Cycle and Scooter Rental

Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 11

I would like to rent 2 bikes for the week.. would need to figure out what to do with them at the courtyard marriot.. lock them up ? bring them up to room ? IS it safe to ride bikes on the streets ? or is it very congested and easy to get smacked by cars ?

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject:

mhayek - I just want to caution you that there are no bicycle lanes in Grand Cayman and many areas do not even have sidewalks. Courtyard Marriott is at least a couple of miles away from anything you would want to bicycle to, most of which is through the most congested part of Seven Mile Beach. Personally, I would not bicycle along Seven Mile Beach but there are plenty of people who do. I don't want to cause you any fear but I do want you to be extremely careful if you do decide to rent bicycles and ride them along Seven Mile Beach.

Banned Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 183

Ditto! Listen to Joe, & I'd add a big endorsement to his recommendation! While Grand Cayman is a very safe place to vacation, the traffic along SMB very heavy during the daytime hours and very fast after dark! We always stay in the central (and busiest area) & do walk during the day, but would never walk where there are not sidewalks after dark...using a bike just not something we would do there.

Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 11

wow, i wonder why you would nmot bicycle there ? Do you bike regularly at home ? I bike on 2 lane roads at home with heavy traffic, and it doesnt bother me.

Of course, we do have signs that say "Share the road with bikes"

Is it due to in-attentive drivers, some are drunk ?

or is it lack of space on the road ?

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark,

Many factors could be involved, the inattentive drivers you mentioned, narrow roads, heavy traffic and since it is a vacation island there may be some liquor involved.... also keep in mind that the majority of the visitor divers are used to driving on the right side of the road. In Cayman they are now driving on the left. Their focus to concentrate on that task may hinder their focus on other things like bicycles. Your riding skills would have to be adapted as well.... I have seen many people who are just walking look to their left, see that it's clear, and then step out in front of cars coming at them from the right!!

Jack

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 2034 Location: Illinois

Captain Jack wrote:

Hi Mark,

Many factors could be involved, the inattentive drivers you mentioned, narrow roads, heavy traffic and since it is a vacation island there may be some liquor involved.... also keep in mind that the majority of the visitor divers are used to driving on the right side of the road. In Cayman they are now driving on the left. Their focus to concentrate on that task may hinder their focus on other things like bicycles. Your riding skills would have to be adapted as well.... I have seen many people who are just walking look to their left, see that it's clear, and then step out in front of cars coming at them from the right!!

Jack

I definitely agree with Captain Jack. Driving a car really takes a bunch of concentration especially in the crowded areas. My son sometimes threatens that he is going to rent a scooter, but there is no way I would let him, (even though he's a grown up) --there is just too much going on. Lots of people darting in and out of driveways and not sure which lane to turn into. I'm a very cautious person, but think I'm just being sensible about this

Shelly :-)

Banned Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 183

last week saw a mid 20's gal in tears as she tried to manage a motor bike along the busy SMB stretch...and she wasn't even at the point where the traffic goes really fast and road is most congested and narrow!

Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

Where can I rent a bicycle? Is this a good way to see the island? I do a lot of cycling where I live.

Newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 16

Steve,

The CAG does not recommend the use of bikes on the island, considering it unsafe due to the heavy traffic and congestion. However I think, and I certainly don't know for sure, that they are referring to the Western part of the island and SMB area. We are arriving TOMORROW Jump

for our first vacation on the island and staying on the Northside and plan to bike on that part of the island most mornings. You can easily find places to rent bikes by searching the internet. If you are renting for a day or two it should work, however the weekly rates were too high and we have made arrangements to purchase our bikes because it was less expensive and we're going to leave them at a church on the out.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

kibrothe,

Have a wonderful trip! Take lots of pictures (you know the drill... Wink

).

Seriously, I hope you have a wonderful vacation and that you will fall in love with the Caymans same as the rest of us have.

Since you are a first time visitor, I think you might really enjoy a stop at St. Pedro's Castle. The multi-media show that they have there is really quite amazing and you'll learn a lot about the history of the island....

OK....I didn't mean to hijack this thread. Sorry! Just wanted to wish you a wonderful and safe trip!

Char

Frequent Flyer Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 57

We stayed at spanish Bay and they had bikes for guests use free of charge...and it is hectic riding in the traffic.....we stayed pretty much on the west end..only riding in a far as cemetery reef. But i do have to say the drivers were very courteous and gave way to us whenever they had the room.

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

I was considering doing the 2-hour Cayman hog riders tour? Does anyone have any experience with them? Thanks, Nancy

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:

Hi motochick218

We do not recommend renting any 2-wheeled vehicles, tour or otherwise.

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Hi Joe, do you feel Cayman is more congested than other islands, i.e., Bermuda?? I live in NJ and there is nothing more crazy than riding my motorcycle in this area! I've been riding for 35 years and thought maybe doing a tour with another 5-8 bikers would be ok but if you think otherwise, I really value your opinion. Thanks again

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

Thank you motochick218. Very Happy

Please see my comments in this topic

No matter how safe and conscientious you or anyone may be, the roads here can become extremely congested in many places and the driving abilities of some of the residents here leave much to be desired. Two wheeled vehicles are easily missed in rear and side view mirrors and they offer no collision protection except a helmet. A friend of mine who is probably one of the most safe and conservative drivers I know bought a scooter a while back and it only took him a few months to wind up in the hospital. Fortunately he did not suffer any permanent injuries except for a few scars but he was extremely lucky.

Simply stated, I just do not want it on my conscious after the two previous incidents and until such time as we are provided with bicycle lanes or at least sidewalks in some areas, I will not promote, endorse, recommend or in any way facilitate the rental of two wheeled vehicles.

You can rent a car from Andy?s or Economy and receive a generous discount for being an Activity Guide member. Cars are not only safer and more practical; they are also less expensive.

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