Faqs
The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed below, please feel free to contact us.
What if I, or someone in my group, doesn't know how to ride a bicycle?
Your girlfriend really wants to go on a bike tour. You want to impress her by taking her on the best bike tour in the city. Only you don't know how to ride a bicycle. Solution: Tell her your knee hurts and that you don't think you can pull it off.
If you don't know how to ride a bicycle, please don't book a bicycle tour! Taking a bike tour is not the best time to learn how to ride a bike. Our world class walking tours are a better alternative for you. If you show up to the tour and cannot ride a bike, you will not be reimbursed.
If you are booking for a large group please vet the participants to see if they really know how to ride a bicycle. Please don’t assume that they do. Our bike tours are for experienced riders only. Booking for someone who’s bikes skills are questionable can place that person in danger and make it an unpleasant experience for others on the tour.
How exactly does a bicycle tour work?
Each participant will ride his or her own bicycle. Our guide will lead you around the city, in a single-file line, while stopping at key points. We ride at a very leisurely pace so that you can take in the sights, sounds, and smells. There will be multiple stops on the route. Our guides doesn't share anything while riding. It is during our stops that we share the amazing stories that make New Orleans so magical.
Do your tour bicycles use coaster brakes?
No. Coaster brakes function when the cyclist pedals backward to stop the bike. We realize that most people haven't used coaster brakes on a bicycle since they were children. We understand that most people use hand brakes on their personal bikes. This attention to detail cost us more overhead and maintenance, but we believe that your safety and comfort are worth it.
What type of bicycle will I be riding?
You will ride with comfort, ease, and style on one of our beautiful Public bikes. These elegant single speed, Dutch style city-bikes with curved step-through frames are easy to ride. It's a time-tested classic metropolitan cruiser design, common throughout Europe for decades.
Unlike many other single-speed bikes, our single-speed Public Bikes allow you to coast and relax while riding, while also using powerful dual pivot brakes and alloy rims to ensure great stopping power, rain or shine. Built with a high-quality steel frame, they have matching fenders and chain guards.
The bikes’ geometry keeps comfort in mind, as you ride you will be able to sit upright and take in the sights without hunching over. They are also equipped with a bell and a basket to carry your belongings.
Are the bicycles easy to mount and dismount?
Yes. We use bicycles with step-through frames that make it easy to get on and off the bicycles. We’ll also adjust the height of your seat before the tour to make sure you fit on the bike comfortably.
Can I drink on the bicycle tour?
Operating a bicycle under the influence is dangerous and can result in death. In compliance with our insurance we cannot permit anyone who shows up intoxicated to be a participant. Those who arrive intoxicated will not get a refund.
Does the bike tour ride in city streets?
Yes. In order to cover lots of ground and see key sights, our bicycle tours have to travel along city streets. We ride in a single file line and respect the rules of the road. In accordance with the law, we stop at all traffic lights and stop signs. Lucky for us, New Orleans boasts over 100 miles of bicycle infrastructure, and we take advantage of bike lanes and paths as much as possible on the tour. In addition, there is a safety briefing before every tour to ensure that all participants are on the same page and make our tour safe and enjoyable.
Will we be riding fast?
No. We travel at a moderate pace so that you can take in the sights. You don’t need to be a world-class cyclist to keep up. Our tours are designed to be relaxing, not taxing.
What if I need to use the restroom on the bike tour?
All of our tours have a built-in restroom break. We normally stop at a coffee house on our bike tours so you can get a small treat along the way.
*Flambeaux does not provide refreshments at the rest stop. We do give every bicycle tour participant a bottle of water at the start of the tour. Please note that some New Orleans coffee houses are cash only others are card only!
If I'm the last bicycle in the caravan, will I be able to hear the guide?
Don't worry, you won’t miss a thing. We only share information at one of our regular stops on the tour. No information pertinent to the tour will be shared while riding. That way you can take in the architecture, sights, and colorful characters of the city while cycling.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Wearing a helmet is required by our insurance. While we do utilize bike lanes and off road bike paths on our tours, we will be cycling in an urban environment with car traffic.
Do you have bicycles with child carriers?
No. The youngest a person can be to go on one of our tours is 13 years old and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. All participants must be over 4'10" tall.
Is New Orleans a safe city to bicycle in?
Yes. New Orleans is 8th in the nation for bicycle commuting and has a silver medal from the League of American Bicyclist. Motorist in our city are very accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists.
Is your business involved in the New Orleans community?
Yes. We not only give 1% of our profits to Bike Easy's education, advocacy, and encouragement efforts; our staff members are actively involved in participating in Bike Easy's programs.
Is advanced booking required?
We cannot guarantee you a spot on our tours unless you book in advance. We have the best rates on quality small group tours in New Orleans so they tend to book up fast.
The easiest way to guarantee a spot is by booking online. You can do so by simply clicking on one of the buttons bellow. If there is availability you can book online up to an hour before the tour’s start time. You can also call us to make a reservation if you feel more comfortable talking to someone.
If you feel like your travel plans are unpredictable and you have a time slot that has opened during one of our tour times, please call before you come to assure that there is availability: 504.321.1505.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
Whether you’re in New Orleans for business travel or for vacation, plans are always subject to change. If you need to reschedule simply contact us at least 48 hours before your tour and we will see what's available. Rescheduling with a large group is a lot trickier, so please communicate with us as far in advance as possible. You can also cancel and be fully refunded if you cancel 48 hours before your tour. However, we cannot refund you if you cancel within 48 hours of your tour.
How many people are allowed on your tours?
This is what sets us apart and makes us one of the most quality tours in New Orleans. Tour companies in New Orleans are legally allowed to take up to 28 people on a single tour.
However, we limit our bicycle tours to a max of 10 participants, as opposed to the 28 person tours you will see in the French Quarter.
The only activity that we seek to have a lot of participants on is the New Orleans Nightlife Ride. The Nightlife Ride is a not a historical tour, it is a private group ride that seeks to produce a parade type atmosphere.
What if I have a group that's larger then 10 people?
For quality control our booking software only allows you to book the max of 10 participants. If you have a larger group call us and we are more than happy to accommodate your party.
Depending on the size of your party, to maintain quality, we will potentially have more than one guide on the tour and divide your party into as many groups that your party necessitates.
We can be reached at 504.321.1505
How long are the tours?
Our bicycle tours are 3 hours long.
The New Orleans Nightlife ride is 2 hours.
What if it rains?
Our tours roll rain or shine. Weather forecasts are very unreliable in New Orleans. In the event of rain, we provide rain ponchos to our guest on bicycle tours. We do encourage you to dress for the weather as best as possible. If we determine that the weather is too severe, you can either reschedule, or you will be refunded.
Are you located in the French Quarter?
Yes! We are located at 626 N. Rampart St.
* 2 and a half blocks from St. Louis Cemetery #1
Is this a chain/franchise?
No. This is our only location. We are a one-of-a-kind, New Orleans locally owned, small business.
Does your location have a parking lot?
No. French Quarter businesses have street parking. The closest paid parking is the Basin Street Parking Lot. They offer the best rates in the French Quarter area. It's conveniently located around the corner from our shop.
Are children permitted on your tours?
The youngest a person can be to go on one of our bicycle tours is 13 years old and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. All participants must be over 4'11" tall.
Do tour guides accept tips?
Of course! Tipping tour guides is customary and very appreciated.