WASHINGTON – Will Dennis didn’t want to buy a new bike when he was headed to New York City for the summer of 2011. And finding a long-term rental didn’t seem to be an option. That triggered an idea for a way to match travelers with bikes.
So, starting in April, he and his business partner Jeffrey Noh rolled out their business, Spinlister.
Here’s how it works: A bike owner lists his bike with Spinlister. A potential bike-renter scans the selection and looks for the right wheels.
Dennis says prices will vary.
“We have bikes that are kind of a modest cruiser that are on there for $5 or $10 a day,” he says.
But there are also glitzier models that can bring as much as $100 or more. Renters pay by credit card, while listers get paid by check or through Pay-Pal.
Dennis says it’s not just about the bikes. It’s about the social experience as well.
One young woman rented his blue bike, which Dennis dubbed a “Lady Killer.” In her testimonial on his website, she said also it has the reverse effect. She snagged a date while riding it.
For now, Spinlister only operates in New York City and San Francisco, but Dennis says expansion is a possibility, and D.C. is certainly a contender.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow Kate and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
