Selling the Value of Valet Service

Bike valet service is a novel concept in some communities, so it can be useful to rehearse explanations to help recruit allies:

Event Organizers

Managing parking is essential for any large-scale public event or highly trafficked destination; and a shortage of parking, or vocal concerns and complaints about the traffic impact of an event can shut it down completely. Given that a single car parking space can accommodate 10+ bikes, bike valet service can literally make an event possible.

Businesses

Bike valet service makes it easier for people to spend money in local shopping districts, by greatly reducing the mental, financial and time barriers to shoppers accessing those stores.

Local Governments

Bike valet improves the security and perceived safety of areas with frequent bike theft, boosts mode shift towards low carbon modes, reduces car congestion, and generates economic activity.

Getting Public Support for Fixed Locations in Downtowns

There are several important preliminary steps towards building support for fixed location valets. The first is building a AAA cycling and pedestrian network that is adequate to navigate most of the area, allowing people to get around safely and conveniently by bike and on foot. This alone will motivate people who know they want to move, but don’t feel safe as a vehicular cyclist. The second step is reducing subsidies for drivers, such as free on-street public parking and overabundant street space dedicated to cars. Politically difficult road diets and car parking removal may be part of these processes. The third step is the creation of a pedestrian-only zone in the downtown area. Pedestrian-only areas are enormously popular (after their implementation) and build support among businesses and the public for more pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

The most successful valet services in BC are offered in pedestrianized areas connected to broad cycling networks. Whistler Village (home of Whistler Bike Valet) is effectively pedestrianized. The Downtown Bike Valet in Victoria is directly adjacent to Government Street (a multi-block pedestrian area), as well as a large public square with frequent events and a pedestrian-priority shopping street. Pedestrian areas don’t need to be permanent—the Kelowna Bike Valet project is directly linked to the pedestrian area created by their “Meet Me on Bernard” summer street closure.