We've put together three bike routes around Boston for your pedaling pleasure, complete with restaurant, bike shop, and sightseeing suggestions along the way.
What are some of your suggestions for enjoying the city by bike? Any different or longer routes around the city or in the Greater Boston area we should check out?
Best ways to see Boston by bike
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Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 1:08 PM EDT
- BDCThingsToDoStaff
- Posts: 116
- First: 6/19/2008
- Last: 1/3/2012
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Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 4:17 PM EDT
- rdbiker
- Posts: 0
- First: 6/19/2008
- Last: 1/3/2012
You've gotta be kidding me!!There are no good bike routes around Boston. It's one of the most unfriendly cities in the country for that mode of transportation!
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Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 5:54 PM EDT
- RTM
- Posts: 43
- First: 7/22/2008
- Last: 5/31/2013
Just an FYI....
I noticed they just added a bike lane to Washington St from Forest Hills to Rossie Sq. One of my favorite rides is around Jamaica Pond, down the Arborway and into the Arnold Arboretum. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 6:05 PM EDT
- Fierte
- Posts: 0
- First: 7/22/2008
- Last: 5/31/2013
In Response to Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike:You've gotta be kidding me!!There are no good bike routes around Boston. It's one of the most unfriendly cities in the country for that mode of transportation!
Posted by rdbiker
I might have felt the same but really enjoyed last Sunday's Hub on Wheels ride. DO it! You will love it. I rode parts of Boston I never saw before and a lot of old things from new perspective. Guess what? I also learned any Sunday morning is a great time to ride Boston. Maybe not Storrow Drive but out to Arnold Arboredum and over to Castle Island! -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 6:13 PM EDT
- Fierte
- Posts: 0
- First: 7/22/2008
- Last: 5/31/2013
In Response to Best ways to see Boston by bike:We've put together three bike routes around Boston for your pedaling pleasure, complete with restaurant, bike shop, and sightseeing suggestions along the way. What are some of your suggestions for enjoying the city by bike? Any different or longer routes around the city or in the Greater Boston area we should check out?
Posted by BDCThingsToDoStaff
I love visiting Arthur Fieldler, Mayors White and Curley, Red, Bird's shoes then off to Admiral Farragut and over to Cy Young. Sweet ride. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 6:22 PM EDT
- Fierte
- Posts: 0
- First: 7/22/2008
- Last: 5/31/2013
Being a Metro Boston parent, I herd as many teenagers as I can from Watertown Square, Harvard Square, Museum of Science, Hatch Shell and visit the new Harry Parker boathouse and back. I bribe'em with Falafels on Mass Ave, burgers at Bartley's or frisbee on the Esplanade and it is a big success. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 6:24 PM EDT
- catzeb
- Posts: 0
- First: 7/22/2008
- Last: 5/31/2013
Oh no! The Globe tell us about the huge number of evil older poeple regulary kill people, even those on bicycles, and they are saying we must have lots of people out there with bicycles?
How many of them will get killed by evil older people who just don't care how many people they kill?
Oh no!
(maybe they are finally admitting they are wrong about evil older people? Nah they have their agenda and they are stickin' to it!) -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/8/2009 7:51 PM EDT
- BobBos
- Posts: 1
- First: 4/19/2013
- Last: 4/19/2013
Correction to the article: The Forests and Fields bike trip doesn't touch the South End at all (South End is north of Mass Ave). It starts at Ruggles St, which is part of Roxbury. And it stays in Roxbury until Jackson Square, at which it crosses into JP. It's a trip through Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/9/2009 3:55 AM EDT
- FlyingDutchman
- Posts: 5
- First: 10/9/2009
- Last: 1/17/2011
The river route can be continued, on bike paths, all the way past Harvard Square to Watertown Square -- making it close to 20 miles roundtrip. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/9/2009 4:01 AM EDT
- FlyingDutchman
- Posts: 5
- First: 10/9/2009
- Last: 1/17/2011
And I wouldn't call a ride on Amory Street in JP "Forests & Fields". However, you could take the paths through Arnold Arboretum, go on some small side streets for a few blocks, and then take the paths through Franklin Park, and that would be mostly F&F. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/9/2009 5:20 AM EDT
- richcar
- Posts: 11
- First: 2/19/2008
- Last: 10/9/2009
Well its encouraging seeing the public and especially the Globe discoverying and discussing biking.
