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For immediate release:
June 3, 2009
Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano: 212-440-2205 |
erapuano@empire.state.ny.us
Free Bike Fridays Begin on
Governors Island
Popular program kicks off on June
5
Double the number of bikes as last year, five
miles of car-free biking available
Free Bike Fridays, the tremendously popular free
program on Governors Island, begins this Friday,
June 5, the Governors Island Preservation and
Education Corporation (GIPEC) announced today. Every
Friday between June 5 and October 9, visitors can
borrow a bike for free, for up to one hour. More
than 200 bikes will be available for the program
this year. Free Bike Fridays is sponsored by Bike
and Roll™.
Free Bike Fridays first began in 2008, and following
its tremendous success, it is being offered again
this year.
“More than one quarter of all visitors bike while on
Governors Island, making it one of the Island’s
signature activities,” said GIPEC Chair Avi Schick.
“We are so pleased that more New Yorkers than ever
will have the opportunity to borrow a bike for free
and explore the Island.”
"Governors Island, with its sweeping views, great
open spaces, car-free roads and the return of its
bike-share program, makes this a must-visit
destination in the City," said City Transportation
Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "Free Bike Fridays
helps make for the perfect start to any weekend and
a great introduction to cycling as a healthy,
enjoyable and efficient way to get around the City
and experience all it has to offer."
Governors Island has more than five miles of
car-free biking available to visitors. This year,
for the first time, visitors can bike around the
entire 2.2 mile promenade that circles the Island.
Also for the first time, they can bike to Picnic
Point, a new eight acre picnic area on the Island’s
southwestern corner that has never before been open
to the public.
On Fridays, Governors Island is open from 10 AM to 5
PM. The ferry runs once an hour between the Battery
Maritime Building and Governors Island. The ferry
ride, as well as admission to the Island is free. An
updated ferry schedule can be found on
www.govisland.com.
The Bike and Roll™ rental kiosk is located
immediately to the left after visitors disembark the
Governors Island ferry.
Visitors are also permitted to bring their own bikes
from Friday – Sunday when the Island is open to the
public. 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™ also
rents four-person bike surreys, children's bikes,
children’s bike trailers, wagons and other bike
accessories.
"Free public bikes are proving a huge boost to
bicycling in New York,” said Paul Steely White,
Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives (T.A.).
"T.A. is proud to have brought free biking to
Governors Island last year and we are thrilled to
see the program continuing."
“Free Bike Fridays is a great program for Governors
Island visitors,” said Darryll White, one of the
company owners. “This year, with twice the number of
bikes available for the public, combined with more
and more people discovering the revitalized New York
City waterfront, we look forward to bringing the joy
of biking on Governors Island to an ever increasing
diverse audience of both residents and visitors.
We're honored and proud to be a part of this very
beneficial program".
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 Governors 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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