This particular bike service is a new to me but Explore Bike Share came to Memphis in 2018 and…read moreapparently is taking the city by storm with a bike-sharing network sure to help  Memphians get their blood pumping and their heart rates up but for areas like this one here in Overton Square it's also simply a great way to get around. I have seen quite a few people pedaling around the area, alone & in groups, and I think that it's exactly what I'd be doing if I lived in this community. So you might ask, how can both visitors and residents make use of this bike network and their transit hubs? For those of you who have never used a bike-sharing network before, here's what to know about Explore Bike Share before taking your first cycling trip. What is bike sharing? A bike-sharing program is a service that involves bikes being stored in transit hubs across a city and made available to rent through the use of an app. Such programs give users the freedom associated with having a bike without the hassle of managing the upkeep. Although bike-sharing was conceived in Amsterdam in 1965, with free-use white bicycles left unchained throughout the city, it wasn't until 1995 that bikes were made available to rent through a coin-operated payment system. Similar programs soon followed suit and the practice has grown exponentially, with many bike-sharing programs owning over a thousand bikes per city. About Explore Bike Share Explore Bike Share is a bike-sharing network that has recently come to Memphis, setting up shop so Memphians from all walks of life can enjoy a little cycling to break up their daily routine. Whether you're a fitness junkie, a tourist, a commuter or anyone else interested in using a bike to get around, Explore Bike Share is waiting for you & is broken down into four easy steps on the company's website. Pay: Users can pay through the Explore Bike Share app on their phones, which makes the transaction quick and easy. Pick up: Users can pick up their bicycles at any of Memphis' 60 bicycle hubs. Pedal: Grab bike & enjoy your time on the bike! Put up: Just bring the bike back to any designated bike station and continue with your day. Anyone interested in making use of the Explore Bike Share network can rent a bike per use or on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. They also have a Pay-It-Forward membership, that is very cool, that provides an annual pass to both you and a Memphian in need of transportation options. Paying it forward is such a great idea that is also good for your heart!! Finally, the station here on Madison is very cool with lots of bikes and there's also some scooters here. It's got solar power, it's well lit and the pay options and instructions are in big print and easy to follow. I give them an enthusiastic 5 stars!! * Explore Bike Share By the Numbers Numbers (May 23, 2018 thru May 17, 2019): 1,374,123 total minutes spent biking 13,619 riders 34,213 trips taken 110,366 miles ridden 4.4 million calories burned (estimated) 40 minutes average ride duration * credit Memphis Business Journal Check these guys out at: https://explorebikeshare.bcycle.com/ or check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/987114194646859

Should be ZERO stars!!!!!…read more I did not see anyone in the downtown area riding any of these bikes and after using the service I know why. There were 6 bikes parked near the Sheraton Hotel and none of them worked. Four of the touch screens were non-responsive and two read that the bikes were unavailable because they needed service. I walked 1/3 of a mile to next location and found a touch screen that let me check out a bike. It was easy to unlock and off I went. The tires were under inflated but not quite flat. About a block into my ride I realized the rear brake was not working. The under inflated tires did not let me ride too fast so having only front brakes was ok for a short ride. The 5star review reads like a PR release. It appears that there is little concern that these bikes are poorly maintained. No where on the app is there a place to report maintenance issues. ZERO stars!!!!!

I want to give 5 stars but the hours of operation prevents me from doing so. People work! Please…read moreconsider some additional hours or changing up to open and close later a few days. I want to purchase gifts for the mothers of my church but with the posted hours I don't think I am going to make it over there.

This is my favorite place in Memphis - period. It is a non-profit business run by the most friendly…read moreand wonderful women. They have such a wide variety of teas and always offer samples as well as educating you about all things tea. My husband and I stop here about once a month to purchase new teas or to restock our favorite, the Memphis Meadow (a lemon cream tea). They also have a website where you can order online and ship to someone around the country! Whether you are new to tea or wanting to try a new flavor, I recommend coming here for a fun and educational experience.

We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House after one of My Sons Treatments. This so needed after Long…read moreDrives. We are So Truly Grateful. The People who Worked the front Desk, Alan and Gabby were SUPER Amazing and the people in the background We didn't get to meet, thank You so much. Alan and Gabby were Great and those are the first people You see to make everything comfortable when Families are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. So for all of you and all that you do. Thanks for being part of that comfort. I truly hope you all realize how important your role is in so many People's Lives. From the Paleks

My group the FEDEX PILOTS WIVES ASSOC has been associated with RMH Memphis for over 20 years. This…read morefacility "the house that love built" is like no other!! When you first walk in you feel you are on hallowed ground. We decorate for the kids each year for Halloween, bring tons of candy and fill up the "Junk Food" Pantry w/ goodies! This wonderful place gives families a chance to be together during a very tough and emotional time. Bless all who work there, all those who lodge there and all those who support the RMH! Go and visit! Take a tour! Your heart will smile!

