Bike rentals are a great way to explore towns and cities, especially on vacation. But there are plenty of things to consider when renting bikes, whether you’re getting them for an hour or for a whole day. Check out our tips below to help get the most out of your next bike rental.
DO make sure your bike is in good shape
You might be tempted to rent a bike that looks cool and has a nice paint job—and hey, we’re all for looking cool while riding bikes! But when it comes to safety, no amount of coolness can make up for a poorly maintained bike. Before you rent any bike, take a look at the tires (they should be neither too flat nor too bulging), check the brakes (if they don’t work smoothly, it’s time for new ones), and look at the chain (if it’s showing signs of rust or wear).
DON’T forget about safety gear
Even if you’re just going for a leisurely ride around town with friends, wearing a helmet can help protect your head in case of an accident.
DO check your tire pressure
You should check your tire pressure before every ride, and you should check it again if the wheels seem to be rubbing against the brake pads or chain ring. If you feel like you need to inflate your tires, use a pump with an adjustable gauge.
DON’T ride without a helmet or protective gear
Helmets are not only good for protecting your head in an accident, but they’ll also protect your face from getting scraped up by branches or rocks while riding off-road. And it’s important to wear gloves that have at least some grip so that they won’t slip off while riding; this can prevent serious injury when falling off of your bike.
DO Use the right bike for the job
If you’re riding down a dirt path or a gravel road, don’t ride on a road bike—it will be too bumpy! Likewise, if it’s raining out, don’t try to ride in flip flops—you’ll get your feet wet!
Bottomline
Some of us love riding bikes, but some of us are just… not that into it. But if you’re looking to get into biking, or just want to be a more informed rider, we hope our guide of bike rental dos and don’ts will be useful..
Author bio– Oren Sabag is an entrepreneur with 21 years of retail/wholesale experience. He also founded one of the first startups in the world that provided financial services to migrant workers via a mobile platform, Neema. Asaph graduated from the Y Combinator program in Silicon Valley and led his startup to a $30M valuation with an EBITDA margin of 20% and acquisition. He now runs Bone Shaker Electric Bikes in Venice and Santa Monica.