Appealing to those caught up in the credit-crunch craze for saving money, some of the world’s hippest big-city hotels are now offering fleets of bicycles for guests to use.

Opt for one of these hotels in the new year and not only will you save your cash and get a fresh perspective on the city, you’ll fulfil your resolutions to be healthier and eco-aware in 2009.

The Bowery NYC

In New York, you can pedal around Manhattan on a red Jamis earth cruiser if you stay at The Bowery NYC; www.theboweryhotel.com.

The James

At The James in Chicago, you can ride bikes customized by kooky clothing brand Paul Frank; see www.jameshotels.com.

The Gansevoort South

The Gansevoort South in Miami is offering very cool glow-in-the-dark Puma bikes, perfect for guests planning to hit the city’s famous nightspots; ganse www.voortsouth.com.

Element

Even hotel mega-chain, Starwood is offering free bikes at its new eco-friendly Element property. Guests can borrow Trek hybrid mountain/city bikes from their first hotel in the Boston suburb of Lexington; www.elementHotels.com.

Hotel du Nord

The intimate and charming Hotel du Nord in Paris is offering its answer to the city’s famous Velibpay-per-ride bicycles with a fleet of 10 bikes for guests to ride free of charge; check out  www.hoteldunord-leparivelo.com.

Cash-saving tips

• Look for discounts at hotels during their off-peak time of the week. Business hotels offer great deals on weekends, and fancy weekend-break country hotels are often cheaper during the week.

• Avoid peak times in general — flights, hotels and packages are always pricier during school holidays.

• Live like a local. Eat in local cafés rather than touristy restaurants, and you’ll enjoy more authentic cuisine as well as save cash. Use a local SIM card so you don’t pay extortionate cell-phone rates.

• Watch out for false economies. Your ultra-cheap flight can cost a fortune if you have to take a taxi to or from the airport if you fly or land at crazy times.