to the window though. During covid, my pickup broke down for a while and I used my bike, that worked fine going through the drive through, but it also wasn't "after hours" either. Plus they wanted to do business with people but couldn't open the inside dining room.
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u/MattGarcia9480 Ninebot MAX g30lp Spintend vesc 18s 65h 22x3 10kw. Yume y11+ 1d ago
Fast food drive thru are not consistent. And then depending on the manager on shift is how you will be treated. Ive gone through pharmacy drive-thru and served and ive gone to the same pharmacy different manager on shift and completely refused to serve me. Ive made a mobile order and went through taco bell drive thru and waited to say I have a pick up order and no answer on the intercom so I rolled up to the window and they gave me shit said I need to go back around and order. I said why? I already made my order and it says its ready. Ive been denied lobby access in the middle of the day and then go to drive thru and they tell me they cant serve people outside of a car. Im like lady it's 1pm and I want lunch, and its already paid for stupid.
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u/Realistic_Owl9525 Nanrobot LS7+ 72V, Arwibon GT06-Plus 1d ago
I deliver for Doordash and Uber.
Fast food places that close their lobby before the drive-thru cause a lot of issues. Most of the time they're fine with it, but sometimes the manager is a try-hard and gets all uppity about it. Modern stores have walk-up windows to solve this issue, but the majority of stores in my area haven't been updated yet.
If they constantly make an issue of it, just call the store and if they answer the phone ask them to run it out to you as a curbside order. If they don't answer the phone, then run it thru the drive thru and say that you had attempted to comply with store policy but they didn't answer their phone so you had no other choice.
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u/Maintenancehaul Add your Scooter! 2d ago
I’m sure there is a policy against it but every location is different, some really don’t care and some are even okay with you walking the drive thru after the lobby has closed.
Pick a different location
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u/Dripz167 Nami Burn-E 2, Vsett 10 Single Motor 2d ago
Yeah McDonald’s has a lame ass car-centered policy about ordering via drive thru. Because apparently going 5 mph isn’t enough to stop them from hitting people. But some local towns have laws against it, especially in those that driving is the main mode of transportation. Also there’s weight triggers at drive thru so they won’t know you’re there unless you’re in a heavy vehicle.
Some people really order a cab to go through the drive thru. Insanity.
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u/funcentric 1d ago edited 1d ago
I tried to do that on a bicycle in college b/c only their drive-thru was open and they denied me too. Yes, they made the food already and all they had to do was collect money. Apparently it's against policy b/c it encourages people to ride things in the drive-thru which exposes them to more danger if they get rear ended. That's what they say. But I know, if you're the only one there, then that risk doesn't really exist, does it?
Technically, they're right though. It's a drive-thru - not a ride-thru.
You can blame all the crazy law suits in America for rules like this. We should be able to assess our own risk and take responsibility, but no. The guy in the drive-thru if got hit would be waiting for a payday.
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u/dankp3ngu1n69 1d ago
Some places use a weight sensor and you don't weigh enough
I have to go to the window and knock at Dairy queen
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 2d ago
After hours. " I just got off late work shift and man am i starving"
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u/LeagueOfLegendsAcc 2d ago
How is that any different?
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 2d ago
Only mode of transportation
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u/LeagueOfLegendsAcc 2d ago
The scooter is my only mode of transportation as well and I've never needed to use a drive through. I just park and go inside like a normal person... Maybe try that?
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 2d ago
Sorry by after hours I meant the inside is closed and only drive thru is open???
Maybe you try that next time????
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u/idahononono 2d ago
I believe it has to do with if your vehicle is considered a “car”. Motorcycles are a yes, bicycles are a no. If your city considers scooters or e-bikes “motorcycles” you may be able to get food; if not then they will consider you a danger in. Most chain drive thru places and they will reject you getting food. I found this out in college in 2000 when I couldn’t get Taco Bell on my bike after dorm parties lol.
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 1d ago
Yea my city considers escooters and ebikes as "motor vehicles" hence why I'm not allowed on the sidewalk or bike trails..only on the road. Guess their policy just needs to catch up with the city.
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u/euge_lee 2d ago
I'm on their side. Why would you take a scooter, bicycle, or anything other than a car through a drive through. Maybe sit in a mobile pickup parking spot but not the drive thru.
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u/Sea_Of_Phones 2d ago
Totally understand but ebikes/emotos/escooters are getting wider and longer, it's not like I took one of them small kick scooters through there 😂. If I'm allowed on the road with cars without the police flipping out, I should be allowed in the drive thru dont you think?
In my city I can only ride escooters on the road, but no drive thru where everyone is going 5mph? Looks like they need to catch up with regulations
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u/Nami_Pilot Burn-E2 base/ 7260r v5 2d ago
What's your logic there? How is it any different than a motorcycle?
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u/euge_lee 2d ago
Motorcycle is a street licensed and a registered vehicle. You can’t walk up to a drive thru either. It’s intended for vehicles coming in off the street.
Im not saying it’s right or practical but it’s just how their policies and likely insurance requirements are written.
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u/Dripz167 Nami Burn-E 2, Vsett 10 Single Motor 2d ago
lol imagine if they have to verify your license status to use the drive thru, if that’s the only differentiator.
But wasn’t your question why you would bring anything other than a car to drive thru? Simple, you’re on wheels and the restaurant lobby is closed. What’s the difference in wheels, policy and insurance aside?
Idk maybe they have a lot more mobile pickup spots after hours outside my area or something, because usually that’s not an option after the lobby is closed. It’s like the weirdest form of “no shoes, no service”
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u/BradyBrother100 2d ago
Here's a post I made on r/cycling
https://www.reddit.com/r/cycling/comments/1hej4pe/bikes_in_drive_thrus/
I would assume that all of this could also apply for scooters.
TLDR: Wendy's, Freddy's, and Panda Express all didn't have issues with me on my bike. Starbucks and Taco Bell denied me. Chick-Fil-A lets you place a drive thru pickup order and select "Bicycle" as the vehicle. (Not scooter though but I'd still give it a go) But, going up without an order already placed is hit-or-miss.