Motorcycle Forums

CBRGaz...

"it takes 10 seconds to take your helmet off and makes the whole process a lot easier - just suck it up and chill out a bit"

Yep, in summer it does (though your earplugs will probably pop out onto the diesel soaked forecourt), but in winter with a balaclava tucked deep into my jacket (all of which would need removing to ascertain my age) it would be a major PITA & has made me boycott Morrisons who are bizarrely the only company to announce a blanket rule like this... full credit to Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, ESSO, Shell & many others for not following suit... an ill thought out rule probably decided in a meeting where no-one  present rode a motorcycle... & why should they care about our custom?

Interestingly I had an email conversation with the person who implemented this rule last year... I asked if he'd pay for my £500 helmet if it was damaged (considering they don't give you anywhere to put it) or stolen... he declined to answer this & many of my other concerns.

Email Petrol Director Mark Todd (PM me for address) if you wish to voice your opinion.

Forecourt.

Flip-front helmets conceal your hair so they're still not really allowing positive facial recognition on a grainy CCTV image. I don't usually mind removing my helmet as it's a courtesy, although in bad weather I'd sometimes prefer to keep it on and the heat in.

I chose to fill up at Sainsbury's recently because they have 'Pay at Pump', so I left my helmet on, pre-paid and got 5p worth in before the pump stopped. I waited but nothing happened so I went into the kiosk and the attendant said for safety reasons I'd have to dismount to fill up. He didn't know what those reasons were though. I didn't kick up a fuss but two minutes later another rider did. I felt sorry for the attendant. Unexplained edict from the management, poor devil!

Several forecourts round my way insist on the dismount. I find it more awkward than filling up astride the bike. One place told me it is because someone lost his footing whilst astride his bike and toppled over, swilling petrol everywhere. Another told me it was because I might fill up and then ride off without paying, although on that occasion I had already taken my helmet off so I pointed out a fast get-away was unlikely. They'd have had my face and bike reg on camera too. In this MCN article even Customer Relations didn't understand the reasoning.

Good Old Spain

When on the bike, I sit astride it and the chappie fills it up for me, while we have a chat.  I pay him when he's done.

When in the car, I hand my keys to him and sit in the car until he's finished.  He gives me the keys back when I pay.

Service with a smile - always

(I bet they don't smile in Morrisons, even if you DO take you lid off.)

Helmets

The arguement of 'dismount as you may fill up & ride off without pay' doesn't hold water.

How many times do you see a driver sitting in their car while a passenger fills up?

Should they be made to get out of their car?

Are they ready for a fast 'drive off'?

Most fuel stations have CCTV. In the time it takes to fill up they'll have you on camera, albeit with a helmet on, but 'drive offs' normally get caught by recording the reg. rather than the face of the driver (unless they are well known to the police).

At many supermarkets that also sell fuel you have to drive forward to the kiosk to pay.

From the Children's Legal Centre Website.

Petrol stations- the Home Office has recommended that no one under the age of 16 should be permitted to serve petrol, however, this is a recommendation and therefore not legally enforceable

yet Trading Standards website quote.

Petrol
It is illegal to supply petrol to anyone under 16.

I have filled up twice, once on & once off the bike. I must admit it seemed easier on the bike.

I open the visor when filling up (stops it misting up) so fumes won't get trapped even if they weren't heavier than air as has already been mentioned.

If the garage/supermarket won't serve you fuel point out that you are willing to remove your helmet providing the sign says ALL head/face covering items (including burkas, hoodies etc.) and that the policy is ALWAYS enforced by ALL of that companies businesses. Until then it's discrimination (biking IS a religion to some )

Odd

So even if wearing an open face helmet, you could be plnning to rob the garage?

Strange how every security guard that either collects or delivers cash to a supermarket, bank etc all wear helmets, yet they are never considered a threat.

I usually fill up at ASDA or Tesco where they operate a pay-at-the pump system. If I was requested by a forecourt assistant (now thers an oxymoron) to remove my helmet, I would, but it would take me foreever toput it back on gain and free up their pump