Featured Image Credit: Camels and Chocolate
Biking can be a lot of fun when you’re gliding down quiet side streets filled with flowers and historic houses. Off the peninsula, however, that can be a different story. No bike lanes, limited bike racks, and crowded roads on the outskirts might make you want to rent a bike when you go downtown!
Here are some helpful tips if you are teetering between purchasing a bike or renting one.
College of Charleston supplies a free daily bike share program for its students. However, this requires a valid Cougar Card. For people who are not students but wanting to experience the whimsical experience of riding through historical Charleston; there is a different option for you.
Image Credit: Bike Law
Holy Spokes, a self-serve bike share service that has stations all throughout downtown Charleston. All you have to do is just download the app to pay and use the bikes. Holy Spokes offers a free 60 minutes a day to MUSC students and employees. It’s definitely a great alternative if you are not looking to purchase a bike.
Looking to purchase a bike? The College’s Student Government Association holds a bike auction at the beginning of each school year. They auction all the bikes that the campus police have confiscated for abandonment or rule violations. This auction takes place in late August and only accepts cash/check. Rather buy new? Downtown has two bicycle shops: Affordabike and The Bicycle Shoppe.
Image Credit: Charleston City Paper
Live downtown and don’t want your bike to be confiscated or stolen? CofC requires all bikes to be registered with the campus police or the City of Charleston. It is only a dollar to register your bike and will help if something happens to it. Bikes can be a hot item downtown therefore, it is important to protect your bike from thieves. Using a U-lock instead of a chain is highly recommended. Chain locks can be easily snipped with bolt cutters. The city can also confiscate your bike if you are on campus and do not use the provided bike racks.