While we love biking in the city, sometimes it gets to be a bit much. Contending with horn-honking, overzealous cabbies, disappearing bike lanes and a maze of cars and buses is enough to make even the most determined peddler long for greener pastures.

Luckily, Fire Island, our Trip Pick of the Week, is completely car-less—it doesn’t get much more bike-friendly than that. Keep reading to learn where to rent a bike on Fire Island, and where to let all of the newfound freedom of being the only wheels on the road lead you. 

Most of Fire Island's "towns" have just a few basic shops or services. Three exceptions, however, are Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park, and Fair Harbor, where you'll find restaurants, food markets and yes, bike rental shops. 

If you'd like to bring your own bike to Fire Island, a note of caution: While you can bring your bike with you on the ferry ride over, taking it on the LIRR can get complicated (they're not allowed during peak hours). So unless you're driving to the ferry, we recommend skipping the hassle of bringing your own wheels, and picking up a set once you arrive at our Trip Pick of the Week.  

The Ocean Beach Hardware store has bike rentals for just $15 per day. (Warning: the Ocean Beach community does not allow bike riding on weekends, as its tiny roads (i.e. sidewalks) get too busy. That said, you can walk your bike to neighboring Seaview and head off on a ride from there!

482 Bayberry Walk, 631.583.5826 

Schooner Inn is a bicycle shop that offers rentals, bike repairs and sells all of the necessary equipment for a day of cycling. The Inn also boasts a bar and pizza place on the premises for fueling up before or after your ride.

57 Bayview Ave., 631.583.9561 

A shop called Corliss on the Baym has bike rentals.

Bay Walk, 631.583.5115 

Fire Island is just 32 miles long and about one mile wide in most areas. With 80 percent of the island undeveloped public parkland, there is plenty of room for exploring on foot or on a bike. 

The U.S. National Park Service has a downloadable map for cyclists at Fire Island.

  

Ocean Beach is a good starting point; you’ll have access to the lovely little town of Seaview, and can continue on through Ocean Bay Park up until the gated community Point O’Woods. This route is not terribly long, but offers a memorable view of Fire Island. Stray off the path down any sidewalk leading toward the water and the atmosphere changes in an instant, from bustling scene to soothing ocean.  

Recommended route: Seaview sits between Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park, making it a bike-friendly destination from multiple Fire Island towns. The village is quaint, quiet and residential, but has its share of eye candy: a mix of swanky modern homes and traditional cottages. There are only a few businesses here, and a lifeguard-protected beach where you can stop for a quick dip midway through your ride.  

Whatever route you choose, however, don't worry about getting lost - it's pretty hard to do on Fire Island. Just make sure to be safe, pack lots of sunblock and water, and have fun!