NEWS RELEASE - BCCC Announces Winners of Attended Bicycle Parking Grant
British Columbia, May 21, 2024 — Today, the BC Cycling Coalition proudly announced the recipients of the Attended Bicycle Parking Grant, aimed at promoting active transportation and enhancing bicycle parking programs across communities.
The grant program, funded by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), received a strong response from municipalities, firms, and community organizations across the province. Applicants requested more than three times the allocated funding of $200,000, demonstrating significant demand for bicycle parking initiatives. The successful applicants demonstrated best practice approaches to improving or establishing attended bicycle parking services, aligning with the government's commitment to sustainable transportation, value for money, and inclusive and clean growth.
"“Having a safe, secure place to park your bike makes cycling an attractive option for more people,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We’re encouraging greenerways to get around by supporting bike parking programs and active transportation infrastructure in communities around the province, and making it even easier for people to go by bike."
The winning projects are spread across the province from the Kooteneys to Vancouver Island. The grants include funding for creating four new bike valet projects and for expanding seven existing projects. The winning proposals prioritized long-term returns on investment, and successfully demonstrated that funding would increase cycling trips in their local area, boosting sustainable transportation and clean growth.
We congratulate the following recipients of the Attended Bicycle Parking Initiative Grants:
1. Comox Valley Cycling Coalition: Expanding their bike valet service with new racks, e-bike pads, and miscellaneous items
2. City of Kelowna: Expanding their existing bike valet program by extending operating hours and acquiring materials such as racks and a shipping container.
3. Capital Bike (Victoria Bike Society): Growing their valet service and funding operational costs, including materials purchases and some staffing costs.
4. City of Kamloops: Reopening their bike valet program with funding for space rental, materials, and labor to cover budget shortfalls.
5. City of Burnaby: Developing their own bike valet for events with a 200-bike capacity, including purchasing materials and producing operational guides.
6. District of West Vancouver: Establishing a new bike valet for community festivals and events, covering materials, staffing, and event planning costs.
7. River City Cycle Club: Running regular bike valet events with improved security and capacity, purchasing fencing materials and other valet supplies.
8. Resort Municipality of Whistler: Expanding and staffing their existing bike valet program with funding for materials, marketing, and operational costs.
9. HubCityCycles Community Co-op: Growing their bike valet service with materials purchases, staffing costs, and marketing initiatives.
10. East Kootenay Climate Hub: Establishing a new bike valet program with a focus on materials for events and staff support.
11. Tourism Revelstoke: Launching a new bike valet service with funding for labor, promotional materials, and materials for the program.
“The BCCC is proud to work with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on supporting these exceptional projects,” says Mike Koski, Executive Director, BC Cycling Coalition. “By providing safe and convenient bike parking, these grant recipients are helping to reduce the risk of bike theft, a major barrier to cycling, thus promoting a healthier, more sustainable transportation system in British Columbia.”
About bike valet and attended bicycle parking
Bike valet is an active transportation service that works to eliminate bike theft and provide safe cycle parking at events or at key urban destinations. Bike valet projects already park thousands of bikes across British Columbia. Bike valets encourage people to ride bikes and provide bike parking in situations where fixed infrastructure may be unfeasible or impractical.
About the British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC)
The British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC) is a registered charitable organization dedicated to promoting cycling as a safe, accessible, and sustainable mode of transportation in British Columbia. Those who are interested in supporting this work can become a member or donate to the BCCC here.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact Sam Holland at bikevalet@bcycling.ca.