Keep Tourists on 2-Wheelers: Bike Friendly Alternatives for Seeing the City

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D.C.'S BECOME MORE than the nation's capital. It's a bike capital, too. And area hotels are helping your out-of-town guests saddle up to see the city. The Park Hyatt Washington (24th and M streets NW; 202-789-1234; Parkwashington.hyatt.com) began offering complimentary wheels to guests a couple months ago. Just sign up a week in advance and a hybrid cycle is yours to use for four hours. Helmets, a lock, water and a map of area cycling trails are also provided for free.

Across the Potomac in Old Town Alexandria, the Hotel Monaco (480 King St.; 703-549-6080; Monaco-alexandria.com) and the Lorien Hotel and Spa (1600 King St.; 703-894-3434; Lorienhotelandspa.com) also offer bikes for guests. The Monaco's 15 rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lorien's cruisers come as part of an all-inclusive package available through Aug. 31. A $199 room rate includes a bike map, gourmet picnic lunch, tickets to Mount Vernon and a Potomac River cruise. The only requirement: Make reservations 24 hours in advance.

And if you're headed out of town and looking for wheels wherever you roam, don't forget about the new site Rentabikenow.com. Enter your destination's ZIP code and it'll help you reserve your choice of bike from a nearby shop. The service, unfortunately, isn't so hot for D.C. — there's just one option within city limits.

Photo courtesy Park Hyatt