The behemoth arena drawing concert-goers and sports fans from across the tri-state area to downtown Brooklyn plans to test a bike valet program at an upcoming event as part of its efforts to expand transportation options, according to a report.
The Barclays Center will offer free valet bike parking to anyone who rides to see hometown indie band "The National" on June 5, Ashley Cotton, of Forest City Ratner Companies, which runs the arena, told the Brooklyn Paper.
The parking program will be run by Transportation Alternatives, a bike advocacy group that handles bike valet at other events throughout the city.
At the Barclays event, concert attendees will simply be able to drop their bikes off at the lot, which holds up to 400 bikes, turn over their locks and helmets and get a numbered ticket they'll use to retrieve their bikes after the show.
Barclays is just testing out the program, and since indie bands and bike riding fit together, "The National" show seemed like an ideal time to test the program, Cotton told the Brooklyn Paper.
If the arena decides to continue offering the service, it will likely be available only at events that are perceived to attract a large bicycle riding audience. WWE Monday Night Raw, for example, might not make the cut.
Ultimately, the goal is to make it easier to get to Barclays Center. More options translate to more ticket sales, Cotton said.
“We are all about people taking public transit to Barclays Center and we know that people are walking to the arena in the highest numbers ever seen,” she told the Brooklyn Paper. “When you’re thinking about real estate, it’s always about location, location, location, which also means transit, transit, transit.”
