Block Island Bike and Car Rental Introduce
For residents and visitors of Rhode Island looking to explore the beautiful, scenic expanse of Block Island—formally known as the town of New Shoreham—reliable local transportation is a must. While many enjoy walking the quaint streets near the ferry landing, a vehicle is often necessary to truly discover the island's lighthouses, bluffs, and remote beaches. This is where Block Island Bike and Car Rental steps in, offering a vital service that provides the freedom to roam without the logistical and financial headache of bringing a personal vehicle across on the ferry.
Located conveniently on the island, this rental agency offers a dual solution for island transport: rental cars for comfortable group or long-distance travel, and bikes for those who prefer a more intimate, active experience of the island’s charm. They are one of the key local businesses that facilitate easy movement around the island, especially critical during the peak summer months when demand for rentals surges.
Block Island is famous for its natural beauty, and while it is small, covering all the points of interest—from the North Lighthouse to the Mohegan Bluffs—requires more than just walking from the Old Harbor area. Renting a car or bike locally offers a cost-effective and convenient alternative to the high cost and advance reservation requirements of ferrying a private vehicle over from the mainland.
The agency’s fleet is structured to meet the varied demands of island visitors, including families and groups who require more space and comfort. While customer experiences, as with any high-volume rental service, can sometimes vary—ranging from highly positive accounts praising friendly and professional service to negative reports citing minor operational issues like fuel levels—the core offering of essential island mobility remains a crucial service to the Rhode Island tourism sector. Reservations, particularly for car rentals, are highly recommended during the busy spring and summer seasons to ensure vehicle availability.
As a local operation, Block Island Bike and Car Rental has adapted to the specific needs of the island environment, offering older, yet well-maintained, models of cars that are suited to the narrow, winding roads and the general laid-back pace of island life. They understand that their service is often the critical link between a ferry arrival and a memorable Block Island stay.
The Block Island Bike and Car Rental agency holds a strategic location on Block Island, making it accessible for visitors arriving by both ferry and private boat into New Harbor.
Address and Proximity:
The rental counter is situated at:834 Ocean Ave, New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA
This location is positioned near the marinas at New Harbor and just before the junction of West Side Road, a key route for exploring the island. While not immediately adjacent to the Old Harbor ferry terminal, the proximity to New Harbor makes it highly convenient for those arriving at that area or those staying at nearby lodgings. The agency has been known to offer pickup and delivery services from the Old Harbor ferries, a crucial convenience that helps bridge the gap for customers arriving in the main town area.
Commitment to Accessibility:
The business is mindful of customer needs regarding physical access. While the nature of an island rental shop may limit extensive facilities, the premises feature a necessary accommodation to assist visitors:
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
This feature is essential for ensuring that customers with mobility needs have dedicated, accessible space when utilizing the car rental service.
Block Island Bike and Car Rental offers a range of services tailored to meet the diverse transportation needs of island visitors, from day-trippers to long-term renters. The core offerings are centered around providing mobility solutions across New Shoreham:
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: A selection of cars is available for rental, including various Sedans, Hatchbacks, SUVs, and Minivans (such as Dodge Minivans), ensuring options are available for solo travelers, couples, and large families or groups. They are known for having older model cars, which allows them to offer reasonable rates.
- Bicycle Rentals: For those seeking a more eco-friendly or traditional Block Island experience, the company provides Trek hybrid road bikes for adults, which typically include a helmet and a lock. However, availability of bike rentals can sometimes be temporary, so it is always recommended to call ahead.
- Flexible Rental Durations: The agency accommodates various visit lengths, offering same-day, 24-hour, and weekly rental arrangements to suit everything from quick excursions to extended stays.
- Ferry Pickup and Delivery: Recognizing the island’s unique transportation challenges, the agency can often arrange pickup and delivery services from the Old Harbor ferries, significantly simplifying the logistics for newly arrived guests.
- Flexible Payment Methods: To ensure a smooth transaction process, the rental agency accepts a modern array of payment options:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Insurance Requirement: Customers are responsible for providing their own vehicle insurance, either through a personal policy or coverage supplied by their major credit card, as is common practice in many rental environments.
Choosing a local service like Block Island Bike and Car Rental provides specific advantages over alternative island transportation options:
- Essential Island Mobility: The agency offers an invaluable service by providing a car rental alternative to the costly and complicated process of transporting a personal vehicle across Block Island Sound via the traditional ferry.
- Group and Family Travel Focus: The availability of Minivans and SUVs like Subaru Outbacks and Foresters is a significant feature, providing the necessary space and comfort for families, especially those traveling with luggage or visiting with small children.
