Paradise Bicycles Paradise Bicycles practices class discrimination IMO Fort Myers Florida

I had an unusually bad experience when I was shopping for a new Trek bicycle at Paradise Bicycles in Fort Myers, FL., off Six Mile Cypress.  I went in to ride several different models to decide which bicycle fit the best.  I was assisted by an employee that kept asking to hold my I.D. /driver's license before I could test a bike in the parking lot.

I thought nothing of it until I noticed that he did not ask my friend for his I. D. when he tested Trek for himself.  I stayed long enough to notice that other customers were not asked for their I.D. before testing out a bicycle.  My relative noticed it too and that is when I confronted the owner the following day.

I called the owner to explain how I felt about her employee's selective policy of screening people he deemed a risk.  Instead of an apology, she defiantly defended her employee's right to ask for a driver's license from whom ever he liked.  I called this class discrimination and she tried to defend herself by denying the practice.

I just want to warn others that unless you are dressed the part, you may face discrimination which is quite humiliating.  Furthermore, I called other Trek dealerships in the area to find out if they asked for I.D.s before allowing someone to test a bike and they said no. 

In additon, the other Trek dealerships said the only reason they thought the dealershop would retain my driver's license is if I appeared untrustworthy or shady in character. Paradise Bicycles is in an upscale shopping center and not in the "hood," so to speak. 

Now I understand how it feels to experience discrimination in the racist south.  I sympathize with my sisters and brothers of color that go through this daily.