Pedaling to the Letter: How One Council Worker’s Epic Bike Rides Took Malicious Compliance for a Spin
Imagine being told you’re doing your job wrong—by following the instructions you were given exactly. Now, picture turning that bureaucratic boomerang into a summer of sun, sweat, and some seriously questionable office logic. Enter the tale of u/exteacherisbored, whose two-wheeled tale of Malicious Compliance has the internet spinning with laughter.
When a local council’s anti-remote work crusade collided with a contract’s fine print, a humble environmental worker found himself cycling more than 60 miles a day to comply—literally—to the letter. What started as a policy misfire turned into a pedal-powered protest that left management out of breath and outmaneuvered.
When Remote Work Meets Road Rash
It all started innocently enough. Our protagonist was hired by the council to work on sites scattered along a river—decidedly not near the council’s main office. The job description was clear: remote work, occasional office visits, and absolutely no access to work vans. Nor did the contract require a personal vehicle.
But then, the winds of change (and, perhaps, a whiff of stale coffee) swept through management. A new regime, convinced that everyone’s most productive in the office, decreed: “All staff must begin their shift at the base office. No exceptions.” The OP (original poster) tried reason, explaining that the office was a 16-mile bike ride away, and that their actual work was nowhere near it. No dice. Management stuck to their spokes—er, guns.
So, with summer in full swing, OP did as commanded. Each day started with a 75-minute ride to the office, a smattering of admin, then another long ride out to a work site, a bit of fieldwork, and then back to the office. By the time the day was done, over 60 miles had been logged, and very little actual work was completed.
Wheels of (Malicious) Compliance
What’s better than following the rules? Following them so literally that the rule-makers have to confront their own absurdity. This is the essence of Malicious Compliance, and Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance community ate it up.
Commenters chimed in with a symphony of cycling puns and pointed observations. u/CoderJoe1 quipped, “That’s wheely great MC,” while u/Crabby_Monkey added, “Took the council a while to cycle through it but they got there eventually.” Even management’s learning curve couldn’t keep pace with OP’s daily mileage.
But it wasn’t just about the puns. Insightful comments picked apart the council’s policy, highlighting how rigid rules—disconnected from on-the-ground realities—can backfire spectacularly. As u/bsb_hardik put it, “Classic we know better than you hence follow the rule as we are… voted for this!” Sometimes, the higher-ups don’t have all the gears meshed.
Pedal Power and Policy Pitfalls
Sixty miles a day isn’t just a test of resolve—it’s a test of brake pads, chains, and human endurance. When u/jimr1603 wondered if OP at least expensed mileage, it sparked a mini-discussion on the economics of active commuting.
“Not more than 58 cents a mile or whatever this year’s rate is!” mused u/Naikrobak, while u/Squirrelking666 added, “Winter, on the other hand, will eat drivetrains.” Apparently, even bureaucratic blunders have a carbon footprint—and a maintenance bill.
The story also resonated with others who’d experienced oddball workplace policies. u/Rich4477 recalled, “A company I worked for in the past made pet food and hired students to ride bikes around the neighborhood checking for smells. The students loved it. Riding bikes all summer for a decent wage.” As it turns out, being paid to cycle can be a dream gig—if only by accident.
The Finish Line: Council Eats Its Words
After months of this daily Tour de (Council) France, management finally noticed that work output had slowed to a crawl. Accusations flew, but OP had all the receipts: contracts, emails, and a logbook full of kilometers. In the end, the verdict was clear—OP had done exactly as instructed, nothing more, nothing less.
Quietly, and perhaps a little sheepishly, management relented. OP was told they could consider their ‘base’ to be the actual sites where the work happened. Common sense prevailed, but not before the council learned a costly, cyclical lesson.
As u/BeauRiley5543 succinctly put it: “Anddd that’s how it should be done, bravo.”
Conclusion: Sometimes the Best Response Is to Keep on Rolling
This story isn’t just a hilarious victory lap for Malicious Compliance fans—it’s a pedal-powered reminder that flexibility matters, and the people on the ground often know best. When rules ignore reality, clever employees might just take those rules for a joyride.
So next time a higher-up hands down an impractical edict, remember: compliance can come in many forms, sometimes with a helmet and a pair of padded shorts.
What’s your favorite workplace compliance story? Have you ever outmaneuvered a silly policy? Share your tales—and your puns—in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: Ok, I will cycle around all day instead of working