New bike racks and new bike valet technology initiatives expand downtown and on University Hill
The City of Boulder is expanding secure bike infrastructure to make bike parking downtown and at University Hill safer and more convenient for community members and visitors. The upgrades aim to support access to major seasonal events such as the Boulder County Farmers Market, Boulder Creek Festival and the BOLDERBoulder. Enhancements also promote sustainable transportation options for visitors to commercial areas.
The city is investing in new safety measures, including the replacement of 350 bike racks in commercial areas. The community is also encouraged to register for Boulder County’s Bike-n-Ride Program to access a secure storage shelter at the 14th & Walnut (RTD) parking garage in Downtown Boulder Station, which is now receiving additional cleaning and maintenance from the city, in partnership with Boulder County.
Additionally, the city has supported the expansion of Shared Paths’ bike valet service at events including the Boulder County Farmers Market and Boulder Creek Festival through a new technology initiative called Bike Drop. This app-based system allows people to check in their bikes quickly and securely, with features such as GPS-tagged locations, digital closing-time reminders, and integration with Bike Index, a national bicycle recovery database that the city encourages all bike and scooter owners to sign up for.
"These improvements reflect Boulder’s commitment to sustainable transportation and community-driven safety," said Chief Steve Redfearn. “We’re making it easier for everyone to enjoy downtown while keeping their bikes safe.”
The initiative aligns with Boulder’s broader micromobility goals, complementing shared e-bike and e-scooter services like BCycle and Lime. For those who drive, the city’s five BoulderPark garages offer convenient access to downtown, with free parking on weekends and city holidays and a $3 flat rate on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Users are encouraged to register with Metropolis, the city’s gateless parking platform, at app.metropolis.io. All downtown and University Hill employees are encouraged to take advantage of free EcoPasses, provided through the city.
To learn more about bike safety and transportation options in Boulder, visit the City of Boulder website.