Victoria to open free 'bike valet' service downtown
People who are concerned about the security of their bike while cycling in downtown Victoria will soon be able to park their bike for free at a "coat-check style" valet service.
The city-run service will open Friday, June 24, just outside of city hall by the Pandora Avenue cycling route.
The bike parking will be covered and staff will be at the site seven days a week.
Hours of operation are:
- 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
- 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday
- 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday
- 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday
The city notes that hours may be extended when special events are occurring in the summer.
All types of bikes will be accepted at the valet service – such as cargo bikes and e-bikes – as well as push scooters, strollers, and "other modes of active transportation," according to the city.
Riders can leave their helmets, lights, and other accessories on their bikes as long as they are securely attached.
The location of the bike valet service. (City of Victoria)
'DETER BIKE THEFT'
The municipality says other bike valet services have seen successful in other cities, including two in Vancouver and one in Portland, Oregon.
"The valet service will offer exceptional convenience and peace of mind for those looking to ride downtown, particularly for families, commuters, and visitors,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement Thursday.
"This pilot project is one of the ways we are working to improve bicycle parking, attract new riders and deter bike theft in the city," she said.
The city has been considering a bike valet service for months, and sought applicants to run the pilot program back in April.
The municipality is also looking to expand its bike parking infrastructure by funding upgrades at the Yates Street parkade, and by installing new covered bike shelters at schools and community centres in the fall.
The valet service will be operated by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) and Capital Bike, which have operated similar services in Vancouver and Victoria before.
The pilot program will run until early November.
Anyone who uses the service can also sign up for Project 529 Garage, a bike registry and recovery system used by VicPD.
"This service will help attract people to shop, dine, visit, and park their bike downtown with confidence," said Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, in a statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.