What is Bike Valet?
Bike valet is a coat check-type service for bikes and other mobility devices such as scooters and skateboards – as well as the personal effects people often carry along when using them. Patrons simply check in their ride, and valet staff organize, park, and keep it safe until the patron’s return. The value of bike valet service derives from its security and efficiency!
Bike valet services:
Are fast and easy to use - obviating the search for secure bike racks at a destination, and for patrons to carry their own locks to use them
Eliminate concern about bike theft that is often a deterrent when people are deciding how to travel
Raise the profile of active transportation in a community – providing a visible demonstration of the demand for secure parking and active transportation infrastructure to access it!
Broadly, there are two types of bike valet service: event valet and fixed location valet. Event valet is short-term or periodic bicycle parking for an event such as a farmers' market or music festival. It might be set up for as long as a week or for just a few hours. Fixed-location valet serves an area over months, years, or permanently, allowing the service to become part of a place’s fabric. These different services meet unique needs and provide benefits suited to each situation. Both types are highly effective at preventing bike theft, incentivising active travel, and reducing car traffic congestion.
Beyond convenience, the biggest attraction of bike valet is that patrons can leave their bikes, belongings, and lights without worry. This especially helps families who often must carry items for their children (bike trailers, for instance!) but also has appeal for any person combining a market stop with other errands in a downtown location, who may want to lighten their loads along the way. Families, older riders, e-bike and e-scooter owners benefit from having a safe place to store their valuable rides.
Bike valet pairs well with anti-theft bike registries such as Project 529, to improve the overall cycling security of an area. Finally, bike valet services are a community hub for socialization among active travelers – a place where families of cyclists and working people on bikes to sport cyclists can meet and mingle.