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Contact: Maureen Oltrogge, 928-638-7779 Contact: Molly Schroer, 928-638-7707
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin today announced the issuance of a commercial use authorization (CUA) for bicycle rental operations located at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the park’s South Rim. The National Park Service underwent an open and competitive process soliciting applications and received several competitive applications for the opportunity from qualified companies. After an extensive evaluation process, the National Park Service selected Bright Angel Bicycles, L.L.C. as the permittee. Under the CUA, Bright Angel Bicycles will rent a variety of bicycles to the public from a location at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Beginning May 1, 2010 and continuing into the fall, Bright Angel Bicycles will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Visitors will be able to ride on portions of the park’s multi-use greenway trail system open to bicycles, on all park roads open to public vehicular traffic and on park roads open only to shuttle bus traffic, including the Hermit Road and the Yaki Point Road. Visitors will have the opportunity to ride rented bicycles on self guided tours directly from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center location or utilize the park’s shuttle bus system, which can accommodate up to three bicycles per bus. Bright Angel Bicycles plans to offer transportation from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to locations along the Hermit Road allowing visitors easy access to ride bicycles along the historic road, including the portion of greenway along the rim from Monument Creek Vista to Hermits Rest. Bright Angel Bicycles also plans to offer guided tours. “Biking is an excellent way for visitors to experience Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. The bike friendly infrastructure along the newly reconstructed Hermit Road and associated greenway offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Grand Canyon by bicycle in an area that is free of private vehicle traffic. We look forward to working with Bright Angel Bicycles to provide this exciting new visitor service,” Superintendent Steve Martin stated. The current CUA for bicycle rental operations will have a term of one year with an option to be extended for a second year. The National Park Service will utilize data collected from both the permittee and visitors during the term of this CUA to determine how bicycle rental operations in the park will be managed in the future. The addition of a visitor bicycle rental operation on Grand Canyon’s South Rim was envisioned by the park’s 1995 General Management Plan and was included as part of the park’s 2008 South Rim Transportation Plan. The National Park Service prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the South Rim Transportation Plan and a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed May 27, 2008. For more information on the plan please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/trans.htm. For questions or information regarding Bright Angel Bicycles’ rental operation at Grand Canyon National Park, including rates and reservations, please contact Bright Angel Bicycles at 928-814-8704 or visit their webpage at www.bikegrandcanyon.com. For additional information visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grca or contact Molly Schroer, Concessions Specialist at 928-638-7707 or Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer at 928-638-7779. -NPS-
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Last updated: February 24, 2015