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 by  2018 that number had grown to  more than 14,500.
The Friends’ Borrow-a-Bike program  returned on  June 16, 2021.  The Barn is now open 10 am to 3 pm , 7 days a week– weather permitting.  Bikes can be borrowed for up to 2 hours, with last bikes out at 2 pm.  All bikes must be returned to the Bike Barn by 2:45 pm.
 
We will be enforcing new procedures to ensure safety for our Bike Barn volunteers and visitors. This will include restricting access to the Bike Barn buildings – visitors will 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, prior to picking up bikes.
  • Groups are limited to 5 riders.
  • All riders under 18 must wear helmets.
  • Orange cones will be placed at 6-foot intervals; groups must stay at the next available cone until it is their turn to pick up bikes.
  • Bikes will be available for pickup at the bike racks located between the Nature Center and Bike Barn.
  • Bikes and helmets are to be returned on the opposite side of the 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 check back here regularly as days and hours of operation may be subject to change
 


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The Story of Borrow-A- Bike

The Borrow-A-Bike program began with a plan in 1997 and has always been operated by volunteers. In 1999, a $3,000 grant from The Delaware Bicycle Council enabled the purchase of 15 bikes that were housed in a shed built by the Lion’s Club. Additional donations — including $1,000 from Dupont — increased the program to 35 bicycles operated from a new shed supplied by the Friends. The current "Bike Barn"  which stands next to the Nature Center was built from scratch in 2009 by Friends volunteers under the leadership of Stan Lemiska, Chuck Moore, and Carl Lofgren. Today, the program includes  more than 40 adult  bicycles, including 2 with baby carriers, 12 children’s bicycles, and  2 double baby trailers.  Due to the  popularity of the program a second  Bike Barn has recently  been built  behind the existing one. This will also  free up much needed space  for the ongoing maintenance  and repairs of the bikes.

 Interested in Volunteering? 

We always need  volunteers to  act as "ambassadors"  who help  our visitors select the right bike for their needs, and/or  as mechanics to service and make running repairs  to our fleet.   If you would like to volunteer and want to know more about what is involved  please stop by the Barn  which is next to the Nature Center anytime we are open ,  or  go to "contact us" on this site and   call or email us.  You will receive a very warm welcome to our group for however much or little time you are able to give.
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In  Memory of Gordon Reed   1930 - 2018
​         Founding Father of our Program 


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