Peace of mind, SVBC style

We have all seen the bike skeletons at train stations, shopping centers, and schools. They serve as sad reminders of the perils of parking one's bike in a public place. The vultures come through and strip the carcass, leaving rusting frames sans saddles and posts, wheels, and lights. Or worst yet, they take the entire bike, leaving no traces, and bedevil the poor owner, now ride-less. Anyone who parks their cherished bike in a public place feels the angst, will my bike be present, unvandalized when I return?

But Stanford Football patrons feel no angst. Yes their team has been widely successful, but that is not the only reason -- they can root on their team with peace of mind. Their cherished bicycle will suffer no harm, thanks to SVBC vounteers. During the 2012 season, volunteers guarded 5,027 bicycles without a single loss. In addition, they also protected 234 strollers, 30 scooters, 25 skateboards, 3 wheelchairs, and assorted backpacks, footballs, frisbees, and water bottles. During the games, SVBC received over $1,100 in cash contributions from grateful bicyclists. But what the volunteers really provided was peace of mind. The kind of comfort that promotes bicycling and reduces car use. And that is priceless. A big cheer for all the volunteers, true emissaries of the SVBC mission. THANK YOU! And keep bicycling!