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Jen Collins parks bikes for a living and loves it.  

She was in her element at the downtown Berkeley BART bike station on Thursday, dubbed bike-to-work day by groups trying to promote bicycle transit.  

It was lunchtime and 75 people had already left their two-wheelers at the 18-month old secure valet parking Collins helps to manage. Usually there are 75 or so bikes signed in (and out) of the facility by the end of the day, she said.  

The valet parking is free, funded by the city and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, among others. It is run through a contract with BART by the Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition.  

The secure parking operates between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed Sunday.  

“It’s an awesome job,” Collins said. “Everyone here is a dedicated cyclist.”