Bicycle valet service creepin' as norm

[shootingstar]

Well, for large public events or gatherings.

Seems like several large local cycling events I've attended in past few months, 90% of events, there was bike valet parking service --where is a cordoned area, the bikes are taken in by a person, etc. One woman, a newbie cyclist who joined up on a group ride last weekend, asked me about the cycling event we were going, she automatically asked: "Is there bike valet service?" (yes, there was)

Now several local farmers' markets this summer all offer bike valet parking service. We've been to different market at different locations. Yes, they are used.

Makes sense where car parking is problematic and some people can bike over. Some of the valet service locations offered also simple bike checkup on mechanical problems. One location has an experimental bike grocery delivery service.

Below at one of the local framers' markets (valet service closed at that time, 'cause market closes shortly thereafter):

[Crankin]

On Monday I went to a Farmer's market in the next town. I had wanted to explore the area it is in, mostly because the market is right next to the only bike path around here (the well known Minuteman Bikeway). It happened that this Monday was "ride your bike to the market" day. They had bike valet parking, which was administered by the local senior citizen group. A woman sat and watched the bikes on the rack and everyone who rode up got a coupon for 2.00 off of a purchase. You also got 10% off any apparel or accessories at the LBS, which is also right there. The store is kind of a crappy one, but it got me to go in there for the first time.
Valet parking isn't really necessary here, since it's in a suburban, bordering on country area. I would have just locked my bike to the rack. But the promotion got me to come out and visit the booths. I have five farms within 3-5 miles of my house, but I chose to ride 8.5 miles to the market, because of the bike promotion. And there were lots of bikes there!

[Tri Girl]

That's really cool!!! Vancouver is one happening city, isn't it? I'm jealous of all the bike lanes/paths/services. I keep saying I need to move to Canada...
for more than one reason.

[Biciclista]

yeah, they have national health insurance too!

[Tri Girl]

yeah, they have national health insurance too!

Don't EVEN get me started on how cool Canada is (my brother-in-law was stationed in Toronto for 5 years many years ago and I visited often).

I keep telling my DH that when I retire I'm going to become Canadian. He laughs because he knows how much I HATE the cold and wouldn't be tough enough to last one week in the winter up there (you guys are tough).

Don't get me wrong, I love America, too- we just have so many issues that I'm growing more and more frustrated with as I get older. I really think I just need to find a deserted island and start my own little commune there.

[OakLeaf]

How about Canada invades the USA. Then we could have warm weather and the Canadian government. Do it now before they tighten the border any more. I'll be your fifth column...

[shootingstar]

Jeepers. How thread topics just meander on its own journey.

Any of you folks in this thread are welcome to contact me for a ride together when you visit our area. Truly.

The bike valet service is provided by a local non-profit alternative transportation group. http://thebicyclevalet.ca/ For past 3 years.

They use volunteers but I believe they have some core paid, part-time staff since someone has drive over to the locations with temporary barricades, etc. and set up the site areas.

[badger]

Don't EVEN get me started on how cool Canada is (my brother-in-law was stationed in Toronto for 5 years many years ago and I visited often).

I keep telling my DH that when I retire I'm going to become Canadian. He laughs because he knows how much I HATE the cold and wouldn't be tough enough to last one week in the winter up there (you guys are tough).

Don't get me wrong, I love America, too- we just have so many issues that I'm growing more and more frustrated with as I get older. I really think I just need to find a deserted island and start my own little commune there.

not all parts of Canada are cold - we don't all live in igloos and commute by dog sled

I'd say Vancouver's much milder than a lot of places in America. No different than Seattle.

We have public health care but it's not perfect. We're always short on beds (in fact, as a speak, a co-worker's mother is in one of the sections in the ER because there are no beds for her). And it's not free, either. Something in the middle would be nice; a tiered system so if one wants to jump the cue by paying for it, we should be able to. I had to wait 4 months for my laser surgery on my cervix to get rid of abnormal pre-cancerous cells.

BUT, all in all, Canada is cool

[Grog]

By the way health care is entirely free (i.e. paid from the general budget) in some provinces (like Quebec). In provinces like BC where we do need to pay a fee (roughly $54 per month) there is usually a provision to subsidize care for low income families but I don't know how well that works.

Back on topic: Is there finally valet parking or, for this matter, any bike rack at the Main Street farmers' market? I was really frustrated on their first week because I couldn't find a proper place to park my bike.

[shootingstar]

I have not yet gone to Main St. farmers' market yet. My partner thinks there is bike valet since he was there last week. (Little Qualicum cheeses are a bargoon! And nice, strong cheeses which is what we love.)

Yes, that monthly rate for British Columbia residents who are single, is not the most onerous thing to pay if one's employer does not offer it as a benefit or if one is an adult student/unemployed, etc. Even though it does not cover dental services, orthotics, psychiatric/pschological services, (unless you're at a rehabiliation hospital which means one is seriously disabled/major surgery), there is still considerable medical care both family medicine and specialist medical services under the core plan.

Anyway, another topic thread somewhere else on this forum if anyone cares to start it up..

[badger]

when I was a student and made less than $12K, my health care was free. It goes by the tax bracket, so I guess the more you make, the more you pay for health care.

[shootingstar]

I'm giving this information of what happens in British Columbia since we have a lot of Americans on TE and there is a huge national discussion raging over health care reform in U.S.:

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html

Yes, badger you did get a subsidy based on a very low income at that time. But after that low income level, everyone's payment requirements is the same. Your employer badger, is paying for your monthly premium. It's different when your unemployed in B.C. But I believe not all employers are required to pay it. It's not a legal requirement.

There are some differences in certain medical service coverage between B.C. and Ontario. I gave up trying to find the latest monthly rates for Ontario residents.

More than ever, Canadians should no longer be complacent about the health care services that we get covered by our taxes. All our complaining here in Canada can't compare to stories that I read from other Internet forums where people are paying $3,000-$5,000 annually to their HMO, regardless of whether or not they get health care during that paid period. It's not pretty, badger. After speaking with a nurse who worked in U.S. then returned to Canada to work (as a psychiatric forensic nurse)...plus other stories...
I can't quite imagine cycling regularily for a long time on busy roads, without the cushion of immediate basic medical care for emergency services if it weren't for our core publicly funded medical insurance.

[Tri Girl]

not all parts of Canada are cold - we don't all live in igloos and commute by dog sled

Oh, I know not all parts are cold. I didn't mean to insult if I did.

To me- Seattle is too cold to live in. I'm just NOT a cold weather person AT ALL. Toronto was really cold in the winter, and that's the only part of Canada that I've been to. I'm basing most all of what I know (and love) of Canada on that one area. I know you have some beautiful scenery, tho, and that there are much more temperate climates. It's still too cold for this sun loving lizard. Heck, Oklahoma is too cold for me in the winter. I'd move back to the desert of the SW, but that's too hot. I can't find a place that's just right (like Goldilocks).