The proof is in the pudding—or, in Barton Springs Bike Rental’s case, the pedaling.
When Mark Mitchell, the sole owner, opened the shop on Barton Springs Road in 2009, no other business in Austin was offering bicycle rentals for leisurely rides through Zilker Park or adventurous treks in the city’s greenbelts, he said.
“It turned out to be something Austin needed,” Mitchell said.
He said the business has experienced marked growth since its inception, drawn a slew of competitors and amassed a worldwide clientele in its seven years of operation—a period that has corresponded with a population boom in the city.
Austin’s population has grown 17.89 percent from 2010 to July 2015, according to the U.S. Census. Mitchell said he credits a large part of the growth of his business to Austin’s population surge.
Before Mitchell opened his shop, the only bicycle shops that offered rentals were geared toward a rent-to-own transaction. Now there are about 22 places in town where one can rent a bike for a day, he said.
In addition to renting bikes for up to 11 hours, customers can lease Barton Springs Bike Rental’s assortment of bicycles for longer terms—weeks or even months. Available bikes include beach cruisers, hybrids, road bikes and mountain bikes as well as tandem bicycles. Children’s bikes are also in stock.
Barton Springs Bike Rental owner Mark Mitchell’s dog Shorty is a fixture in the shop.[/caption]The most commonly ordered service is a daily rental of a beach cruiser or mountain bike, which cost about $22.50 and $34.50, respectively, in addition to a one-time $5 insurance fee.
The fee covers the business in case a customer has his or her rented bike stolen. The company’s van will bring customers a new bike in case of a theft and provides free roadside assistance for flat tires or other necessary repairs.
Patrons who rent from the shop on a consistent basis can get placed on the shop’s “frequent flier” list, which provides them with discounts on rentals. About 300 customers are frequent fliers, Mitchell said.
Barton Springs Bike Rental also offers bike tours, such as a pub crawl through the Rainey Street district. “Austin in a Nutshell” and “Peace, Love and Zilker” round out the tours.
