Governors Island, the former Coast Guard base and possible parkland-to-be off the southern tip of Manhattan, is offering free bikes to those who venture there on Fridays this summer.
The bikes, sponsored by Transportation Alternatives, come as part of a state and city effort to draw more people to the island while the state and city governments plan the future for the 172-acre space. Both the city and state have said they want to remake Governors Island into a large parkland with a thriving mixed-use district; however, it remains unclear whether the will exists to provide the hundreds of millions of dollars in needed funding.
As for the bikes, they’ll be hard to steal: the island is serviceable only by ferry.
Release below.
Free Bike Fridays on Governors Island starting June 6
Bikes now available for rent on Governors Island every weekend
"Biking is a fantastic way to explore Governors Island," said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "We are thrilled to have free biking this summer and we are committed to expanding opportunities for biking as part of our future park and Great Promenade."
Governors Island was first opened for biking in 2007, and cycling has quickly become one of the Island’s most popular activities. The Island offers more than 1 mile of car free biking with spectacular views of the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty.
Visitors are invited to bring their own bikes to the Island, or they can rent bikes from Bike and Roll™ once they arrive. On Fridays, adult and children’s bikes are free. On Saturdays and Sundays, adult and children’s bikes can be rented for five dollars for 30 minutes. Bike and Roll™ will also rent four-person bike surreys, children’s bike trailers, wagons and other bike accessories.
"Free bikes are a wonderful opportunity for everyone, especially children and families, to see Governors Island in an entirely new way," said Avi Schick, Chairman of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "I hope that many visitors come out to the Island to experience this great activity in such a unique setting."
"Transportation Alternatives is thrilled to sponsor Free Bikes every Friday this summer so even more New Yorkers bike in a car-free environment," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "It is our hope that thousands more New Yorkers will enjoy cycling because of their access to bicycles through this free program."
Bike share programs, which make public bicycles available for rent at little or no cost, are popular around the world and have had success in Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona and other cities. Two of the better known examples are the Vélib program in Paris and the white bikes of HogueVeluwe park in the Netherlands.
"Spaces like Governors Island serve as great training areas for the next generation of New York City cyclists," said City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "This summer the Island will also serve as a great testing ground – we’ll be evaluating the bike share program to see if it is something that may be successful in other parts of the city."
"Car-free Governors Island is a perfect place for bicycling," said Rob Pirani, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. "We are so pleased that Transportation Alternatives is sponsoring this incredible opportunity for visitors."
The concept of an iconic public bike program on Governors Island was explored in the winning competition entry to design the future park and Great Promenade on the Island. West 8, an acclaimed firm based in Rotterdam, led a team of architects and landscape architects who were chosen to design these new open spaces. Their design vision is one where free bikes are accessible to everyone on Governors Island. The bikes would be made available to all visitors to explore the landscape, get around the Island, and have fun.
"By providing free bikes every Friday this summer, Governors Island is taking a step toward our vision of free bikes for all in the future park," said Adriaan Geuze, Principal of West 8. "The bike is a tremendous symbol of freedom and democracy. This summer, on Fridays, visitors can come from all over New York City, and even the world, and experience the joy of riding a bike in this incredible place."
"Bike and Roll
™ is pleased to bring bike rentals to Governors Island," said Darryll White, Managing Partner, Bike and Roll™. "Governors Island now joins several other parks and venues across New York City where visitors and others can connect their experience by bicycle."About Biking on Governors Island
Bike and Roll™ will be providing free basic beach cruiser bicycles and children’s bicycles on Friday. Free bikes on Fridays are first come first serve and limited to one hour at a time.
Requirements for renting bikes at all times: Visitors must bring photo ID or a credit card. Helmets are required for children under 14 but are available for all visitors. If you are under 18, riders must have an adult sign a waiver.
Rental fees for beach cruiser bicycles and children’s bicycles on Saturdays and Sundays:
$5/ 30 minutes, $10/2hours, $15/all day.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visito
rs may also rent:
Large QuadCycle $25/30 minutes, $30/1 hour (all days)
Children’s bike trailers $5/ 30 minutes, $10/2hours, $15/all day
Season Pass for bicycle Rentals (Cruisers) $39
Visitors are invited to bring their own bikes on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. The Island is open 10 am to 5 pm on Fridays, 10 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
About Visiting Governors Island
Governors Island will be open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 31st to October 5th. Ferries are free and leave from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets. For a ferry schedule, more information on Governors Island, and for a specific calendar of events, please visit www.govisland.com.
About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.
About Transportation Alternatives
Transportation Alternatives is a 6,000 member non-profit organization advocating for better bicycling, walking and public transit in New York City.
About Bike and Roll
Since 1993, Bike and Roll has been America’s leading bicycle rental and guided tour company. With locations nationwide and over 30 years of combined management experience and expertise, Bike and Roll provides a safe and fun experience, quality rental equipment, outstanding customer service and exceptional value.
Bike and Roll currently operates bicycle rental and tour operations at parks, waterfronts and tourist destinations in New York City, Chicago, Miami Beach, San Francisco and Washington DC. The Bike and Roll bicycle fleet consists of high quality late model bicycles and the product line includes bicycle and skate rentals, bicycle rides and tours, bicycle repairs, and accessory sales. Bike and Roll also offers Share a Bike programs, Season Passes and a unique Hop On-Hop Off bicycle rental program.
In New York City, Bike and Roll has established locations in Parks and along the Greenway bicycle path in order to provide safe, convenient, car free access to bicyclists. Along with Governor’s Island, other New York City, Bike and Roll locations include Pier 84 in Hudson River Park, South Street Seaport and coming soon, Battery Park.
FREE BIKE FRIDAYS ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
Transportation Alternatives sponsors NYC’s only free bike program
Since opening to the public in 2007, Governors Island has fast become one of New York City’s premier cycling destinations. Now, Transportation Alternatives and the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation are proud to announce Free Bike Fridays, an initiative to provide free bicycle rentals to visitors on Governors Island this summer. From June 6th to October 4th, visitors will be able to rent bicycles free of charge on Fridays at the Bike and Roll bicycle rental station on Governors Island.
Free Bike Fridays is the only free bicycle program in New York City, and will serve as a model for encouraging bicycling at other major parks and destinations.
"Transportation Alternatives is thrilled to sponsor Free Bike Fridays this summer so that thousands of New Yorkers can discover the joys and efficiencies of bicycling in a safe, car-free environment," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.
"Biking is a fantastic way to explore Governors Island," said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "We are thrilled to have free biking on Governors Island this summer so that more visitors than ever can enjoy biking in the middle of New York Harbor."
Funding for Free Bike Fridays was provided by an anonymous Brooklyn donor. On Saturdays and Sundays, adult and children’s bikes can be rented for five dollars for 30 minutes.