It's unforunate, as noted by the first respondent, the general attitude is its dangerous and there are no good routes. Also that some just choose to vent here, liking carping about the paper vs older drivers.
I'm about 70 and enjoy biking regularly along the Charles and Emerald Necklace and Harborwalk.
Both the River map and FlyingDutchman have sold this route short. You can ride a loop from the Museum Of Science along the Charles all the way to Waltham Center/Square on paved paths. Once past the Mass Ave bridge and BU the foot traffic thins out and once past Watertown Square the path is at its best and is truly amongst trees and greenery. Only the crossing of streets is where you see cars and of course be cautious. But this ride for which you can return on the opposite side of the Charles, along Watertown and Cambridge and Memorial Drive rivals the much praised, justifiably, Minuteman Trail Path from Somerville to Bedford, which is not a loop. And this one is in the heart of the cities and Boston.
Likewise, the Southwest Corridor which you can start with at Southie along Day boulevard and down to Forest Hills, visit the Zoo, park or cemetary, and come back up via Jamicaway paths to Charles and then along Harborwalk back to Southie is also glorious and overlooked and sold short. Try and enjoy! Be polite to pedestrians and fellow bikers and stay away from roads and drivers and wear helmets, unlike rider in one picture along Charles. Regards! RichC from Everett -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/9/2009 4:55 PM EDT
- SuperCodeMonkey
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/19/2008
- Last: 10/9/2009
I have mapped a few of my rides:
This is about a 20 mile ride around the Emerald Necklace
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=102450319880224670173.000466fb5453304aa87c4
This is about a 35 mile ride out to the waterfront
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=102450319880224670173.00046e1dfa9bf8d9424f0
The Esplanade extends past Watertown Square onto the Blue Heron Trail
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=102450319880224670173.00046c7a06b60d69b41bb
If you are feeling adventurous this is 45 mile ride from Boston out to Walden Woods and back
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=102450319880224670173.00046b4986081db807699 -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/12/2009 9:07 AM EDT
- gbing
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/19/2008
- Last: 10/9/2009
If you're interested in getting to the Minuteman Bike Path (an award winning rail-to-trail), I have my commute from Arlington posted here:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=334118
There's a dedicated bike lane most of the way.
I saw SuperCodeMonkey's post for Walden and noticed for the first time the access to the Minuteman via the "Grove-Cedar Bike Path" in Somerville. Will definitely check that out!
I'm loving all the new GPS and mapping tools and widgets out there. My bet, if you have a GPS device, go to EveryTrail (this is not a shameless plug from the company, I'm just a fan). You can post comments, photos, and waypoints. I also love Map My Ride for planning.
In Response to Best ways to see Boston by bike:We've put together three bike routes around Boston for your pedaling pleasure, complete with restaurant, bike shop, and sightseeing suggestions along the way. What are some of your suggestions for enjoying the city by bike? Any different or longer routes around the city or in the Greater Boston area we should check out?
Posted by BDCThingsToDoStaff -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/22/2009 7:39 AM EDT
- kt22mike
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/19/2008
- Last: 10/9/2009
My best ride is to take the bike path along Storrow Drive and connect up with the Minuteman bike path via Havard Square. The ride though Harvard Square is well marked with signs (starts at the entrance to Kennedy School Yard) and uses less travelled one way streets (some have marked bike lanes) which then take you via Fresh Pond to the Red Line at Allewife where you then jump on the Minuteman Trail. Great coffee shop in Arlington and several Starbucks/Peets along the way.
In Bedford you have the option of continuing on to Concord Center or even farther to Carlise etc.
The ride from the Science Museum to end of the Minuteman is approx. 20 miles, going onto Concord Center adds another 5 miles. Allows you to have a relatively car free, safe ride for a total round trip of 50 miles.
I try to do this ride everyday (until the weather forces me inside). The season changes, sailboats, ducktours, rowers and the tourists during the year makes the trip interesting and different everyday.
