Free Bicycle Loaner Program

Working with the City of Punta Gorda, TEAM offers Free Loaner Bicycles at area locations

 

BIG NEWS! TEAM Gets New Bikes;  Fishermen’s Village bike site reopens

Two dozen new, yellow, Free Loaner Bikes ordered by TEAM in late 2021 are now being deployed. Eight of the bikes sponsored by Four Points by Sheraton are in place and in use.   The Free Loaner Bike program serves over 5,000 riders per year from virtually every state in the union and many foreign countries.

The Fishermen’s Village bike site has reopened and has free bikes available for use.

We are grateful to our Free Loaner Bike sponsors and to Pedal and Play in Paradise riders for providing the funds which keep this unique program operating. The Punta Gorda Trek Bicycle Shop facilitated the acquisition and provided a generous discount. They continue to provide repair support for the bikes. Both Four Points by Sheraton and Trek are TEAM Platinum Sponsors. Want to sponsor a bike? TEAM will acknowledge your donation with a sign on the basket. Reach out to Chair Bill Welsch through the TEAM office.

TEAM Volunteers load new bikes

TEAM volunteers Steve Catalino (left) and ALex Blackburn unload bikes at Four Points

Volunteer Steve Catalino and 8:18 Renovation & Restoration Pickup loaded with bikes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left) TEAM Volunteers Bill Welsch, Sean Carlson, and Kevin Hogan put bikes into service at Fishermen’s Village.

(Right) Fishermen’s Village staff Tommy Erikson and Sharon Williams proudly display Free Bike Loaner sign.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Kathy Oberle

 

Check out this video recognizing our 10 year anniversary. Turn up the volume!

Free Loaner Bike Information and Details

Bicycles are located throughout the city:

Fishermen’s Village – 1200 Retta Esplanade, 941-575-3000 

• Four Points Sheraton – 33 Tamiami Trail, 941-637-6770

Springhill Suites 101 Harborside, 941-347-4224 

 

 

 

It’s easy to borrow a bike:

• Check in with host site.
• They will copy your ID and credit card; copies will be destroyed when you return the bike.
• Sign the City of Punta Gorda “rider waiver.”
• You will be provided a helmet, lock and cable, Punta Gorda Pathways Map and a TEAM Loaner Bicycle Brochure.
• Hop on and have fun!

PLEASE NOTE: Bikes must be returned to the site from which they were borrowed. The times of bike availability vary with each location, but in most cases, bikes are to be returned by 4 pm. Bikes cannot be reserved. Only adult bikes are available. 

 

Although bikes are available to the public for free, the program is supported by the generosity of people like you. It’s easy and rewarding.

  • Make a nominal CASH DONATION at the bike site.
  • BECOME A SPONSOR! Individuals or organizations can sponsor a bike and be recognized in TEAM media as well as with a placard on the bike. Contact TEAM at 941-637-8326 to learn more.

A BIG THANKS to sponsors who have joined us this year:

  • Century 21 Aztec
  • Jeanne and Kevin Hogan
  • Marianne Lilly, Re Max Harbor Realty
  • Lennore Shubel, Coldwell Banker Sunstar Fishermen’s Village
  • Charlotte Community Foundation
  • Punta Gorda Rotary Club

 

Help maintain our bicycle fleet. If you like to be outdoors and can operate a bicycle pump, you’d be a perfect fit for our team. Our bicycle team members visit the  bike sites once per week and do minor repairs such as tighten chains, adjust seats, put air in tires, etc.  We use ACME Bicycle Shop for more serious repairs.

For more information, call TEAM at 941-637-8326.