Valet Bicycle ParkingEdited from Wilkipedia

Wilkipedia Full Outline:

How does it work?

Valet Bicycle Parking is a service provided to bicyclists by trained staff and volunteers. Bicycles are parked in secure fenced areas at the entrance to festivals, sporting events, and other high-traffic destinations to make bicycling convenient and to reduce traffic congestion. For a suggested donation, cyclists get a claim check that they return to receive their bicycle when they leave. This not only ensures the safety of their bike, but it creates a centralized gathering point (aka social spot) for all the cyclists attending the event -- this encourages people to ride. We are helping people discover the ease of bicycling around town for commuting, shopping, or going to school. Valet Bicycle Parking opens about an hour before an event and closes an hour after an event. Similar services are provided in bicycle-friendly cities across the nation.

Valet bike parking is like a coat check for bicycles

Cyclists are issued tickets in exchange for their bikes and our staff guards them in a secure enclosure.

Give event attendees peace of mind

People don’t ride to events where they have to worry about their bikes being stolen or vandalized. A bike parking service ensures that even small bicycle accessories and lights will be safe. Cyclists appreciate the peace of mind of knowing that their bicycle is being guarded by an organization they trust.

Encourage safe cycling

Our valet staff are able to spot safety issues with bicycles that are checked in and either correct them or alert the owner. We can also advise event attendees on routes and other useful information for their next trip.

Bike Valet keeps it clean

Keeping bikes in a single or small number of parking corrals is a great way to maintain an orderly presence at your event.

Reduce traffic congestion

Encouraging more people to bike to your event is a great way to reduce the traffic congestion that comes with big groups of people and large parking lots. Several thousand cars descending on an event means community disruption and attendees grumpy from long searches for parking. Given a little encouragement many will come by bike, significantly reduce the number of cars coming in to your event.

Get more people at your event

Faced with the nightmare of driving in the city, many people prefer to ride to local events, but can't really enjoy themselves if they're worried about their bikes. Secure parking means more will visit and stay longer. Bike parkers can offer a smile and information to attendees as they show up at your event and are trying to figure out where to go.

Valet Bike Parking Service Requirements - 2011

The Valet Bike Parking logo should be included on all event promotional materials with a statement similar to “Valet bike parking will be provided by the Mid-MI Active Transportation Coalition.”

 Valet Bike Parking should be located near the event's main entry to provide the most visibility.

 Valet Bike Parking location should be shown on your event map to facilitate its use by attendees.

You will need to supply the bike parking area with a secure corral perimeter

Valet Bike Parking will need adequate volunteers providing security at all times.

Valet Bike Parking Organizers Manual 2011

There are 2 Persons, one representing each organization, to make this work:

1 - Event Organizer’s Responsibilities

  • Promotion of Valet Bike Parking, utilizing press kit supplied
  • Provide fenced secure area, a table and a couple chairs
  • Provide volunteer staff for setup & teardown
  • Provide a responsible festival staff for onsite management during the event, take responsibility for the bikes

The following is handled by Valet Biking Coordinator

2 - Valet Bike Parking Representative Responsibilities

  • Provide press kit to festival organizer, assist with location of parking area
  • Coordinate delivery and pickup of equipment, provide setup and training services
  • Train volunteers
  • Manage monies and reports

Setting Up

Make it look professional, safe, and informative.

Information Posters Visibly Posted for Customers

  • Must have claim to check to retrieve bike
  • Liability Waiver Flyer
  • Time to Pickup Bike

Information Poster on back of Message Board for Volunteers

  • Check In and Check Out Procedures
  • Contact Phone for Questions or Problems
  • Volunteer Worker Schedule
  • Notice – do not leave area unattended, or give bike to a person that does not have claim check
Registration and Office Area
  • Claim Checks and Supplies
  • Donations Jar
Literature Distribution Area
  • Promotional Literature from Sponsors – PLEASE PROMOTE & DISTRIBUTE – This visibility is the primary reason all this work and effort is being done…
Rider Services Table
  • Water Jug
  • Air Pump
  • Rubber Bands for Trouser Leg

FAQ – The folks in San Francisco made this sheet…

Bike Parking is REQUIRED at certain events / To promote bicycling and reduce bicycle theft, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted the Bicycle Transit Enhancement Plan in November 1998 (ord. 980564), enacting numerous reforms and benefits for bicycle transportation. Among other things, Section 2.76 was added to SF Administrative Code to authorize monitored bicycle parking at large public events, with the requirement that for all events incurring a street closure, "Monitored bicycle parking is required for events with an anticipated number of participants greater than 2000".

