Shifting gears from a car to a bike is easier than ever, thanks to a free bike parking service currently available in downtown Kamloops.
The Kamloops Bike Valet is located at 330 St. Paul Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue in the Kelson Hall parking lot and offers a free, coat-check-style bike parking option for all active transportation devices, including adaptive bikes, cargo bikes, bike trailers, jogging strollers, and other personal mobility devices. This Council-approved pilot program operates Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and is available until September 2, 2024.
This City initiative aims to encourage the use of active transportation modes by addressing what residents have identified as a key deterrent to using bikes for urban travel: concerns for bike security.
“As e-bike use continues to grow, driven in part by their ability to reduce barriers to cycling in Kamloops, such as topography and distance, we see an increasing need and demand for secure bike parking,” said Glen Cheetham, the City’s Climate and Sustainability Manager.
The City received a $20,000 grant from The BC Cycling Coalition, which will offset the program’s $69,500 budget (funded by the City’s Climate Action Fund Reserve) and help extend Bike Valet service hours for community events like Canada Day. In addition, the City received in-kind support from community partners Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, the Kamloops Cycling Coalition, and Kelson Hall.
With the significant construction and traffic impacts in the downtown core as part of the City Centre Sanitary Upgrades Project, there is no better time to travel by bike to help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and save money.
For road safety and road sharing tips for cyclists and motorists, visit Kamloops.ca/RoadSafety.
To learn more about the Kamloops Bike Valet, visit Kamloops.ca/BikeValet.
Visit the Kamloops Bike Valet during GoByBike Week and Win!
The Kamloops Bike Valet service will take centre stage during Spring GoByBike Week, June 3–9, 2024. Use the Bike Valet or stop by to say hello during GoByBike Week, and you’ll be eligible to enter a daily prize draw for a $50 Downtown Kamloops gift card and a grand prize draw for a $300 Downtown Kamloops gift card.
