The popular Penticton and Area Cycling Association (PACA) Bike Valet service parked more than 1,000 bikes at Penticton events in 2019.
In its second year, the valet operates like a coat check for bikes and is a fully staffed bike parking area operating at Penticton events, according to a recent media release. The service opened at the Penticton Farmer’s Market on May 11 for 2019 and is free to use.
The Bike Valet was also offered at the City of Penticton’s Canada Day celebrations at Gyro Park and the Downtown Penticton Association’s Ellis on the Rise, the release reads.
READ MORE: Like a coat check for bikes – the Bike Valet returns to Penticton
“At this rate, we will likely park 50 per cent more bikes this year than we did in 2018. We knew that people wanted to use their bikes for transportation in Penticton, but the success of the Bike Valet has far surpassed our expectations,” said Matt Hopkins, PACA’s urban cycling director, in the release.
The approximate age range of the Bike Valet users is 1 to 85. The Bike Valet is roughly three car parking spaces in size and can accommodate 60 bikes at any one time.
The recent Pedal Penticton event held at Gyro Park on Sept. 7 saw 101 bikes parked — an all time high, the release states.
“We are so excited by the positive steps the City of Penticton is taking to address the desperate need for safe cycling infrastructure and encourage everyone to participate in the ongoing engagement for a future lake-to-lake route,” Hopkins added.
READ MORE: Penticton bike valet a success
The Bike Valet will be offered at the Penticton Farmers Market until the end of September. The Bike Valet is set up on the 100 block of Main Street, just south of City Hall from 8:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
PACA also said it wanted to thank the City of Penticton for supporting the Bike Valet in 2019 as well as the incredible volunteers — as without them the Bike Valet would not be possible.
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