PHILADELPHIA -- A new "bike valet" service is being offered on the University of Pennsylvania campus in an effort to encourage bicycle ridership and provide a safe, secure parking area during the workday.

During August, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, bike riders can check their vehicles at a station behind the Graduate School of Education on Walnut Street between 37th Street and Huntsman Hall.  From College Green, it can be accessed off Locust Walk behind the School of Social Work.

Riders take their bicycles to the parking station behind GSE, collect their claim checks and leave their bikes with an attendant.    Users can also request simple repair and tune-up service on their bikes while they are away.

The service, provided by Penn's Wharton School, Neighborhood Bike Works and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, is free throughout this trial period.  Wharton and the Bicycle Coalition are picking up the costs, and the Neighborhood Bike Works is providing on-site management.

"With the bike valet, cyclists can avoid the worries of bike theft," said Parker Snowe, associate director of international programs at Wharton and president of the Bicycle Coalition. " And the service is hassle-free. The NBW provided this service at the X Games without a single lost or damaged bike."

At the end of the month, demand for the service will be evaluated for possible continuation during the academic year.

Additional information is available by calling 215-898-5012.