Bike Valet a Hit at Heritage!

When attending the August 18-20 Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, the Ypsilanti Health Coalition (YHC) encouraged visitors to leave the family car at home and instead ride a bike! For those who may have questioned if they could find a place to lock-up, the YHC allowed riders to set their worries aside by providing free valet bike parking.

On Saturday and Sunday, YHC set up a bike valet area at the corner of Cross Street and Huron and provided bike parking for approximately 40-50 riders. At times, the bike corral was so full riders had to park next to the tent and lean their bikes on nearby lightposts. "This was a wonderful way to promote biking in Ypsilanti and provide needed parking for festival riders. We were very pleased to see so many visitors coming to the festival using their own energy and getting some physical activity," said Deb Young, coalition facilitator.

YHC volunteer and bike valet organizer, Bob Krzewinski was also quite pleased with the community support shown for biking: the "valet bicycle parking was very, very well received at the Heritage Festival, helping again prove that if bicycle facilities - bike parking, routes, and paths - are available, people are more likely to start bicycling in the local area." YHC and festival organizers hope the service becomes a regular feature at the Heritage Festival and other Ypsi events such as Elvis Fest or the Orphan Car Show. 

For more information on the Ypsilanti Health Coalition or how to provide valet bike parking at other Washtenaw County events, please contact Deb Young at youngdd@trinity-health.org.