Some of the bike shops in the area really know how to take care of Burners. Some sell used bikes, some only new bikes. Some offer rentals, repair services, or storage, and some accept donations post-event!
Starting this year (2020), theme camps that offer fee-based bike rentals will not be permitted to provide any rental services on playa. These camps will need to coordinate and complete all bike rentals, pick-ups, and drop-offs outside of Black Rock City.
Over the last decade, three bike repair camps (Playa Bike Repair, Hammer and Cyclery, and Soup Kitchen/Art Bike Relief) began renting bikes off-playa and delivering them to Burners on-playa. Many participants have come to depend on the convenience of renting bikes that are delivered in Black Rock City. We recognize that these camps provided a valuable alternative to disposing of a newly purchased bike if unable to transport it all the way home.
There are a number of areas we are in the process of evaluating and taking action to correct, including increased reliance on the Outside Services program. Many of these activities challenge our Principles of Radical Self-reliance and Decommodification, so as we continue our Cultural Course Correcting and Cultural Direction Setting efforts, we are actively working to limit paid conveniences in Black Rock City. This work is ongoing.
Bike rentals have been and will continue to be available in Reno and Nixon, and we recommend that participants who previously took advantage of on-playa pickup explore these alternatives. We also strongly stand by our Leaving No Trace Principle and expect that every participant who brings a bike into Black Rock City will take that bike home with them or donate it to one of these approved locations.
Reno Bike Project
216 East Grove Street | (775) 323-4488
Reno Bike Project (RBP) sells recycled bikes intended for the playa starting at $65. These recycled and reused bikes have at least one gear, one brake, and tight bearing surfaces. RBP also offers a full range of accessories and services, including last minute repairs for people rolling through Reno and bike assembly for people who want to ship their bike to Reno. You can reserve your playa bike online, and they accept bike donations post-event at their shop. RBP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community bicycle shop and resource for the Truckee Meadows area committed to creating a nationally recognized, cycling-friendly community through education, cooperation and advocacy. Sales from Burning Man bikes support programs such as the community bike shop, youth riding and programs, and more. More info: http://www.renobikeproject.com.
Black Rock Bicycles
7875 North Virginia Street, Reno NV
Operated by Burners, Black Rock Bicycles has bikes for rent and purchase. They also have accessories, including lighting, el-wire kits, baskets, car racks, bells, locks, baskets, trailers, tubes and decor. Black Rock Bicycles has started a new program that will allow you to store your bike in an enclosed storage area for an entire year. You can buy a new bike from them, art it up, personalize it, ride it during the Burn, return it, have it cleaned and put in their storage. See http://www.blackrockbicycles.com/ for info, reservations and contact info.
Kiwanis Bike Program
5305 Mill Street, Reno NV
Our friends at the Kiwanis Bike Program sell affordable used bicycles starting at $60 and accessories, including lights, el-wire kits, baskets, car racks, locks, seat covers, and bells. You can reserve your bike online. They also have a limited selection of $60 burner bikes available for walk-in purchase at their Reno location. These are first come, first serve, as long as supplies last. You can also donate your bike to them post-event at 3 convenient locations:
- The Kiwanis Reno Shop: 5305 Mill Street, Reno NV
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport: 2001 E Plumb Ln, Reno NV
- Reno Wholefoods: 6139 S Virginia St, Reno NV
If you return your bike to Kiwanis, they’ll refurbish and reuse it for kids or reuse it for Burning Man next year! All funds support bike repairs, bike donation and bicycling education for kids in the Reno area. Purchase and reserve a bike now while supplies last. For more information, visit https://www.kiwanisbikes.org/burning-man.html. Email questions to kiwanis_bikes@sbcglobal.net.
Burner Bikes LLC
400 Main St, Gerlach NV
Just 8 miles from the Burning Man site, Ralph and Barrie are renting very affordable ($70.00 including sales tax) used cruisers in good condition again this year. You can reserve a bike and coordinate with them now for a pick-up time in Gerlach on your way to the playa. They also have bike baskets and locks available for sale, and you will be able to return your bike to them in Gerlach after Burning Man. You can also donate a playa bike to them post-event if it is a single speed cruisers with no gears & no hand brakes. Best to reserve one now while they last! To do so, and for further information, email them at burnerbikesllc@icloud.com.