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For immediate release:
April 23, 2009
Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano: 212-440-2205 |
erapuano@empire.state.ny.us
Free Bike Fridays Returns
to Governors Island with Double the Number of Bikes
Tremendously popular program
returns for second straight year
Visitors can borrow a bike for free every
Friday and enjoy expanded bike route
Free Bike Fridays, the tremendously popular free
program on Governors Island, is returning to the
Island with double the number of bikes, the
Governors Island Preservation and Education
Corporation (GIPEC) announced today. On Free Bike
Fridays, Island visitors can borrow a bike for free,
for up to one hour. Free Bike Fridays will run from
June 5 – October 9. The program is sponsored by Bike
and Roll™.
“Governors Island is a fantastic location ride a
bike,” said Avi Schick, GIPEC Chairman. “We are so
pleased that Bike and Roll™ is sponsoring this very
popular program that will provide yet another reason
to come visit Governors Island.”
“Governors Island is a great place to experience
recreation in the middle of New York Harbor,” said
Dan Doctoroff, GIPEC Vice Chair. “Free Bike Fridays
is a tremendous opportunity for New Yorkers to
experience biking in this unique environment.”
Visitors are welcome to bring their own bikes to the
Island every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between May
30 and October 11. Visitors can also rent bicycles
from Bike and Roll™ once they arrive. On Fridays,
adult and children's bikes are free. On Saturdays
and Sundays, adult bikes can be rented for $15 for
two hours. Bike and Roll™ will also rent four-person
bike surreys, children's bikes, children’s bike
trailers, wagons and other bike accessories.
Biking has become an incredibly popular activity on
Governors Island. Biking was first permitted on the
Island in 2007. At that time, 2,000 visitors enjoyed
a one mile bike loop. In 2008, the bike loop was
expanded, and more than 25,000 visitors rode a bike
while visiting. This year, the entire 2.2 mile
waterfront promenade will be open to biking for the
first time, making more than five miles of car-free
biking available for visitors.
“Bike and Roll™ is so pleased to sponsor Free Bike
Fridays,” said Darryll White, one of the company
owners. “We look forward to providing more bikes
than ever for visitors to use as they enjoy riding
throughout the Island.”
"With ever-increasing interest launching a bike
share program here in New York, Free Bike Fridays
are a great way to stoke the demand for free public
bicycles," says Paul Steely White, Executive
Director of Transportation Alternatives. "Having
helped bring Free Bike Fridays to Governor's Island
last summer, we are thrilled that Governors Island
is continuing the tradition this year."
“Governors Island is a car-free biking oasis,” said
Leslie Koch, President of GIPEC. “We are thrilled
that biking is such an important part of the Island
today and it will continue to be in the future. The
Governors Island Park and Public Space Master Plan
integrates biking into the future park and public
spaces on the Island.”
The Governors Island Park and Public Space Master
Plan will be released in early June. An acclaimed
team, led by West 8, is designing the plan.
Biking will be a key part of the future public
spaces on the Island. The concept of a free bike
program on the Island was first explored by West 8
in their winning competition entry to design the
Governors Island Park. Their design vision is one
where free bikes are accessible to everyone on
Governors Island. The bikes are made available to
all visitors to explore the park, get around the
Island, and have fun.
Governors Island is open to the public every Friday,
Saturday and Sunday from May 30 through October 11.
The ferry ride and admission to Governors Island are
free.
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 Bike and Roll
Since 2001, Bike and Roll has been America's leading
bicycle rental and guided tour- company. With
locations nationwide and over 50 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. The
Hop On Hop Off program allows customers to ride a
bike from one Bike and Roll location to another and
leave the bike at their leisure. They may return to
pick up the bike at that location or another Bike
and Roll location within a specified period of time.
The program is designed to promote connectivity of
the 5 Boroughs and NYC Parks through combined use
with NY Water Taxi and other ferry services. Bike
and Roll also plans for the Hop On Hop Off program
to provide a safe and convenient option to access
New York City points of interests, attractions and
recreation destinations.
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.
About Transportation Alternatives
Transportation Alternatives is a 7,000-member
non-profit organization founded in 1973. T.A.
advocates for better bicycling, walking and public
transit in New York City.
About Biking on Governors Island
Visitors are invited to bring their bikes to
Governors Island every Friday-Sunday through October
11. The Island is open for visitors from 10 AM to 5
PM on Friday and 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday and
Sunday.
Adult and Children’s bikes are free on Fridays for
up to one hour. Surreys can be rented on Fridays for
a fee.
Bikes and surreys can be rented on Saturday and
Sunday. Rental rates are as follows:
For comfort bicycles on Saturdays and Sundays:
- $15 for 2 hours, $20 all day
For children’s bicycles on Saturdays and
Sundays:
- $12 for 2 hours, $15 all day
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visitors
may also rent:
- Small QuadCycle $20 for up to one hour, $30
up to two hours
- Large QuadCycle $25 for up to one hour, $35
for up to 2 hours
- Tandem bikes $25 for two hours, $35 all day
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