Bike Share on Governors Island
I went out to the first free Friday on Governors Island and met dozens of people taking advantage of this carfree biking oasis. Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC), Transportation Alternatives and Bike and Roll have joined forces to create what they are calling New York City's first sustained bike share program. Every Friday between June 6th and October 4th, Governors Island visitors can rent adult and children's bikes at no charge. On Saturdays and Sundays bikes can be rented at cost. To find out more about biking on Governors Island, click here.
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Leslie Koch:</i> [00:17]
We are on Governors Island. I’m standing in front of Bike and
Roll. For the first time we have bike rental on Governors Island
and we have free Bike Fridays, which means that all the bikes you see
behind me are free.</font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Ettai Karty:</i> [00:35]
These bikes are beach cruisers which means they’re like a single speed
bikes. Trying to keep it simple around the Island.</font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [00:44]
We were just channel surfing and they mentioned something about free
bikes on Governors Island. I’d never been here and I love biking
and I’m visiting from California, so what could be better?</font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [00:51]
I came out because I heard that they were doing free bikes on Fridays
and I thought it would be a cool thing to do. I’ve never been
on Governors Island, so it got me out here. It has been years
so I’m actually kind of worried. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [01:27]
Pretty great. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [01:30]
With the way the gas prices are going I think this is my next vehicle. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Leslie Koch:</i> [01:36]
We do this with Transportation Alternatives and we’re incredibly grateful
for their sponsorship of this free opportunity to show how much New
Yorkers love to bike for free, and to give ideas that New Yorkers will
return their bikes and keep them in good condition. And we hope
that people will be looking at this example and hopefully extending
it off the Island, perhaps that other Island across the river, called
Manhattan Island. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Ettai Karty:</i> [02:02]
We’re trying to make New York more bike friendly and bike accessible,
so this Island is a great opportunity for bikes. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [02:12]
This was a really nice day.</font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [02:15]
Next I guess I’m going to bring my children here before the summer’s
over. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [02:18]
It was a great day. I had a great time. I was able to ride
a bike after ten years of not riding a bike, and it was a great plug
for this place to finally come out and see it. </font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><i>Speaker:</i> [02:27]
This is the perfect symbol of democracy. No matter where you live
in New York City, you can hop on mass transit to get to the free ferry
and ride free bikes. </font> <br></p>
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