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There’s nothing like renting a bike while on vacation. You get the perks of cruising around town, getting exercise, and enjoying a whole new environment to explore. No matter which city you explore, chances are that a company or a vendor offers bike rentals for tourists. With such widespread availability, this raises a question: How long should I rent a bike while on my next vacation? In this article, we will take a look at how long you should rent a bike for when you’re on vacation, comparing the pros and cons of each rental type.
Hourly Rental
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Pros: The most common option for bike rental is by the hour. Hourly rentals are great for a daily excursion, such as exploring local trails or cruising a boardwalk at your leisure. Best of all, hourly bike rentals are the cheapest option compared to daily or weekly rental schemes.
There are plenty of companies that offer bike rentals from a store or a kiosk. Typically, stores require basic information, a deposit, and credit card information. Kiosks require a credit card and a deposit for billing, making this an easy option.
Cons: Hourly rentals due back in within a specific frame limits how far you can bicycle. For example, if you have a 4-hour rental, the furthest you can pedal is two hours from town (or you’ll be penalized with a late fee).
Kiosk-rented bicycles usually have GPS-enabled locking mechanisms that prevent riders from steering off course. You may also have a hard time finding a place to return the kiosk - either popular locations are full or available drop-off locations may be out of your way.
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Daily Rentals
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Pros: If you choose a daily rental, you will have the ability to have an entire day of riding at your leisure. Daily rentals are great for those that don’t want to be under a time-crunch or want more flexible plans. You can spend an entire day cycling from destination to destination, which is great exercise and a perfect way to maximize your next vacation.
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Cons: Availability may be scarce during peak times, where vendors can earn more from multiple renters than single users. You will also be responsible for the bike with a daily rental, presenting some difficulties with storage and preventing theft. Eventually, you will have to return the bike the following day or before a rental store closes.
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Weekly Rentals
Pros: If you have a long vacation ahead of you, why not choose a weekly bicycle rental. This type of rental gives you the freedom to explore parks that may be out of city limits, get regular exercise to start your day, have a form of transportation, and many more possibilities.
Cons: Weekly rentals are the most expensive bike rental options. Unless you plan to rent an expensive bike, it may be more advantageous to buy a cheaper bicycle on your vacation and sell it at the end (or donate it to someone in need). You’ll also have to store and secure the bike to deter thieves that prey upon vacationers, which can be more expensive and certainly put a damper on your vacation.
