The answer is... by BICYCLE!

We hope you are coming here to relax and take it easy a little bit, and a bicycle will have you enjoying the island just like a local.

So why rent a bike?

A bicycle helps you consider a wider range of accommodations by making the island smaller and easier to get around. All of a sudden, you don't have to stay 2 blocks from Sloppy Joe's Bar and that condo offering you the true beach vacation at Smather's Beach is not too far from the nightlife to consider, because a taxi with a bike rack can get you home at bar time!

A bicycle makes sure that you don't restrict yourself to enjoying only the part of our tiny island you can easily walk to.

Unless you have physical limitations, aging relatives who are not sufficiently ambulatory, or very young children, a bike will be your key to discovering our whole island, not just Duval Street.

The question to ask yourself is not "Could you walk everywhere", but rather, "Will you walk everywhere"? Will you walk to "The Meadows" to explore this quiet tropical neighborhood and unique homes? With no commercial or tourism reason to go there, you might not walk the 10 blocks out of your way... but on a bike?... Well, on a bike you are likely to end up there anyway, without trying, never mind if you decide to actually plan to see the Meadows neighborhood.

A bike saves you money, not only on rental cars, but also on the cost of accommodations as well. With a bike, you can consider the more affordable units without the high price tag due to the so called "ideal location", and spend more money on activities. Besides, contrary to the "conventional wisdom" you may have heard, you will likely have a better time if you stay further from the "party zone" anyway!

Will you rent a bike?

• Bicycle Rentals
  
  * Island Bicycles - 305-292-9707.
  
  Aaron (the owner) is the best bike craftsman in town and offers free delivery to your door. You can rent a "beach-cruiser" for your whole family for a lot less than carrying the expense of that rental car you will park and rarely use. So rent a car "one way" to our island, and have one reserved "one way" for the drive back to the mainland, then rent a bike while you are here and enjoy our tiny island like a local. Most locals don't even own a car. You likely will not need one either on our 15 block wide island. All bikes are equipped with a basket, light, and locks. Since Aaron is a family man with three young kids, you will find bike helmets, child seats & safety equipment are also available
  
  Again, Taxis here have bike racks on them, so if you end up too tired from swimming with Dolphins, or maybe you ate too much, or perhaps you intend to drink too much to safely ride home. Bikes are better than mopeds because you can put them on the back of a taxi-cab and be safely home, without re-arranging your teeth, usually for less than 5 bucks!

  
  

• Moped & Scooter Rentals
  
  Think about it... Old Town is totally flat and just 15 blocks wide. Do you really have the need for speed?

  We don't recommend moped or scooter rentals because we know all too well through personal experience how dangerous they are. Even an experienced rider like myself has been on the ground twice. Once I was brushed aside by a car and ended up with the moped on top of me (I still have the scar to prove it), and the other time was my fault. I made a simple error and landed on my head (no, I wasn't drinking)... I rang my bell so hard that I consider myself lucky that the yolk didn't run out of my head!
  
  It can be quite dangerous to ride a scooter in a tourist-filled town, usually without a helmet (or much clothing in many cases). People don't seem to respect the Moped & Scooter riders, and I hate hearing about how somebody I found accommodations for had their relative end up in the hospital while on their vacation due to an accident on a moped.

  Rent a bike, they're much safer, much more affordable and they even fit on a Taxi's bike rack!

• Public Transportation
  Key West has four lines of buses that cover the whole island. For fare & route information, please call 293-6435 or 292-8160.

• Monarch Custom Carts
  Small electric carts built to resemble classic automobiles ranging from antiques to Jeeps to 57 Chevys. Carts can travel anywhere on the island of Key West except heavily trafficked North Roosevelt Boulevard. Company offers transport to and from your accommodations.

  Carts are available in two-, four- and six-passenger models, with costs beginning at $95 for a two-seater rental of up to three hours and $125 for a four-seater. Rental periods of up to several days can be arranged.

  Renters must be at least 22 years old and have a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. For more information or to book a cart, call 305-292-2229.

• Taxicabs
  To further encourage you to leave the car at home, our island has plenty of taxis to serve you. Call 296-6666 for Five Sixes Cab Co. (to ride a yellow cab!), or 295-5555 for Friendly Cab Co. (to ride a pink cab!)