Riding a bike can be both enjoyable and liberating. Whether you're cruising around the block, running errands, commuting to work, or simply looking for a workout, a good bike — especially an electric cruiser — can make your ride so much more enjoyable.
Bikes have become increasingly popular among travelers in recent years, often serving as a cheap, fun, and dependable mode of transportation. A bike is a great way to explore a new location because it is slow enough to take in the sights while still being fast enough to cover a lot of ground. Once you've discovered the joys of traveling by bike, it's difficult to go back to anything else.
However, some places are better suited and more accommodating to cycling tourists than others. Here are the best destinations in the US that you can explore on your bike.
12 Best Places to Explore by Bike
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Boulder, Colorado
Any list that involves the best biking destinations in the US is not complete without Boulder, Colorado. It is one of the best places to explore by bike in the United States. It has great scenery, ample hotel options, and is home to over 300 miles of trails making it a true adventure biking mecca.
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Portland, Oregon
Portland is much like Boulder in that it has a gorgeous urban environment with fun things to do and great places to explore. Some of the top cycling spots include several scenic routes that lead to Kelly Point Park—a secluded destination in the heart of the city—and an unbelievably beautiful path through the Tryon Creek State Natural Area that leaves little doubt as to exactly why Oregon is such a popular place to live and visit. Best of all, when exploring Portland by bike, you can begin your day with a caffeinated beverage from one of the many coffee shops and end it by sampling cold drinks at a local brewery.
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is a great biking destination because it has miles of excellent trails that weave throughout its urban environment, making it highly accessible and easy to navigate for visitors. For a taste of what Minneapolis has to offer, ride the Chain of Lakes trail which winds its way past a few of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. Running alongside the Chain of Lakes trail is the Midtown Greenway which is well-lit even at night and even gets plowed in the winter.
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Madison, Wisconsin
Madison considers itself a bicycle-friendly city, and with its efforts to build more bike lanes and trails, it is easy to see why. Madison has plenty of bike-only lanes and trails as well as signs that indicate the distance and direction to popular destinations. The vibrant downtown area is extremely accessible; with lots of bike-shares options, e-bikes included.
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Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is an excellent biking destination due to its vibrant art and music scene, excellent pubs and restaurants, superb hiking trails, and exceptional bike trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In fact, the parkway may be the most scenic ride east of the Mississippi. If you visit Asheville, be prepared for many steep climbs, but then relax your leg muscles at one of the great breweries.
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Manhattan, New York
For a great bike ride in an urban area, Manhattan is an amazing option. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway takes riders along the East Side, through the Battery, into East Harlem, 83rd Street, and even into Midtown. It's 31 miles long and will take you past food and drinks and amenities. The Greenway is completely isolated from motor vehicles, causing it to feel more relaxed than a typical bike ride in the city.
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Seattle, Washington
Seattle has always been a great destination to explore by bike, but the city is doing its part to make it the best too. Longer and better-protected bike lanes have made the city safe for everyone and allow you to explore all of the best parts of Seattle. Neighborhoods are connected through well-connected greenways and these take you almost anywhere in Seattle on a safe green trail. There are even trails along scenic lakes. This means that there's something for every type of cyclist and these routes can take you from Downtown to the most popular portions of the city or allow you to stay in more suburban towns off the beaten path.
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San Francisco, California
San Francisco is one of the world's most culturally rich cities and a must-see for anyone who enjoys food, culture, art, and history. Over the last decade, the city has undergone rapid transformation and is now regarded as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. There are numerous fantastic biking routes throughout San Francisco, each of which provides breathtaking views of some of the city's most famous landmarks. The Presidio Bike Loop, which runs along the city's coastline and under the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the Paradise Loop, which offers views of all five bridges as well as Alcatraz, Angel Island, and some of the city's finest neighborhoods, are two of the most popular rides among cyclists.
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Austin, Texas
Austin is a great place to ride a bike because it has plenty of warm, sunny weather all year long. It is known for having lots of group rides which are easy to find daily. Visitors will especially enjoy the bike trails in popular parts of the city such as SoCo. SoCo is an eclectic area that has a wonderful art scene and some unusual shops. If you want to get off the pavement and onto some dirt, Austin also has many undulating hills for you to test your legs on, located nearby in the Texas Hill Country.
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Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is not only a great place to explore by bike; it's also a fantastic destination for anyone who wants to find new and exciting ways to get active in the sun. With more than 700 miles of bike trail integrated throughout the city, not to mention excellent weather all year round, Tucson is a dream come true for many cyclists. Its 55-mile Loop trail puts the entire city within reach by bike, passing through parks and urban settings and connecting with other bike and bus routes. You'll find restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, theaters, hotels, and plenty of other establishments along the Loop, which continues to evolve and grow on an annual basis. And when you're ready to leave the city behind, the nearby Santa Catalina Mountains offer excellent trail riding too.
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Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is yet another city that has embraced cycling culture wholeheartedly. It has not only constructed several protected bike lanes to keep riders safe while sharing the road with motorists, but it has also developed a special trail that provides access to a number of local attractions. The 22-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is colorfully named after a swamp rabbit. The path winds past local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and a variety of other attractions, making it a convenient and relaxing way to explore Greenville by bike. If you need a place to stay while in the area, the Hotel Domestique should be on your list. Owned by former pro cycling legend, George Hincapie.
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Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is an emerging southern cycling destination quickly becoming a new hot spot for riders. That's because the city has invested heavily in new infrastructure, such as the Louisville Loop, which will connect nearly every corner of the city when completed. Road cyclists can explore seemingly endless miles of country backroads just outside of town, extending across the lower Ohio Valley. The roads are smooth and easy to follow, and there is plenty of natural beauty to enjoy, especially in the fall.
Cycling is a great way to explore the United States and experience the country's natural beauty and diverse culture. From the breathtaking mountain ranges of the West to the picturesque countryside of the East, the USA offers an abundance of destinations that are perfect for a biking adventure. Whether you're an experienced cyclist looking for a challenging route or a beginner looking for a more leisurely ride, there's something for everyone. So pack your bags, get your bike, and hit the road to discover some of the best destinations the USA has to offer for cycling enthusiasts. Happy riding!
Explore Cities on an Electric Cruiser Bike
Small Town Bike Co's electric cruiser bike is a perfect choice for this type of adventure, as it combines the classic style of a cruiser bike with the modern convenience of an electric motor. This means that you can easily navigate through the city streets and hills, without breaking a sweat. The comfortable seat and upright riding position make it easy to take in the sights and sounds of the city, while the electric assist will help you cover more ground with less effort. Whether you're visiting a new city or rediscovering your own hometown, the ebike cruiser is a great option for an eco-friendly and effortless ride.