I had an amazing experience here. The staff is so helpful and pleasant and I love the concept of…read morejust going there to listen to records. This is a cute date or self care idea if you want something cheap, laid back and relaxing. Just be present and listen to good music in a tranquil environment.

I love the Memphis Listening Lab. The entire concept is truly unique. They have an impressive…read morecurated collection of vinyls with over 75,000 pieces of different media. The initial collection was started by John King, a Memphis native that founded Ardent Records with ties to the music scene as a musician, promoter, and more. This is a legendary establishment. Quite frankly, a gem that should be preserved. Every time I visit, I try to donate to their cause. I hope to one day contribute to their collection by donating vinyls as well. With so many available options, some respectable relics, some new, as a listener there will be no problem finding something to enjoy. If you're new to the Listening Lab, I recommend asking the vinyl conservator for guidance. Be sure to have in mind what you'd like to listen to, perhaps even ready for a recommendation too! The VPI players are EXTREMELY high quality and deserve the highest care for preservation of this beautiful facility. They even have a dedicated sound room for the ultimate hi-fi experience. The listening space is beautiful, with great views and comfortable seating. Overall, it's a magnificent and top-notch establishment. I love coming here and dedicating a moment or two to a listening experience.

I went to donate blood today. I made an appointment but was about 5 minutes late. There was one guy…read morefinishing up and 3 people working the drive. By the time one of them actually came over to me (7 minutes after my appointment) I was told that the person who needed to check me in had left because I was more than 5 minutes late. They still got me checked in but sadly my iron levels were too low to donate. While they were finishing with me another woman showed up to donate, explained about a tree being in the road which caused her to be late, but they refused to take her. Considering all the stuff I hear about there being a blood shortage I am appalled by this behavior. One of the ladies working was on a the donor bed/lounge chair things, half asleep, and didn't get up at all. I expect better from Red Cross... but I guess I'll try to donate next at St. Jude or one of the other orgs.

Great place to volunteer and learn more about emergency procedures. I hope to volunteer more in…read morethe future.

I have been partnering for Bridges for years through the work that I do. Youth Development and…read moreFamily/Community Service is something that I love and they are the epitome of that! Let me start with the building, it is beautiful! The design, the resources. the large multipurpose rooms and the classrooms are are conducive to the type of work being done with the Youth and Community. I have gone for several occasions from banquets to rock climbing fun to youth workshops and they are always more than accommodating. Speaking of the activities, again I have gone for sporting and fitness retreats with students. This time, I went to facilitate a workshop and they had all of the equipment that I needed. The staff were super helpful! All of this makes an awesome facility and I look forward to continued partnership!

Bridges is a gem in downtown that I believe probably is under utilized. It was the first…read morecommercial green building in Memphis and has all kinds of neat "green" features - like carpet made of recycled water bottles and solar panels. The architecture is very unique and is designed to help promote learning about buildings, structures and their relationship with the environment. I know this place offers a lot, but the scope of there activities and services is unclear. Their website isn't super helpful in communicating this sort of information either. I do know they offer team building activities, which is why I was here. Great experience! The activities were meaningful, well thought out and executed seamlessly. The staff was very helpful in facilitating conversations about the process while not letting us get too far off track in our discussions. One of my favorites of the night was the rock climbing wall! What a fun experience in general, let alone as part of a team building exercise. This wall is also open some Fridays for people to come and climb from 6-9pm for $15. Call ahead or check their facebook to check on which Fridays they are hosting this.

One of Memphis hidden treasures! The best cooks and the…read moreladies (servers) do an outstanding job! The place reminds me of NY Tavern on the Green. If you are having lunch, ask them to seat you in the back room which over looks at the courtyard. Simply breathtakingly.

I just bought some beautiful baby clothes for my great-nephew here and I am so pleased with all of…read moreit! The prices are reasonable for exquisite handmade clothing. I found several light-weight cotton day gowns for the long summer months ahead and several diaper sets that you rarely find in department stores. The best part is the extremely helpful staff that did not pester me with the continuous, "May I help you?". They were kind enough to let me look and then suggested other outfits that I might like. Not at all pushy. The atmosphere made for a fun afternoon of shopping!

This Soup Kitchen has been operating continuously since 1870 and now serves meals six days a week…read moreto the poor, homeless and less fortunate. They serve beverages, pastries, a meat sandwich, a peanut butter sandwich, a 16-ounce cup of soup, and fruit, candy or chips. They need volunteers Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. You can sign up to volunteer on their website: http://www.stmaryssoupkitchen.org/home.html If you're looking for a place to volunteer, I can't recommend this Soup Kitchen enough. The volunteers are wonderful, warm people and the experience will completely change your perspective on many things. Oh, and the warm and fuzzies...you definitely get a lot of those!