We Provide Free Loaner Bikes --
|
One of the most popular activities provided by FOCHSP is" Borrow-a-Bike". Here people can borrow a bike to ride within the park and see the sights for up to 2 hours...at no charge! That said, we do gladly accept all donations to help us offset the cost of new bikes, helmets and maintenance. There is a secure donation box on the left front of the Barn.
Since its start in 1997, Borrow-a-Bike has always been operated entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. In 2014, bikes were borrowed by around 13,000 people and that number continues to grow, reaching more than 14,000 in 2019 Please scroll down to see our opening hours, and for how to borrow our bikes Local Bike Shops Support Friends of CHSP Bike Program The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) Borrow-a-Bicycle program received an early present last year. For twenty-six years, visitors have been able to visit the Bike Barn adjacent to the Nature Center and borrow a free bicycle to tour the Park’s paths. The Bike Barn holds a fleet of forty-four adult bikes, twelve kids’ bikes, and three commercial grade bike trailers. The bike fleet has always relied on donated equipment, maintained by the talented bike mechanics who are members of FOCHSP’s all-volunteer Bike Barn Ambassadors group, but these trusty cycles have been showing their age. FOCHSP performed a major upgrade to the fleet in 2022.. Thirty-one of the adult bikes in the fleet were replaced with near-new Electra and Sun cruiser bikes. (See below) All bikes are now outfitted with baskets and bike bells. Ian Friedland, the Bike Barn coordinator notes that this upgrade couldn’t have happened without assistance from the wonderful folks at Lewes Cycle Sports, Seagreen Bicycles, and Rehoboth Cycle Sports. All three shops continue to provide outstanding support for the program. Twenty-six of the replaced bikes were moved on to serve a different population. FOCHSP donated them to the Delaware Department of Transportation’s (DelDOT) J1 Bicycle program. This program gives bikes to the foreign students who come and work in local shops and restaurants during the busy summer months. |
|
Early Fall opening hours for the Bike Barn are now 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays) 10:00 am - 3pm Bikes can be borrowed for up to 2 hours, weather permitting, with last bikes out at 2 pm.
All bikes must be returned to the Bike Barn by 2:45 pm. Please check back here regularly, as days and hours of operation may be subject to change
Procedures are in place to ensure safety for our Bike Barn volunteers and our visitors. This includes restricting access to the Bike Barn buildings – visitors pick up and return bikes and helmets outside the Bike Barn.
Borrowers must complete the form provided inside the Nature Center, and leave a photo-ID there for up to 5 riders, prior to picking up bikes.
Groups larger than 10 must email: FOCHSP@gmail.com or call us
at 302-858-6127. At least a week in advance to schedule their requirements
- All riders under 18 must wear helmets
- At least one responsible adult must accompany children in each group
- Bikes and helmets will be available for pickup at the bike racks located between the Nature Center and Bike Barn.
- Bikes must stay on trails and in the Park at all times
- Bikes must be returned within 2 hours, but no later than 2:45 p.m.
- Please Note: Due to concerns for their health and safety, children under the age of 12 months are not allowed on our bikes with infant seats, or in our trailers.
There is also a highly respected international organization called “Safe Kids” which offers the same advice. Click/ tap here for full information on this topic:
Bike Safety for Babies | Safe Kids Worldwide