Seeing the Gateway Arch up close — or even ascending to the top of it — is thrilling, but once you’ve done that, you might be looking for something else fun to do while you’re in downtown St. Louis.

Starting this week, there is an additional fun thing you can do: rent a bike from Big Muddy Adventures (BMA).

Debuting September 17, BMA will be renting bikes from a stand located on Leonore K. Sullivan Boulevard near the Grand Staircase at the foot of the Arch. (So basically, a few steps east of the Arch.)

The stand will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, from September 17 through the end of October.

By all accounts, BMA couldn’t be more pumped about this new venture.

“Big Muddy Adventures is super excited to be offering bike rentals at the Gateway Arch,” says Natalie Rolwes, BMA’s director of communications. “Our mission has always been to connect people with the incredible assets of the region, and this new bike stand makes it easier for residents and visitors to experience the beauty of downtown St. Louis and the surrounding trails of Gateway Arch National Park.”

The bikes on offer are brand-new Trek gravel bikes, ranging in size from adult extra small to adult large. The rugged two-wheelers are all manual bikes, although BMA says they may expand to e-bikes in the future.

The cost is $15 per hour, and that includes a helmet.

(Reiss Wegman)

Where might you go on one of these rentals? Wherever you want – but some potential exploration spots include the Gateway Arch National Park, Kiener Plaza, Ballpark Village, and the new bike path on 7th Street connecting Busch Stadium to The Dome at America’s Center.

If you have more time (and money), you might try the 12-mile Riverfront Trail, which takes you all the way to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, where you can even cross over into Illinois.

Renting bikes is nothing new for BMA. Although they’re also a paddling company that offers guided canoe trips on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, they’ve been renting bicycles at The Boathouse at Forest Park for the past five years.

The company views this new bike-rental location as a natural extension of its brand.

“For over two decades, we’ve been trusted guides to the region’s waterways and outdoor assets, building a reputation for safety, expertise, and a spirit of adventure,” says Rolwes.

“Our team knows the landscape better than anyone, and we’re committed to making outdoor exploration accessible for all, whether that’s paddling in a canoe or hopping on a bike right here at the Gateway Arch.”

Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain.

Top image: The new Big Muddy Adventures bike rental stand at the Arch. (Reiss Wegman)