2020 has brought changes to our world, and Yosemite Valley is no exception.
During the 2020 season, part of Yosemite’s response to the Coronovirus Pandemic is the temporary cancellation of the shuttle system. The main purpose in most years of the shuttle system is to provide transportation around the Yosemite Valley area without visitors using their own personal car to visit multiple points of interest during a day.
The Bike Share program in Yosemite started as a pilot program in 2018, but with no shuttles running in 2020, it’s more valuable than ever as an option to get between “here” and “there” without using a personal vehicle, while at the same time embarking on a fun and healthy activity with your companions.
30 bikes are available from the Village Day Use Parking Lot station (Camp 6) or from “the Mall” station (down the path from the Valley Visitor Center). In the past, the Bike Share was set up in the valley campgrounds but the program has been modified in 2020, since some campgrounds are closed.
Bikes can be used without fee for up to 2 hours and are unlocked using an phone app. Bikes are tracked by GPS and must be returned to one of the two stations.
Bike Share Attendants are sanitizing the bikes between use 7 days per week from 10am – 5pm. Outside of the staffed hours, visitors may still use the bikes by taking them from the “sanitized corral” and returning them to the “used corral”.
Yosemite managers commented, “As more people choose non-vehicle travel modes, congestion will decrease and make for a more enjoyable visitor experience.”
So, look for the Blue Bikes and take a spin! The Yosemite Bike Share is made possible through a grant from the Yosemite Conservancy .