Woman turned away from Sheffield McDonald’s drive-thru because she was on a trike

A Sheffield woman has criticised a popular fast food chain after she was turned away from its drive-thru because she was on a tricycle.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Rosemary Hill from the Sheffield Cycling4All cycling scheme for people with disabilities was feeling pleased after cycling the scheme’s new Berkel trike to Hillsborough Park last week, so scheme regular Alex Mills could try out it’s unique way of being powered by both hand and foot cycling.

To celebrate, she decided to call for a coffee at the McDonald’s drive-thru in Hillsborough - but was refused because she was using a tricycle instead of a car.

Read More
Amazing stone-carved tribute to NHS in Sheffield is mysteriously moved
Rosemary Hill on the Berkel Trike.Rosemary Hill on the Berkel Trike.
Rosemary Hill on the Berkel Trike.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rosemary said she was embarassed and, although staff were polite, it made her feel “rubbish” that she couldn't use her trike at the drive-thru.

“I was thinking about my friends, family, work colleagues and the cyclists in our group, who use their trike as a mobility aid,” she said,

"If they aren’t allowed to use their trike at the drive through, they are being excluded by McDonald’s.”

Just like drivers, part of the advantage of using a drive through style cafe is the convenience for a disabled tricycle user, as they would not have to struggle to park and lock their cycle before going inside a traditional cafe, said Rosemary.

Alex Mills enjoying the new Berkel trike.Alex Mills enjoying the new Berkel trike.
Alex Mills enjoying the new Berkel trike.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She added: “Many more people who have disabilities are now choosing trikes like these for their mobility.

“They could choose to use a taxi, but they say they want to do something physical, and to get around on something that reduces carbon emissions and is better for air quality,” she said.

"I don't think people like that should be excluded from the convenience of a drive through like this. I think McDonalds should think again about their policies.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “For the health and safety of our people and our customers, our drive-thru lanes are custom built for motorised vehicles and road-going mobility scooters.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"As soon as we realised the customer in question was on a tricycle, we politely asked them to enter the restaurant with the tricycle so that we could serve them safely, however the customer refused. We apologise for any upset this may have caused.”

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you.

Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.

Related topics: