Colorado's Newest Bike Sharing Program Boosted By Federal Grant

By Doug Hoffacker

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado's newest bike sharing program may turn out to be one of the best yet. Bikes are free for the first two hours at the new Golden Bike Library. That's right, free!

A total of 40 bikes are available to check out at the new bike barn behind the Golden Visitor's Center at 1010 Washington Avenue, right on the Clear Creek bike path. Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. through 3 p.m., plus there's a key drop box that will allow bikes to be returned after hours.

All you need is a credit card and ID, and your signature on a waiver for damages and you can be on your way. On one credit card you can check out bikes for you and your whole family or a group of friends.

If you want to ride longer than 2 hours, you can rent for the day for $10.

All bikes come with a lock, plus they give you a reusable water bottle and loan you an adjustable bike helmet.

Why is it such a bargain? The city got a federal grant to fund the program.

Unlike Denver's B-cycle bike share with all the same three-gear cruiser bikes, Golden's includes children's bikes and lightweight bikes geared to multiple sizes so you can cruise through town or tackle the foothills and mesas.

The Clear Creek path through town can take you past the flagship Coors Brewery and downstream to Wheat Ridge, or you can pedal uphill into the canyon where in just a mile or two it looks you're in the wild with the city life far behind.

Golden has 24 miles of interconnected trails.

A growing number of Colorado cities and towns have joined the bike sharing craze since Denver launched its first in the nation B-cycle program in 2010 after a test run during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Boulder B-cycle pedaled into action the following year, and Fort Collins and Aspen added programs in the past two years.

The city of Westminster will roll out its bike sharing plan July 17.

For more information, visit www.goldenbikelibrary.com.