Austin is one of the United States’ most bike-friendly cities. But you don’t have to own a bike to start peddling with the thousands of cyclists cruising through the city.
Austin has tons of bike rental options.
You can rent from Austin B-Cycle stations throughout central Austin. Or you can get a specialized mountain bike from a retailer to explore dozens of off-road trails; grab a hybrid to blend road and gravel paths; or rent a high-performance road bike and blast off on hundreds of bike lanes or out into Hill Country.
Likewise, you can rent bikes with baby seats and pull-along trailers. Or, head out with your spouse or a friend and enjoy the fresh air on a tandem bike.
If you want a little more speed and a little less effort, Austin has electronic bikes for rent, too.
Just remember a helmet (it’s required by law for people under age 18) and a front light for any riding after sunset — though most rental shops will hook you up with everything you need. Learn more about safe riding in Austin here.
Bike rental is simple if you know where to go and what to expect. Consider setting a reservation, particularly if you hope to rent a specialized bicycle.
Here’s a look at some great options.
Austin B-Cycle: B-Cycle has about 40 stations in the downtown area where you can walk up to the unstaffed racks, swipe your credit card, grab a bike and take off. Rates start at $8, which includes 30 minutes of usage. The clock starts and stops when you leave the rack and return to one. So you could take three 10-minute trips or just ride away and pay $4 per half hour for up to 24 hours. The nationwide company also has memberships to lower costs for frequent renters.
Barton Springs Bike Rental: Conveniently located next to the springs and several great downtown paths, Barton Springs Bike Rental has a wide variety of options that includes road bikes, cruisers, tandem bikes, baby seats, trailers and performance mountain bikes. They rent bikes by the hour for up to three hours. After that, you can keep the bike until the end of the business day gratis. Or, keep the bike overnight for a small additional fee.
Austin Bike Tours and Rentals: A bicycle tour is one of the best ways to explore the city while getting a little exercise and having some fun on a bike. These guys have you covered. Their two-hour guided tours happen at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations only. They’re located right downtown near 5th and Congress near some of the city’s biggest downtown condos.
Rocket Electrics: Peddle as much or as little as you’d like. These electronic bikes will reach 20 MPH and go for about 20 miles on a single charge. Rates start at $38 for daytime riding, although there are discounts if you get a late start after 3 p.m. The company also offers tours, such as the “Live Music Capital of the World” tour, which ends with a live acoustic performance.
Bicycle Sport Shop: Just a couple blocks south of Lady Bird Lake on South Lamar in the Zilker neighborhood, Bicycle Sport Shop offers a variety of bikes to equip you for just about any kind of riding in Ausitn — mountain, road, cruisers, tandem and even the Eiliptigo, which combines the motion of running with the wheels and speed of a bike. Adult rentals start at $28 for a half day. It’s one of the best options for people looking to try out a high performance bicycle for a day or more.
Ozone Bike Dept.: If you’re north of the University of Texas in the North University neighborhood, consider a rental from Ozone. They have a reputation as one of the friendliest shops in town, and they offer rentals for $25 per day.