- Dual Transport Options: The combination of both car and bike rentals allows customers to tailor their transportation perfectly to their day’s itinerary, using a car for long-distance sightseeing and a bike for quick, local excursions near town.
- Competitive Local Rates: By utilizing a fleet that often includes older model, but reliable, vehicles, the agency is able to offer attractive, reasonable rates for on-island transportation, a major draw for budget-conscious Rhode Island travelers.
- Modern Transaction Convenience: The acceptance of modern NFC mobile payments, in addition to credit and debit cards, streamlines the checkout process and provides a convenient, secure option for customers.
- Local Customer Service: Based on varied customer feedback, there is a clear potential to experience professional, kind, and stress-free service from helpful staff who are invested in making a customer's visit a positive one.
To ensure a smooth arrival on Block Island, Rhode Island, and to make necessary reservations, customers can use the following contact information:
Address:834 Ocean Ave,New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA
Phone Number:(401) 466-2297
Mobile Phone:+1 401-466-2297
For any Rhode Island resident or visitor planning a trip to Block Island, choosing Block Island Bike and Car Rental is a decision worth making, primarily because of its **practicality as a local transportation hub**. The single greatest benefit is the ability to bypass the enormous expense and logistical challenge of bringing a personal car onto the island ferry, a process that requires early reservations and significantly increases the overall cost of the trip.
This agency provides the essential **flexibility** needed for a comprehensive island tour. The availability of vehicles like SUVs and minivans makes it possible for families or groups to comfortably carry beach gear, picnic supplies, or luggage, allowing for exploration of the entire island, including the less-trafficked areas. While taxis are an option, they can be costly for multiple long trips, and a rental car offers complete autonomy.
However, it is vital for local users to plan ahead and manage expectations based on the nature of the service. As with many small, high-volume island operations, booking well in advance is non-negotiable, particularly for cars in the summer. Users should also be prepared for a range of customer service experiences—the reports of professional, kind staff suggest that a positive interaction is highly possible and likely related to specific staffing during a given rental period. Furthermore, as some customers have reported, it is prudent practice to **always verify the fuel level and vehicle condition** before driving off, a good tip for any car rental in any location, but particularly important in a small island setting where quick resolution may be challenging.
Ultimately, this company is the right choice for the Rhode Island traveler seeking **maximum freedom and comfort** on Block Island without the ferry hassle. By combining car rental with the option for bike rental and accepting convenient NFC payments, Block Island Bike and Car Rental serves as the most efficient and practical gateway to experiencing everything New Shoreham has to offer.
Block Island Bike and Car Rental Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Block Island Bike and Car Rental Photos




Block Island Bike and Car Rental Location
Block Island Bike and Car Rental
834 Ocean Ave, New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA
Block Island Bike and Car Rental Reviews
ferryphone
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1They are rude and unprofessional. They gave our family a car with no gas. We drove off with car not noticing and had to call three different phone numbers. When they finally picked up, the lady was telling us to drive back. We had asked for a refund for the hour we lost during this time and she said no. When we drove back they didn’t have a car with more than 1/4 of gas. But we got charge 150 for 3 hours of rental. Not worth it! Bring your own car into the ferry. It will save you time and the headache. Unfriendly service.
October 15 · lizclarianeWe rented a dodge minivan from hereWe were very impressed by the level of service we received from the two young ladies working here. They were very professional, kind, and made our visit remarkable and stress free. I highly recommend this company and will definitely rent from them again.
September 13 · Jadachris RWe rented a car for a day trip to Block Island. Reservation was easy over the phone. Laurie is a very nice lady. She called me second time to upgrade me to a newer nicer Ford Edge SUV for $85 a day. They are located in the New Habor but will pick up and drop off at the Ferry - Visitor's Center. The gentleman who was working yesterday Danny is also super duper nice. A very smooth transaction and top notch day on the island.
July 13 · Fin LiCalled ahead weeks in advanced and set a reservation. They agreed to meet us at a location. When the time came they did not show up and it was only upon calling them that they said the only vehicle they had did not have enough seats.The car we were suppose to have went into the shop and there was no communication with us. Their only recommendation was to go to another car rental place. We went to one right off the ferry and they had a bigger vehicle for cheaper than our reservation.I assume they are great when nothing goes wrong but they have no operating procedures for if anything goes wrong. Communicating to the customer that what they planned their trip around is no longer available seems to me to be an important step in any business.
June 20 · Jacob FrostCalled in advance to make sure they were open for the season and was assured all good. Came by the following morning to rent 7 bikes and shop was shut no answer on the phone. Will save the trouble next time and walk the extra half mile to the next place to rent from.
May 21 · Colin Horton
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