City Travel Adventures by Bicycle
May 4, 2015
May is National Bike Month, and with spring in the air and summer on its way, consider checking out a bike share program on your next family vacation. From Seattle to South Beach, city bike share programs are popping up across the U.S. and around the world. Bike share programs offer an easy, inexpensive mode of transport that gives you a more unique view of your travel destination. The next time you visit a new-to-you U.S. city, hop on a bicycle and hit the streets for a new perspective.
Chicago
Chicago’s bike share initiative, Divvy Bikes makes it easier than ever to hop on a bike and explore: just walk up to any Divvy station kiosk and purchase a 24-Hour Bike Pass using a credit or debit card; Pass holders can print a ride code to unlock a bicycle and begin a trip. Hotel Palomar Chicago has created an art themed bike route to explore the true art culture Chicago has to offer, showcasing popular pit-stops to indulge in local artwork and grab a bite to eat.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are home to hundreds of miles of on-street bike lanes, bike boulevards and dedicated paths, and the Nice Ride MN bike share program lets you access a bicycle from over 170 stations. At the Grand Hotel Minneapolis, you can arrange a top-notch guided bike tour with a stop for a picnic brunch prepared by Chef Kris Koch (of SIX15 Room) at scenic Stone Arch Bridge.
New York City
It’s fitting that the bike share program in the city that never sleeps offers 24-Hour or 7-Day Access Passes, giving visitors the opportunity to take as many short trips (<30 min) as they want for 24-hours or 7-days. check out this link to download your own NYC bike map or set off on a unique guided bike tour with Bike the Bike Apple.
Washington D.C.
Capital Bikeshare in DC offers 2500+ bicycles at 300+ stations across the metro area. The Daily Key membership option is ideal for tourists: $10 will grant you a system key and one 24-Hour access period. After your initial 24-Hour access period expires, you can purchase an additional 24-Hour access period for just $7. Here’s a great interactive map to help you organize a DC bike tour of your own, and here’s a gourmet guide to good bites by bike in DC. One of the best ways to see D.C.’s monuments is by bike, and Bike and Roll D.C. offers both day and night bike tours of our capital’s most illustrious sights.
Los Angeles
L.A.’s own bike share program has yet to hit the streets. If you’re in town, avoid the mega bus and see the homes of the stars by bicycle: Bike and Hikes L.A. offers both guided and self-guided tours of Hollywood homes, movie locations and historic sights.
