We normally do bike valet at one of our local farmers' markets also for free but leave a donation jar out, most people give a dollar or two but it's a nice way to keep the service free for those who need it and let others who can afford it give back (we've actually had complaints when we didn't have it out). Last summer however, we were asked to open the valet by a group running a large event in the city and they paid us an honorarium of $200 for the day, keep in mind however, we're a city of 1.2M and an oil centre so it might be a little inflated to Longmont.

.godwin



> Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:28:38 -0600
> From: rjkragerud@gmail.com
> To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Valet/Bike Parking services hourly rates?
>
> Bicycle Longmont jumped into the Bike Valet service field in 2010.
> Last year it really took off and this year is no exception. We are
> currently being asked to provide this service (previously for free) at
> many special events. We currently offer this service for free at
> Longmont's Farmers' Market where we park upwards to 175 bikes every
> saturday between 7am & 1pm.
>
> We don't have the volunteer capacity to handle all the events that are
> requesting our highly successful service. Also since providing the
> service it appears bike parking is becoming a "communitywide value".
>
> At any rate, like you, we're a cash strapped 501c3 and wondered who of
> the ThinkTank are charging for this service and what are your rates?
> Afterall it takes time and money to do good in the neighborhood!
>
> BTW we'd continue providing the Farmers' Market for free but would
> require anyone wanting to work a special event to have prior
> experience volunteering with our Farmers' Market, first.
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan Kragerud - President
> Bicycle Longmont
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