Starting this Friday, Governors Island will be home to New York City's first sustained bike share program. Every Friday from today through Oct. 4, Governors Island visitors can rent adult and children's bikes at no charge, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) announced Thursday.

"Biking is a fantastic way to explore Governors Island," said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "We are thrilled to have free biking this summer and we are committed to expanding opportunities for biking as part of our future park and Great Promenade."

Governors Island was first opened for biking in 2007, and cycling has quickly become one of the island's most popular activities. The island offers more than 1 mile of car free biking with spectacular views of the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty.

Visitors are invited to bring their own bikes to the Island, or they can rent bikes from Bike and Roll once they arrive. On Fridays, adult and children's bikes are free. On Saturdays and Sundays, adult and children's bikes can be rented for five dollars for 30 minutes. Bike and Roll will also rent four-person bike surreys, children's bike trailers, wagons and other bike accessories.

"Free bikes are a wonderful opportunity for everyone, especially children and families, to see Governors Island in an entirely new way," said Avi Schick, chairman of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "I hope that many visitors come out to the Island to experience this great activity in such a unique setting."

"Transportation Alternatives is thrilled to sponsor Free Bikes every Friday this summer so even more New Yorkers bike in a car-free environment," said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. "It is our hope that thousands more New Yorkers will enjoy cycling because of their access to bicycles through this free program."

Bike share programs, which make public bicycles available for rent at little or no cost, are popular around the world and have had success in Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona and other cities. Two of the better known examples are the Vélib program in Paris and the white bikes of HogueVeluwe Park in the Netherlands.

"Spaces like Governors Island serve as great training areas for the next generation of New York City cyclists," said City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "This summer, the island will also serve as a great testing ground -- we'll be evaluating the bike share program to see if it is something that may be successful in other parts of the city."

"Car-free Governors Island is a perfect place for bicycling," said Rob Pirani, executive director of the Governors Island Alliance. "We are so pleased that Transportation Alternatives is sponsoring this incredible opportunity for visitors."

The concept of a public bike program on Governors Island was explored in the winning competition entry to design the future park and Great Promenade on the Island. West 8, an acclaimed firm based in Rotterdam, led a team of architects and landscape architects who were chosen to design these new open spaces.

Their design vision is one where free bikes are accessible to everyone on Governors Island. The bikes would be made available to all visitors to explore the landscape, get around the Island, and have fun.