Free Bike Rentals in NYC!

Who doesn't [heart] freebies!?!

Back in Oregon, my hippie-friendly-fun-lovin'-and-trusting hometown created a free bike program where 100 or so bikes were painted orange (one of our college colors) and left these community wheels in various locations around the city. These bikes were absolutely free for anyone and everyone to use. The problem with this great utopian idea was that they were also never supposed to be locked up, which created one of two problems. One, if you didn't lock it up and biked all the way across town to a coffee shop or store, you may come out without your assumed return transportation. The other problem was that often times people would in fact lock them up, limiting the free public access for which this system was created. Eventually all these orange bikes disappeared one by one, some resurfacing under a newly assumed color and this was the end of what was at its roots, a good idea. 

When I heard about Manhattan trying a freebie bike program, I knew there would need to be some major organization behind it for this to not only survive but work effectively. But I gotta say, what my hometown lacked in organization, the downtown alliance of Manhattan seems to have perfected here. 

Step 1: Sign in online providing an email, a password, full name and credit card (only to be used for the bike's deposit) - BINGO! That's how we'll keep these free programs alive and well!

Step 2: Go online and make your reservation at least a day ahead of time (time slots range from 2-3 hours between 9am and 7pm). Your wheels will await you at the South Street Seaport and you can choose between this and two other drop off locations (Governer's Island and Pier 84). Note: You can rent (also for free) attachments to your bike such as bayseats, tagalongs and wagons for the munkins of child or pet variety.

Step 3: Explore lower Manhattan to your little heart's desire. 

You can make reservations online at: http://www.downtownny.com/bikearound