AAA The Extra Mile. August 2022.

It’s no surprise that biking is one of the most cost effective and environmentally friendly modes of transportation. You can explore a city, save money, and get a workout on two wheels. With rising gas prices and traffic congestion, more cities are investing in creating accessible bike rental stations and bike lanes. Whether you’re looking to relocate or just want to pick a bike-friendly vacation destination, here are some of the best cities for getting around on a road bike, mountain bike, or hybrid bike.

PORTLAND, OREGON
Portland has been named a “Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community” by The League of American Bicyclists, and “#1 Bike-friendly City” by Bicycling magazine. With miles of protected bike lanes adorned with special artwork, one of the world’s largest naked bike rides, and even a month-long bike festival every summer, Portland is any bicyclist’s dream.

You will find dedicated traffic signals for cyclists, green pavement marked bike boxes, and bike rentals all over the City of Roses. Get a free 1-hour rental through Adaptive Biketown, a program dedicated to increasing access to bicycles for those with disabilities.

VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE, VIRGINIA
Explore the scenic beauty and elevated thrills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia in “America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital.” The area was named a silver-level ride center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and will be the training grounds for TWENTY24 Pro Cycling, a professional women’s road bicycle racing team in the United States.

The Roanoke area has more than 600 miles of biking trails. You can also ride along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, or explore arts, culture, food, and history in the urban areas, through RIDE Solutions’ self-guided bicycle tours. If you visit in October, attend Roanoke GO Fest where you can participate in group rides, races, and BMX stunt shows.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
With miles of protected bike lanes and cycle tracks that are separated from traffic by physical barriers, Seattle is one of the safest cities to commute by bike. You can rent a bike using the Lime and Veo (Shared Electric Vehicles) apps on your smartphone to run a quick errand or take a day-long adventure. If you are visiting Seattle, follow the drink and pedal map to discover local breweries and wineries in the Ballard and Interbay neighborhoods, or visit one of the cycle cafes around town.
  
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque’s 50-mile activity loop offers a stimulating alternative to exploring some of the most iconic spots around downtown. Travel through the Old Town and museum district, cross the Rio Grande Valley, the edge of Petroglyph National Monument, and along the scenic Sandia Mountains. On your way, enjoy shopping and eating spots around the quaint neighborhoods.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Take the 22-mile long Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville leading through downtown, the majestic 355-foot Liberty Bridge, and Falls Park on the Reedy trail, to the tranquil town of Travelers Rest. In this quaint mountain town, you can stay at a luxurious, European-style Hotel Domestique, which was established by world-renowned cyclist George Hincapie. The hotel offers guided riding, mountain bike rentals, door-to-trail transportation, and a lunch to go.

GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
If you are a serious cyclist, test your mettle on two of Colorado’s most difficult alpine climbs in the Grand Junction area. The Rocky Mountain Cycling Club ranks Highway 65 overGrand Mesaas the second-hardest (north to south), and third-hardest (south to north) climbs in the state. For a leisurely ride, enjoy the views from the mostly paved Riverfront Trail that follows the Colorado River connecting Palisade, Grand Junction, Fruita, and three state parks. Here you can also see wildlife habitats, more than 200 bird species, and distinct vegetation growing along the river.

~ Written for and published by AAA The Extra Mile. All rights reserved.