Valet Bicycle Parking - Reducing congestion at special events

Many people spend more for their bicycles than I did for my first car. Moreover, bicycle enthusiasts take pride in customizing their bikes the way young men did their cars in the 1960s.

But with all this time, money and heart invested in a bicycle, cyclists are often unwilling to leave it just anywhere as bicycle thefts are rampant in most cities. This makes encouraging cycling a challenge in many cities, especially to special events where vehicle parking is at a premium.

Enter the bicycle valet parking service. In cities around the world, groups are now making this service work, particularly at special events. Whether true or not, San Francisco's cycling community is often credited with being first to establish consistent valet parking services at special events.

This service allows people to cycle to the event, often right onto the grounds, and not worry about their bikes and cycling gear while they enjoy the festivities. By contrast automobile drivers often must park blocks away and pay a premium. Transit users often have long walks from the nearest station.

I first saw this a few weeks ago at a special event in Vancouver and wondered how it worked and whether it is secure. It works like a coat check. You ride up, leave your bike, get a tag, and use it to reclaim your bike. Volunteers or paid staff guard the secure area. Thefts from valet services are virtually unheard of. By contrast, thefts of bikes left chained to trees, street signs, etc. at major events remain common. Moreover, bikes chained to anything and everything along the street become a hazard for pedestrians.

Not just cyclists benefit from bike valet services. As reported by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, event organizers have learned that establishing a valet parking area for bikes can help alleviate the stress and congestion of limited parking spaces. It can also boost attendance at events where parking and transit access are known to be limited.

While right now cycling is challenging in my life, I used to cycle a lot. In the future, I could see my family heading to certain special events by bike if we could rely on a valet service to look after our bikes and bike gear.

Would such a service make a difference to your community or you personally?