The Bike Valet at the Blue Bombers Stadium in Winnipeg saw a record number of bicycles parked this weekend during the Banjo Bowl, including two water vehicles.
"Princess Auto Stadium has quite a few options [for people who don't want to drive]," says Mike Stoton, the Bike Valet Supervisor at the Princess Auto Stadium. "We have really good bussing routes. But our most popular option is our bike valet."
During the Banjo Bowl on Saturday, Stoton saw a record number of bicycles through the valet, a total of 916 bicycles including e-bikes. On a "slow" day they see roughly 650 people on bicycles use the valet.
"We open about an hour and a half prior to the gates opening so we have lots of time for fans to come down with their bikes, get them parked, and get into the game."
The bicycles are stored in a secure facility and monitored so fans can watch the game without worrying.
"The best part this past weekend was that we also got a canoe and a kayak on Saturday. This is the second Banjo Bowl that these gentlemen brought the canoe."
To be sure, the man with the canoe asked Stoton during a game if he would also "park a canoe." Stoton agreed that he would be able to park almost anything.
"The atmosphere was electric," says Stoton. "Everyone was ready to hopefully do the sweep, which we did, which was awesome. I think a lot of fans just enjoyed the great weather we had for it. It's such a bitter rivalry but always so much fun."
The bike valet service is offered for free to the public, but they do have a tip jar if people want to offer something.
"I want to thank the fans that come out and use the bike valet. I have about 20 volunteers. We try to give back to the community as well. Every game we collect tips. Half of the tips go toward our bike valet thank-you party at the end of the season but we also give the other half of the tips to a charity of the team's choice."