From Pilot to Practice: Bike Valet Services at Local Events December 3, 2014 Sharon Mackinnon and Peter Topalovic

How did all these people get here?

Challenge = Opportunity! Hamilton has many festivals/events Challenge in getting people there Opportunity for Bike Valet Opportunity to offer more “greening opportunities”

What is a Bike Valet? Works like a coat check Free, safe, secure bike parking Usually is fenced off with bike racks

Signage & gateway Tents, tables & chairs for volunteers Opportunity for advertising

Happy, enthusiastic, trained knowledgeable volunteers Sign in/sign out sheet and bike tags

Who’s involved? Public Health Services Public Works

Primary Objectives Build community capacity Encourage AT to/from events Provide safe/secure bike parking Provide event organizers a structured location for bikes ↓ car parking requirements ↑ mobility around events by ↓ traffic congestion

To maximize the value of public investment in AT infrastructure Establish cycling to events as a normative behaviour Secondary Objectives

Provide info on transportation programs Promote volunteer activities & not for profits Secondary Objectives City transportation goals fulfilled

Team up with other City Programs Team up with other service providers

Summary of Bike Valet Pilot Program Open Streets Hamilton lead 4 events May to August 2013 Parked 440 bikes Volunteers worked in pairs for 4 hour shifts Charged event organizer $300 that went to not-for-profit Used City of Hamilton resources but City doesn’t coordinate

Lessons Learned Advertising/communication key Bike valet hours same as event Appropriate space Visible location & wayfinding Use bike racks for parking bikes Firm surface Shade and water for volunteers

Recommendations Provision of bike parking mandatory at events (?) No cost to park a bike but donations are ok Branding, sponsorship & advertising opportunities – leverage the opportunity Adequate signage, space, location (location, location!)

T-shirts, chairs, shade, water 2 volunteers per 4 hr shift Back-up plan in place for volunteers who can’t make it On-line evaluation for participants Operator/event owner should have insurance The City does not run valets! Recommendations

Pilot to Practice: Hamilton’s largest street festival is inspired to run a 1000 bike valet in partnership with Downtown BIA

Future Opportunities Integration with Bike Share Continue collaboration on program services and community engagement Bike Valet as part of Bike Friendly BIAs

Future Opportunities City is assisting a Not-For-Profit to provide a 1000 bike valet at Pan Am Opportunity for bike valets at all Ti-Cat games & stadium events

Future Opportunities Integrated PanAm Bike Valet and Bikeshare station

Future Opportunities Cycling takes the pressure off transit to move up to 15% of spectators to the stadium from Downtown and GO

Thank you City of Hamilton, Public Health Service City of Hamilton, Public Works