Free bike valet service tested in Penticton
Pilot project introduced at weekly farmers market
A bike valet pilot project by a local non-profit group has a lofty goal of getting more Penticton residents riding around the city.
The free bike valet service from the Penticton and Area Cycling Association began at last week’s Penticton Farmers Market and will return for the next four weeks.
Matt Hopkins, PACA board member, has lived in Penticton for four years. He moved from Vancouver, where he would ride his bike pretty much everywhere.
“Work, groceries, you name it — I tried to get everything done on my bike. When I came to Penticton, I noticed right away it’s not a friendly place to ride your bike,” Hopkins said.
He got involved with the PACA and looked at free bike parking in an effort to get more people riding in Penticton and make cycling easier.
“It basically gives people a secure option for storing the bike. I know bike theft is a big problem in Penticton,” Hopkins said. “I go the farmers market every weekend, and people are riding their bikes but there’s not a lot of great options to secure them. There’s only a couple racks, and I see bikes all the time locked to trees and parking meters and a lot of insecure methods.”
Hopkins and the PACA have their sights set on a much larger goal with the valet service.
“Ultimately, we’re hoping that people in Penticton start to consider cycling as a transportation option,” Hopkins said. “Not only residents, but we really want our political leaders to think of cycling as transportation and how can it have a positive effect on some of the concerns we have in Penticton.”
More people on bikes could free up parking spaces and take up less property for parking lots, Hopkins said.
The project hopes to expand to events such as the Penticton Peach Festival and any other large gatherings.
The service was a welcome surprise its first time out last week.
“People were so shocked. I think nobody expects anything for free nowadays,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins and the PACA are also looking for future volunteers as the project progresses past the pilot phase. They can be found on the lawn of City Hall today.
“Come up to us and and engage us at the bike valet in person,” Hopkins said.
The Penticton Farmers Market is held from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturdays in the 100 block of Main Street. The downtown market, presented by the Downtown Penticton Association, is in the 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street and part of Front Street from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m.