ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The University of New Mexico has launched its first-ever free bike valet service — and for many students, it’s already changing the way they get to class. “It’s been a game changer for me,” said Melanie Shenberger, a UNM student. “I’m normally really worried about my bike being there because I’ve seen lots of bikes get stolen. So, this has been a huge weight off my shoulders—literally—because now I don’t have to pull my bike around campus.”
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The new service is the result of a student-led initiative through the Student Fee Review Board, which monitors how student fees are allocated. After noticing an increase in biking and scooting to campus, the board proposed the idea to make commuting easier not just for students, but also for faculty and staff.
The valet is run by student Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) employees, and is located just outside the Student Union Building. “There’s been a lot of excitement. A lot of people have said it’s really convenient,” said Nicolas St. Clair, a student employee with PATS who works at the valet. “Especially commuters who bring their bikes because they don’t have to bring a bike lock or buy a bike locker. It’s also at central campus, right across from the Student Union Building.”
The service is part of a broader effort by UNM’s Office of Sustainability to encourage environmentally friendly transportation options. “UNM is really supportive of sustainable commuting to campus,” said Anne Jakle, director of the Office of Sustainability. “We’re going to look for other ways in the future to help enhance people biking, walking, and scooting to campus and taking the bus.”
The launch of the bike valet comes as the university considers implementing a new policy restricting electric mobility devices—such as scooters and skateboards with lithium batteries—from being brought inside campus buildings. This follows a fire caused by an electric skateboard battery in Mitchell Hall last November, which led to an evacuation and building-wide fumigation. “The university really is moving towards making sure that electrical devices—the ones with lithium batteries—are not brought into the building,” said Shawn Arruti, director of Parking and Transportation Services.
Jakle added that the bike valet is one solution to accommodate those devices safely. “We’ve seen a rise in E-bikes and E-scooters in recent years, so this is a great way to ride your bikes and scooters to campus, and have it parked in a way with enhanced oversight during the day,” she said.
The valet service is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and can handle up to 120 check-ins per day. In its first week, about 20 people used the service daily, but valet staff said interest is already picking up in the second week of the semester. “We expect that as word gets out, more people will be bringing their devices into the valet,” Arruti said.
Jakle said the university took inspiration from bike valet programs at other campuses, as well as local events like the Downtown Growers’ Market and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The bike valet will operate as a pilot program through the academic year. UNM will evaluate its success before deciding whether to make it a permanent service.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
