In this first five months, riders of Tampa Bay's new Coast Bike Share system have ridden nearly enough miles to circle the globe.

The operators of the bike-rental company reported this month that they're expanding their system to keep up with demand, adding new stations in the Channel District and in downtown. The two stations in Ybor City, Tampa Bay's historic Latin Quarter and entertainment district, will expand in size.

“Coast Bike Share is a great example of how Tampa Bay is growing as a tourism destination,” said Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “The company's bikes are sturdy and the system is built for short-term users such as visitors who want to explore downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods more closely than a car allows.”

Coast Bike Share lets anyone with a smartphone and a credit card register and ride in a matter of minutes. The sturdy blue bikes come with baskets, driveshafts instead of greasy chains, and a U-shaped lock that stores easily on the bike. Rental rates make it easy to ride Coast Bike Share for a hour or an afternoon.

Since the program started in late 2014, more than 6,200 people have joined as annual members. Between them and day-trippers, Coast Bike Share users have made more than 15,700 trips and ridden nearly 50,000 miles around Tampa Bay.

The busiest stations on the system are both along the recently completed Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.5-mile (4 km) pedestrian pathway along Garrison Channel and the Hillsborough River. The Riverwalk links most of downtown's most popular destinations like gems on a string – and Coast Bike Share is a great way to see them all.