Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op can help event organizers address scarce car parking and traffic congestion and boost attendance by staffing a convenient, secure place for cyclists to park their bikes at any special event.

Valet bike parking makes events more attractive by:

• reducing traffic jams and congested car parking for all event attendees
• giving those who already cycle to the event a more welcoming experience
• accommodating those who may not attend at all because of car (or bike) parking hassles
• encouraging cyclists to stay longer at events knowing their bikes, helmets and cargo are safe
• advertising to the public that the organizers are sensitive to transportation and environmental concerns

Valet bike parking improves event safety and security by:

• offering a solution to bikes parked haphazardly where they can obstruct pedestrian traffic
• reducing potential for bicycle/pedestrian crashes and conflicts in crowded areas
• giving security staff a diplomatic answer to unsafe cyclists
• eliminating bike theft and vandalism, and damage to grounds
• freeing event staff for other tasks

What we provide:

Well before an event, we visit the site to work with event organizers on the best location for their parking area, and signage and access issues, to be communicated with event security and staff, and included on event maps.

We erect a temporary snow fence enclosure and portable bike racks, signs at the periphery of the event to direct cyclist to the bike parking, and a sign at the parking area. We can provide our own table, chairs and tent for the check-in area, but if those are provided we can bring all our equipment by bicycle trailer, making for one less car.

During agreed upon hours, our staff and volunteers check in bikes with two-part tickets; one half goes on the bike, the other half is the cyclist's claim check. Users may lock their bikes if they wish, and we have a simple policy for lost tickets.

Our volunteers offer on-the-spot bike safety or helmet-fit advice, and other cycling information. We can also offer more structured bike repair or riding education and children’s activities, and/or sell accessories or bike-art craft items, if this is appropriate.

We carry insurance for all our activities, and can have event organizers listed as additional insured.

What we need to provide this service:

A conveniently-located, easily bike- and pedestrian-accessible area (preferably on grass, with trees, so it can be space not useable for cars), usually about the size of one car parking space for each five thousand people in attendance, with about the same amount of adjacent space available to expand if needed.

Advance public awareness is the key to making this service effective: all event promotion materials must include the phrase: "Free, Secure, Bicycle Valet Parking"  We do not renew contracts for events that do not adequately publicize this service -- our fee is incidental, in relation to the work required: the reason we perform this service is to accomplish our educational mission and help people use their bikes, and we want to concentrate our efforts where they help the most cyclists. (For smaller events we offer training for volunteers and use of all valet parking equipment for a modest rental fee.)

Our fee for to provide this service is $50/hour, with a minimum of 4 hours, and is paid by the event organizer. Making parking free to cyclists ensures they will use it, so we do not offer this service on a user-paid basis.  We discount our fee for including the words "provided by Ohio City Bicycle Co-op" with any mention of the service in promotional materials, and additionally for including our logo. Any "tips" from users of the service are accepted, and used, as donations to OCBC's education programs.

We appreciate at least two months advance notice for scheduling, and to promote the event to our large list of members and friends, and to other area bicyclists through our contacts with clubs and shops.

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