How does it work?

You sign a claim check and give us the bike. We give you the stub. After the game, you give us the stub and we give you your bike back.

Do I need a lock?

No. The lot is secure and attended at all times. But bring one anyway; you might want to stop somewhere for a snack after the game.

Is it safe?

Yes. We've been operating bike parking at events since 1994 and have never lost a bike. Just don't lose your ticket, because we'll give the bike back to whoever has it..

But I have a very expensive bike! Are you sure it's safe?

Yes. Every bike is valuable to its owner. We watch them all the same.

Can I leave my stuff with my bike?

Yes. Because we can't inventory your accessories, we can't be responsible for them, but anything securely attached to your bike will be safe.

How much does it cost?

We love tips, but getting people out on bikes is too important to turn them away for lack of funds! Most people feel we're worth the Muni fare they saved.

What if I can't get back in time to pick up my bike?

Don't worry, we won't get rid of it, but our staff might get grumpy while staying overtime and fill your tires with water. Don't be late.

Will there be delays checking in?

Since cyclists don't get stuck in traffic and never miss a bus, there's a rush just as the anthem plays. We've been keeping the line short and the wait under 3 minutes on the way in, but you may have to wait a little longer getting your bike back out.

Will you park my GoPed?

No. We don't do gas engines. Go park with the cars.

How about my Zappy, skates, jogging stroller, etc?


Yes. We'll park anything electric assisted or human powered, but human powered vehicles take priority. If it looks like the facility is going to fill up, we reserve the right to turn away electrics. Bring your charger - we have outlets! If this page didn't answer your question, email .

Valet Bike Parking Services & Resources – Partial List from Wilkipedia

Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective

Does this for downtown Salt Lake City events such as the Downtown Farmers' Market and the Twilight Concert Series. In the summer of 2008 they parked over 5,500 bikes.

Active Transportation Alliance

They provide Valet Parking at many down town events through the summer, night time movie nights, food, cultural events, triathlons, and the end of family bike ride. Simple snow fencing, for the outside barrier, three staff, metal racks for 500 bikes, and paper claim tickets for the patrons.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

They do this all the time at major events, and have lots of answers for anyone interested in setting up a bike parking program at your location.

Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

This is one of our most effective outreach avenues. We charge event organizers for the service, and provide as much extra service to users as time allows: safety checks, oil and air, helmet fit, where to ride, etc. Our outline of this service is here:[1]

Pedal & Park, Indianapolis, Indiana /

We're beginning our 13th year of parking bikes and our 9th year with a sponsor, whose support allows us to make the service free. We are all-volunteer, with workers coming from two bicycling organizations, one greenways group and the city parks department. Until last year, we parked routinely at six area events -- art fairs, Bike to Work Day and the state fair. Last year, we added another five events and parked almost 4,000 bikes total. In 2009, we have scheduled 13 firm events and one tentative event.

We use numbered wristbands with perforated numbered stubs. We tape the stubs to the bikes and put the wristbands on the people. A lost wristband is VERY rare. We also ask people to sign in on a liability form, leaving a cell number where we can reach them. The form also includes optional demographics/marketing checkboxes and the option to sign up for email newsletters. You may download the 2008 form as a Word document or as a PDF file. Our racks are pipes suspended between 2-x-4 tripods. You may download the plans as a Word document or as a PDF file. Pedal & Park web site

Community Cycles in Boulder, CO / provides weekly small scale valet bicycle parking for our local Farmers' Market, and several large events per year, including one overnight event where bikes are parked near the finish line the night before a 10k run, kept secure by volunteers, and returned to race participants/spectators once they finish the race.