Only request is that the State re-mark the Storrow Drive bike path. This is an accident waiting to happen with the walkers and joggers who don't realize this is a bike path (make sure you have a bell!). -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 10/30/2009 10:03 AM EDT
- emg024
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/19/2008
- Last: 10/9/2009
Do yourself a favor, your family a favor and Bostonians a favor and do not ride your bike on the streets of Boston. Consider the suburbs. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/10/2010 1:12 PM EST
- schadenfreude99
- Posts: 546
- First: 2/9/2009
- Last: 1/20/2011
Fat tires only for me....Lynn Woods -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/10/2010 1:27 PM EST
- ballydehob
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/9/2009
- Last: 1/20/2011
I've stopped cycling and am not sure if I will resume. My concern is the ballooning number of people with handheld messaging and audio devices. Everyone is talking on their phones. While driving I see them absolutely not paying attention and roaming over into the breakdown lanes, etc.
Text messaging legislation will not solve this cultural phenomenon. "I wasn't texting, I was merely changing the playlist on my MP3 (when I plowed into the twelve pound bicycle)." There are so many different devices to occupy one's attention now, the risk outweighs the benefits. As their minds wander, my bicycle gathers dust. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/10/2010 4:44 PM EST
- Generalboblee
- Posts: 0
- First: 2/9/2009
- Last: 1/20/2011
In Response to Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike:Way out in the NW suburbs, the Nashua River Rail Trail in Pepperell/Groton/Ayer is a very easy, nice ride: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/nash.htm
Posted by mikeduofa
Seconded! This trail runs right along the Nashua River, through active farms, and through some beautiful swamps. Except on weekends, you'll never see any traffic (and not that bad on the weekends!). It actually extends in Nashua over the borders - and cannot be beat in floiage season. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/10/2010 5:58 PM EST
- Ron7236
- Posts: 5
- First: 10/11/2008
- Last: 4/18/2012
I am horrible at mapping things. I live in Roxbury, right near Roxbury crossing. My husband and I take our bikes out and ride on the trails up to mass ave. From there we head on down into cambridge and get to alewife station.
We then take hit the Minuteman Bike Trail and ride it out till the end. From there we take some unpaved trails out to a nature preserve in...Concord, I believe. If we continued riding the trails, eventually we could go visit my mom in N. Billerica.
It's amazing that riding all those miles, and you are only on a street w/ traffic for about 10-15 minutes. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/11/2010 12:14 PM EST
- faylow88
- Posts: 0
- First: 10/11/2008
- Last: 4/18/2012
I just wanted to Thank Boston.com for the spyware attached to the 15 bike trails loop which infected my PC...beware of Anti-virus 7 infecting your PC! -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/18/2010 11:44 AM EDT
- blkdog
- Posts: 0
- First: 10/11/2008
- Last: 4/18/2012
Come join us...for a very mello 20 mile tour of Boston Harbor and the Neponset Greenway Saturday 3/20 10:00 http://bit.ly/dlBPaZMeet at Castle Island@bostonoutdoor -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/18/2010 11:53 AM EDT
- Jen101
- Posts: 4
- First: 12/24/2009
- Last: 2/15/2011
In Response to Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike:You've gotta be kidding me!!There are no good bike routes around Boston. It's one of the most unfriendly cities in the country for that mode of transportation!
Posted by rdbiker
I agree. I would never bike around Boston except where there are dedicated
paths. And even some of those (like the Minute Man Bikeway) are too crowded at
times to be enjoyable. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/18/2010 12:05 PM EDT
- SRP111264
- Posts: 0
- First: 12/24/2009
- Last: 2/15/2011
Thank you so much SuperCodeMonkey, Generalboblee and everyone else who posted their ideas! I will try all the recommendations. I usually bike in the suburbs with a bike group, and yes, the roads can be dangerous. If people use hand signals and bike in groups, it's easier to share warnings with each other.
A positive attitude goes a long way, and trying to affect legislation to make more bike lanes is a solution. I won't let some bad drivers stop me from doing my favorite form of exercise in my favorite city.
Enjoy, everyone!!! -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/18/2010 12:42 PM EDT
- silverbulletman
- Posts: 0
- First: 12/24/2009
- Last: 2/15/2011
Anywhere you choose except any street, roads or highways designated for motor vehicles. Stay off of the roads. -
Re: Best ways to see Boston by bike
posted at 3/18/2010 2:26 PM EDT
- scifiman
- Posts: 0
- First: 12/24/2009
- Last: 2/15/2011
For those a little more adventurous...
Claire Saltonstall Bikeway Map:http://www.crw.org/claire.htm
I made it as far as the canal last summer, although I had previously biked the CCRT the year before.
p.s. -Note: The Charles River path extends past Watertown Sq. to beyond Waltham Center.