How many of you are heading to the beach for Spring Break or Summer Vacation? I know we will be hitting the beach and one of the things we love to do while vacationing is riding bikes on or near the beach!
When you look for Bike Rentals here are a few important tips to remember.
1. Payment – It is recommended that you use cash for your bike rentals. If you have to use a debit or credit card, make sure you obtain a receipt.
2. Bicycle Maintenance – When you arrive at the shop, ask the shop owner or employees about the maintenance of the bikes. When were these bikes last inspected? Are the brakes in working order and are the tires fully inflated? You want to make sure that any bikes that you rent are in perfect working order.
3. Insurance – Are the bicycles covered under the shop’s insurance policy if you should have an accident while riding? If not, who is liable for accidents and any damaged caused to the bicycle or the person riding it?
4. Late Fees – Most shops rent their bicycles out to people by the hour and the user must return the bike before a specific time. If you are late in returning the bicycle, what kind of late fees will you be responsible for? Are those fees reasonable?
5. Cleanliness – Most bicycles are not cleaned from user to user. We recommend that you take a pack of disinfectant wipes along with you when renting a bike. Wipe down the seat and handle bars before you leave the shop for your ride.
6. Safety Rules – Before leaving for your ride, go over all riding safety rules with every member of your family. Make sure they all understand the rules and what you expect from them while out on your bike ride. If you are not sure what the rules are, you can find a lot of web sites online that clearly explain them.
Riding bikes with your family while on vacation is a great way to get some physical exercise and to spend some family bonding time with one another. We hope those 6 tips help you have a safe and enjoyable ride!
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These rules make alot of sense and I would not have thought of all of them without this post. Although I have never rented a bike I know that it has become very popular in Europe and more popular here. I didn’t know about tip#1 or 5.
I’ve never tried renting a bike from a bike renter but I know that it’s a service that’s been popular for a number of years in various countries around the world (lot in Europe). These are all great tips to know in advance before renting and riding out your bike! Number two is really important because you want to make sure that any damage considered on the bike was there before you used it, so you don’t get hit with the accusation and the consequent fees for repairing said damage. Number three is almost akin to reading the small detail because most of the time the bike renting service company will state their non-liability in case anything happens. It’s better to have insurance if you are going to be riding in an area prone to accidents, I think. Number six is also very important because all family members should know what to do in case something happens or if somebody gets off course or left behind. Having a plan in place will prevent worry and an emergency situation! Thanks for the tips!