Don’t have a bike?

Taking the pledge requires owning or having access to a bicycle. Bicycles range from utterly simple to super-high tech, with prices to match. But the most important feature of your bicycle is that you feel comfortable using it.

Cycling on a shoestring:

There are many ways to find used and discounted bicycles for sale. Bicycle Coops, garage sales, the internet, and used sporting goods stores are the places to go for the deepest discounts. But if you plan on riding a bicycle daily, its important to have a bicycle that fits your body, and is built for the type of riding you do. Bike shops across the country are willing to show you their bikes and answer your questions, so pop on in and tell them where, why, and how often you would like to ride a bicycle. If you are working on a budget, let them know. Give them a price range and ask if they hold seasonal or yearly sales to move older models off the shelves.

Renting Bikes:

American cities are borrowing an idea from Europe and installing easy-to-use bicycle rental systems. Rental bicycles are posted at pick-up points or kiosks around the city; users can pick up a bike at one point, ride it across the city and drop it off at any other rental point.

If you vacation, consider looking into bicycle rentals rather than car rentals. If your hotel or B&B can shuttle you from the airport or train station, you may not need to use a car during your stay. Exploring cities and villages by bike allows you to see more and stop often!

Finding routes:

Bicycles can go most places cars can go, and far beyond. On streets, cyclists are meant to follow the same rules that cars are, so next time you drive your car to work, imagine yourself on a bicycle. You may discover that you wouldn’t be comfortable riding through some of the intersections, or that your route prohibits bicycles (such as some highways and interstates). But that doesn’t mean there isn’t another, more bicycle-friendly route. Get out your map, ask your neighbors, and do some exploring. Many people find that riding a bike takes much less time than driving a car through workday traffic, so the search for the perfect route may reward you with more snooze time!