Free Biki Social Rides Offer Fun, Exercise to People 50 and Older

AARP is partnering with Bikeshare Hawaii to offer fun, free and healthy Biki Social Rides aimed at people 50 and older during September and October. The first rides take place on Saturday, September 1 at the Lei of Parks Family Day which will link Ala Moana, Kewalo Basin and Kakaako parks with walking and biking paths.

The social rides begin at Biki Stop 224 at the Atkinson Boulevard entrance to Ala Moana Park at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The two-hour social ride includes an orientation on how to use the Biki bike service, a safety briefing and helmet fitting, lunch, and a Biki bicycle ride through all three parks.

“The Biki Social Rides are fun, healthy and a chance for people to meet new friends,” said Lori McCarney, Bikeshare Hawaii CEO. “Participants will learn how to use the Biki bikeshare service, bicycle safety and etiquette, and they’ll get a free Free Spirit plan, which offers 300 minutes to use however and whenever they want.”

Participants will go out in groups of ten leaving at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on September 1. Eight other rides are scheduled on various Wednesdays and Saturdays meeting at 9 a.m. at the Ala Moana Biki Stop 224 through November 3. The rides are free but pre-registration is a must. To learn more go online to https://gobiki.org/biki-leaks/aarp-social-rides/. You can register for rides at aarp.cvent.com/bikiride9-1 or by calling 1-877-926-8300.

AARP’s Livable Communities initiative is sponsoring the Biki Social Rides with a Community Challenge Grant to encourage people 50 and older to enjoy the outdoor activities that make Honolulu a livable and age-friendly city. A separate Community Challenge Grant also supports the Lei of Parks Family Day.

“Being able to enjoy the outdoors and our parks is a great benefit to living in Honolulu and it’s part of what makes Honolulu an age friendly and livable community,” said Barbara Kim Stanton. “The Biki Social Rides are a great opportunity for older residents to learn about bicycling and the bikeshare program.

”The rides will be led by members of the Hawaii Bicycling League, whose mission is to enable more people to ride bicycles for health, recreation and transportation through advocacy, education and events.

Please sign up for a confirmed space with only one Biki Social Ride group. You’ll also need a credit card to set up a Free Spirit account. You won’t be charged for the first five hours of Biki use.

Helmets are required. If you don’t have a bicycle helmet, let us know at signup and one will be provided for you. You must know how to ride a bicycle. If you don’t know how to ride, the Hawaii Bicycling League offers free Adult Learn to Ride Workshops where adults, at any age, can get rolling safely with no prior bike experience.

Lunch will be provided by the Blue Zones Project, a well-being initiative with the goal to make healthy choices easier in the places we live, work and play.

Biki Social Rides are also scheduled for: Wednesday, September12; Wednesday, September 19;^, Saturday, September 22; Wednesday, September 26; Wednesday, October 3; Wednesday, October 10; Saturday, October 13; and Saturday, November 3.