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Vegas by bicycle

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by DharmaForOne, Jul 17, 2016.

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  1. DharmaForOne

    DharmaForOne Tourist

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    I am exploring the idea of using a bicycle to get around on my upcoming Vegas trip. Has anyone ever tried it or know someone who has? Or maybe you have thoughts or insights about how easy/difficult this might be?

    I saw a company that rents bikes for like $55 per day. You can likely rent a car for the same/less than that. However, on Craigslist there's plenty of people selling working, adult sized bikes for $50 or $60. My thought is to buy one at the beginning of my trip, then try to trade it for a ride to the airport on my last day.

    So, the first question - Is it feasible to lock a bike in a hotel parking lot? Will the staff let you do it?

    Next question - How easy it it to get around between the major areas? Last year, I walked all the way from Jerry's Nugget in North Las Vegas to downtown, then to the strip. It was idiotic and I thought these locations were a lot closer than they really are. However, I don't recall the traffic being too bad and it would have been pretty easy on a bicycle.

    Now, the strip itself is probably impossible with all the traffic and people on the sidewalk, so resort hopping on a bike most likely wouldn't work. Maybe you still could because the cars move so slow on the street, though?
     
  2. RunningRam

    RunningRam Low-Roller

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    I wouldn't recommend doing it. Las Vegas Boulevard would be a nightmare to ride. No way that I would feel safe as the combination of speed, alcohol, and people not expecting to see bikes seems very risky. I am a triathlete and ride often but I've limited my riding in Vegas to the fitness centers or Red Rock Canyon Park. There is a bike shop near there that rents bikes and you can ride the park from there and it's safe.
     
    Annual Memorial Day trip with the wife at my home away from home!
  3. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    I am an avid cyclist, but not crazy enough to ride the streets of Vegas! I would not feel comfortable at all.
    Then again, it works for some of the locals:
    v106.jpg
     
  4. tatterdema

    tatterdema VIP Whale

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    I have noticed more and more bicycle lanes being built, especially downtown, Maryland Pkwy, etc. Not sure how accurate this is, but if you do decide to use a bike, it could help you plan.

    http://mobilitymasterplan.vegas/bicyclesurvey/
     
  5. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Nope, I'm a bike rider and I won't ride in vegas. Too hot or cold depending on the season but even moreso I value my life and more afraid of getting hurt by drivers that don't look out for bike riders. If you look at the picture above with the bike rider I think he was riding on the sidewalk and not on the road. IMHO, I wouldn't recommend riding a bike in vegas unless the bike lanes are separate from the regular road and protected from drivers (not many like this).
     
  6. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I'm not sure where you could even ride on LVB. You're either in the street with the aggressive taxi drivers and drunk looky-loos, or you're on the sidewalk with the happy wanderers who would step out in front of you. I suppose you could ride on the alternate streets like Paradise or the frontage streets between the highway and the casinos, but why? :) I also don't think I've ever seen a bike rack anywhere at a casino. I haven't looked for them, so maybe I missed them, but I'd be surprised to see one.

    My husband used to love to spend a day where he'd rent a mountain bike or book a bike tour and head out towards Red Rock and do his thing. More free, unsupervised casino time for me. :poker:
     
  7. azlefty

    azlefty VIP Whale

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    You could probably do it off the strip, especially east near unlv. A bike you pick up for $50 will be pretty basic.
    If you try it, please let us know your experience.
    Maybe call the bike rental shop you found and ask them where you can ride in Vegas.
     
  8. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    Even if the strip had zero traffic, for casino hopping, it would be super uncomfortable, with all the sweating etc. And I don't think it'll be any more fun (or effective) than walking at or around the strip/downtown. At least when walking, you don't have to worry about walking to/from the garage and the bike being stolen In between strip and downtown, maybe, but what's the point? There are many other better ways to commute in between.

    If you're into exercise part of it, then you can rent a car and bike for a day and head out to the couple parks around Vegas.
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Not to be morbid, but would it be inappropriate if I took out a life insurance policy on you?
     
  10. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    I'm an avid cyclist, not a cycling commuter, but I do long club rides every weekend. I would not ride around Vegas near the strip. It's just too dangerous. I also don't see doing it to save money, just take the bus. A number of years ago a friend of money was trying to be an amateur racer. While he was in Vegas for the NAB convention he would wake at 6 am, ride for an hour or so away from the strip, I think he went towards Summerlin, and back. He did it that early because of the heat.
     
  11. DharmaForOne

    DharmaForOne Tourist

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    Well, I did it. After checking in to the Stratosphere , I walked down the street a little ways and met a guy on a bike. A local, I think. He advised me to just in to a pawn shop instead of Craigslist, since they are everywhere and have so many bikes they are eager to get rid of.

    So that's what I did. I got a functioning mountain bike for $30 at an EZ pawn. I was also able to get a lock at a nearby Walgreens.

    1) Regarding bike racks, it turns out all the big casino hotels I visited have them. Just ask the parking attendant.

    2) Getting around wasn't bad. Besides the strip and Freemont, the sidewalks are pretty clear, so I just rode on them. The temperature was tough at times, though. I was cautious and always kept a bottle of water with me (during the day at least.) This added some expense, and some time to stop for water.

    3) I went all over, probably moving around more than I needed or normally would. I like the pace of sightseeing on a bike and enjoyed 75% of the riding. From the stratosphere, I rode east and west on Sahara, to the strip, downtown, to north Las Vegas and to the airport - I didn't say for any ride except the hotel shuttle when g first arrived. One night I hopped through several of the clubs in the 'after dark' section. I guess the bike made me look like a local, because they let me in free or at a greatly reduced cover.

    4) Overall, it was fun to do. If I did it again, I might try a road bike for the extra speed. I also would try not to ride in the afternoon as much. Was it worth it? I definitely saved money. But it was also slower and tough in the high heat. So, it depends on your plans, how much you like wandering, how many areas you visit, and the time of day you want to move around.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  12. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    What did you do with it when you were leaving?

    We first rented bikes in New Orleans. I'm an avid mountain biker so I love being on a bike, so riding around New Orleans was the perfect way to see that city. We recently went to Washington, DC. We ended up renting bikes, but like you, I had wanted to just buy bikes off of Craig's list because it would be cheaper. The problem I had was how to get to the seller, and how do you get the bikes back to your hotel after you buy it.

    Pawn Shops. Good tip. I'll remember that for future cities.
     
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  13. DharmaForOne

    DharmaForOne Tourist

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    Good question - My original plan was to put it on Craigslist and trade it for a ride to the airport. When I mentioned this to somebody - I think I told my plan to a valet attendent or something - they suggested using a smartphone app called OfferUp. It is like Craigslist, but built for smartphones and easier to use. I did make a post on there and had two people interested, but both fell through.I only posted it the day before my flight home though. Maybe with more advance notice I would have better luck.

    I decided to see how far I could ride it to the airport. It turns out there is a sidewalk all the way up to the terminal. When I got close, I saw someone who was apparently trying to walk *from* the airport on the sidewalk, so I just gave them the bike and lock to them and walked the remaing ~100 yards to the terminal.


    By the way, I was looking at the average temperatures for Las Vegas in October and November. It looks like highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s are pretty common. Now that sounds pleasant for riding. If that's true (and it doesn't feel too cold because of wind chill or whatever) I would absolutely go the bike route if I were visiting in fall.
     
  14. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    Dharma,

    Thanks for posting the follow-ups! It sounds like it worked out very well. The pawn shop idea was excellent, especially since you were staying at the Sahara and probably had a few options close by. Handing off your bike within 100 yards of the airport was a huge win!
     
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