Bike rental for business trip

[gnat23]

Conference registration, check.
Flight, check.
Hotel, check.

Car rental? Meh, would rather not. The company covers it, but it's not like I'm going to be needing to drive a bunch...

I'd like to do a bike rental instead. Now, I know it's not going to be the kind of thing I can pick up from the airport, but once I get to the hotel (shuttle or cab, I guess) I found a bunch of cruiser rental shops just over a mile from where I'm staying. For a few full-day rental fees, I figure that should be fine for exploring the nearby neighborhoods in the evenings after my conference lets out.

Anyone had any luck with getting their company to cover bike rental as a business-travel expense, or is this considered pure selfish entertainment?

-- gnat! (I'm ok with covering it out of my own pocket, but it seems like it would be good eco-karma for my company, no?)

[Mr. Bloom]

Anyone had any luck with getting their company to cover bike rental as a business-travel expense, or is this considered pure selfish entertainment?

Seems to me it might be a good place to start by talking with the person who signs off on the expense report and making sure they're OK with it based on your reasonable rationale...plus:

• car rental
• fuel surcharge
• airport pickup surcharge
• hotel parking
• the car will cost as much as the hotel!

I know that in 25 years, the expense reports I've done were all labeled "Transportation", not "Car Rental". But then, there's also company policy

One word of caution: Last year we vacationed in Maine and rented some bikes...we were very disappointed. I suspect that your experience might be better since you have several proximate rental options, but I caution against raising your expectations too high.

[Aggie_Ama]

On the flip side from Mr Silver, last September my husband and I rented beach cruisers in Port Aransas, TX. It was the only place in town, so we had to take the risk of them being junk. They weren't cool Electras but they were in excellent shape for being used primarily on the beach. The guy also included a lock, lights and helmets, which we didn't take because the speed limit is 15 on the island. On top of that it was very reasonable ($20 for two hours I think), we go to the island once a year and have never had as much fun as we did those two hours.

[mimitabby]

Since bike rental is probably cheaper than car rental, i'll bet your company won't mind! so why don't you try it? you have nothing to lose.

[bouncybouncy]

Is it really cheaper? Hubby and I rented a tandem in Vancouver for the day...it was about $60. Ama rented one for $20 for ONLY 2 hours!! We are getting a car for a day for $40. How many days are you renting? I am thinking that with the cost of gas added in it would be similar but I have not done any research! I would approach the person signing off on the expenses...BUT go in with an estimate of what a car would cost (including gas) and a bike...if they are comparable (or the bike is cheaper as Mimi suggested) how could they say no???

I know my bosses would be thrilled if I rented a bike instead of a car on a business trip!!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I actually double checked the site we rented from:
Beach Cruiser - 4 Hours $ 10.00
Beach Cruiser - 24 Hours $ 20.00

We did the 4 hours, $20 for two people. You can't do much of anything for that price! This may be an exception on bike rentals, this place makes most their money off renting electric cars. By comparison those little guys are $95 for 4 hours!

[bouncybouncy]

Maybe you just happen to be going where there is a "free-bie" ??? Just thought I would ask...

[tulip]

Ah, the benefits of being one's own boss!

I'll be in Chicago next week and would like to rent a bike to ride along the lake. Does anyone know if the cool bike station behind the Gehry stage at Millenium Park rents bikes? I don't want to mess with checked luggage, so I'm not taking my folding bike.

[Mr. Bloom]

Here you go tulip:

http://www.bikechicago.com/rentals/

[tulip]

Here you go tulip:

http://www.bikechicago.com/rentals/

FABULOUS! Thank you so much!

[gnat23]

Maybe you just happen to be going where there is a "free-bie" ??? Just thought I would ask...

San Diego, this coming Monday (eep! fast!)!

-- gnat!