If you’ve ever thought that there wasn’t enough automobile parking at a popular event, you should try parking a bicycle. It can be an even more frustrating experience. Bike racks are rare and access to them is often blocked by vendors, crowds, security, or cars that have tried to squeeze into any available parking space. Security guards will often take great joy in telling prohibiting a bike from being locked to a sign, parking meter, or fence, all in the name of public safety. Participating in life as a cyclist just shouldn’t be that hard.

Thankfully, Indianapolis has Pedal and Park, a wonderful organization that works with local cycling advocacy groups to provide free, secure, supervised bicycle parking at many local events. The organization is entirely volunteer-run and partners with CIBA, Bicycle Indiana, Indy Parks and Recreation, and the Greenways Foundation to serve the local cycling community. The Metropolitan Planning Organization even subsidizes Pedal and Park with monetary contributions for each bicycle parked, recognizing that the money the community saves when a person rides a bike to a big event is quite significant.

Pedal and Park was founded 10 years ago and has since parked over 12,000 bicycles at Indianapolis area events and gatherings. According to the Pedal and Park website, the organization’s goals are to support non-motorized forms of transportation, promote Indianapolis trails and greenways, distribute literature and information supporting alternative transportation, and assist the partner organizations with funding and awareness. Based on my personal experiences, they accomplish all of these goals quite successfully.

Upcoming Pedal and Park events in October include the Speedway Trails Association Diamond In The Rough walk (Saturday, October 3) and the Indiana Bicycle Summit (Saturday, October 17). More information about both of these events, Pedal and Park services, and future events can be found on the Pedal and Park website at www.pedalandpark.org. You may also sign up for newsletters and become a volunteer through their website.