NOTHING IN LIFE is free. How often have you heard or read that adage? I expect often enough to recognize that statement mostly always rings true.
But in the southeastern Minnesota community of Pine Island, located along busy US Highway 52 some 10 minutes north of Rochester, there is, indeed, something offered for free. And that’s the use of a bicycle to ride the Douglas State Trail.
When I recently photographed the Borrow-A-Bike signs posted on a lovely aged brick building by Pine Island Trailhead City Park, I assumed the bikes were available for rent, because, you know, nothing is free. Turns out I was wrong.
Since 2009, the city has offered locals and visitors free usage of a fleet of bikes to ride the 12.5-mile paved recreational trail between Pine Island and northwest Rochester. The 70 donated, restored and maintained bikes are available in all sizes and even include some tandem bikes. Note that kids need signed authorization by a parent or guardian to borrow a bike and adults must register, sign a waiver, and grab a helmet before checking out a bike.
Bikes are available from 10 am – 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays, May – October, or by appointment weekdays.
What a great idea to not only draw visitors to Pine Island, but also to encourage people to get outdoors, exercise and explore rural Minnesota.
The trail follows an abandoned railroad line past wooded areas, open countryside and along the Zumbro River with a half-way stopping point in the unincorporated community of Douglas in Olmsted County. Next trip to the area, I need to find Douglas.
This Borrow-A-Bike program is especially needed now with ever-rising gas prices and out-of-control inflation. Couples and families are seeking low-cost ways to enjoy time together and this offers that. Not everyone owns a bike. Not everyone can transport a bike/bikes. This program makes biking easy and accessible to all. Plus, it gets people outdoors and away from screens.
Nothing in life is free…until you find something that is—like Borrow-A-Bike in Pine Island.
FYI: Click here for more information about Borrow-A-Bike.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I absolutely love this!
Me, too.
What a great idea!
Yes, it is.
We like riding on the Douglas Trail, but didn’t know about this free bike deal. Great idea.
I figured you were familiar with the Douglas Trail.
What a wonderful community program!!! Sounds like a real win/win situation.
Absolutely. It’s good to see such wonderful programs in small town Minnesota.
What a wonderful idea! 👍
I hope you will check out the Douglas State Trail if you haven’t already done so.
Oh you were so close….next time shoot me a message and stop over. The Douglas trail is practically in our back yard and Rick has traveled to Douglas and back many times on his bike, if he feels the energy he may even go to Pine Island ( more so in his younger days)
Pine Island was a quick bathroom and stretch our legs stop on our way to Carley State Park to see the blue bells. Unfortunately, we never saw them as we didn’t know how to guy our state park pass on our phones. We didn’t realize the park was unstaffed. Such a disappointment. But we recovered and enjoyed our time in Plainview. I’ll post about that friendly small town soon.
Great idea. Thinking of all of the unused bikes in my garage.
We have an unused unicycle in our garage. It’s the one our son outgrew. Should I save it for my grandchildren?