Photo: PACA

The Penticton and Area Cycling Association provided a free bike valet service at the Farmers Market this summer, and they are pleased with the success of their program. 

“We had a blast offering the service this year, and can’t wait to get back at it in the new year,” said Matt Hopkins, co-organizer of the bike valet.

The service allowed patrons of the Penticton Farmers Market to stash their bikes in a protected, monitored area on the lawn north of City Hall during their time at the market, for free.

The valet parking area only took up the space that three cars would, but they had up to 85 bikes parked each day. Over the 20 weeks they were in operation, 808 bikes were parked, with an age range of users from 1-85.

Volunteers ran the event each Saturday, which Hopkins hopes to change looking forward into next year. 

"We basically did it without any other funding for this particular year. Next year, we're working on some grants to try and help us put it on more often," Hopkins said. "Even if we could have one paid person to at least be there each week, that would really help us."

During the winter, the group will be looking to expand their services.

"We'd like to be involved in any of the events around Penticton especially where parking is a concern," Hopkins said. "We feel like we have really a solution for some of the short-term parking issues, as well as encouraging people to ride their bikes."

They plan to bring the bike valet back to the Farmers Market next spring, bigger and better.