Free Bike Program Comes to Farmington

The Simsbury Free Bike program is an enviable asset of Farmington’s neighbor that allows residents to borrow bicycles and enjoy a ride without the expense of buying a bike or the hassle of transporting one.

Now, however, the program is expanding into Farmington. Starting May 1, Farmington residents will be able to borrow high quality bicycles from , in Unionville, thanks to owner Paul Kramer’s willingness to participate and Simsbury Free Bike’s eagerness to spread the program, which has worked so well in Simsbury.

Residents need only to present proof that they’re over 18 years old, along with a $10 refundable deposit, to borrow a bicycle, helmet and bike lock for up to 24 hours.

"We are located less than 100 feet from the bike trail. Riders will find it an easy and beautiful bike ride to Collinsville Center. We can offer a day of family fun or a great date venue," said Kramer, who is a fan of the program.

Simsbury Free Bike launched in July of 2011 as one of the first bike share programs in Connecticut. The programs are becoming an increasingly popular way to promote exercise and to get people out of cars and into the outdoors.

“We’ve had such great success in Simsbury that the Trails Council and the bikers put their heads together to see where else is a logical place along the trail,” said Pattie Smith Jacobus, one of the program’s founders. “Paul Kramer came to mind immediately… he’s got a footpath that goes right up to the bike trail and it’s a great spot. He was very receptive to the idea.”

Riverfront Miniature Golf is just steps from the newly finished section of the Farmington River Trail that leads to Collinsville along several miles of the Farmington River.

Residents can also ride into Unionville, Jacobus said, to visit local shops.

“There’s a wonderful economic impact of having bike traffic. We discovered that 50 percent of people who borrowed bikes last year were from out of town. It really draws people into town.”

The organization plans on eventually expanding its reach throughout the area and into Granby and Avon.

"It is our hope to have bikes all along the trails from Massachusetts to New Haven," said program director Larry Linonis.

For Simsbury Free Bike organizers, the program is part of a larger effort to promote bike transportation. The town is designated as a bicycle friendly community and representatives from Simsbury have visited Farmington and other nearby towns to discuss the process.

Simsbury Free Bike runs May 1 through October and bikes can be borrowed during the hours of operation of their host locations. This year bikes can be borrowed from Fitzgerald's Supermarket, Simsbury Town Hall, Bidwell's Yard, Garden & Pet Center, Flamig Farm, and Riverfront Miniature Golf & Ice Cream in Unionville. Bikes will also be available to guests at Simsbury Inn.

For more information about the program, visit www.facebook.com/simsburyfreebike.