If you love the feel of wind in your face and the joy of experiencing a new city on two wheels, you might want to pick a bike-friendly destination for your next vacation. Alternatively, if you're lucky enough to live in a bike-friendly city, don't miss out on the fun. Explore the following three best cities to visit or live in if you love biking.
Stay Safe on the Streets in Portland, Oregon
Portland offers 350 miles of bikeways, which include dedicated bike lanes and paths that crisscross throughout the city. Whether you're commuting to work or experiencing Portland for the first time, the City of Roses offers one of the best environments to experiment with biking.
You may also take part in Sunday Parkways, free events that encourage residents and visitors to get active on public streets. In particular, biking proves extremely popular, especially among attendees who don't like to walk or jog. If you're not interested in a bike-related event, you can take your bike to one of the many Portland suburbs. Explore neighborhoods and parks on your bike for exercise, stress relief, and fun. Best of all, dedicated bike lanes make biking safer because you don't have to share the same lane as vehicles.
Take Advantage of Abundant Bike Lanes in Minneapolis, Minnesota
You'll also find many bike lanes in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the only U.S. metropolis included on the Copenhagenize Design Co. annual list of most bike-friendly cities in 2015. The design company cited Minneapolis's devotion to "bike-friendly infrastructure" as one of the key reasons for its inclusion.
When the city is ranked with other U.S. cities in terms of transportation and other attractions, Minneapolis's entry often mentions biking. The city's residents enjoy riding to work, school, and other destinations, and many locals choose biking over their cars for health, financial, and environmental reasons.
Minneapolis also offers plenty of bike trails, parks, and other ways to enjoy biking. If you don't have your own bike, or if you're not sure how much you'll enjoy biking, consider participating in ride-sharing programs beginning to emerge in U.S. cities. Renting a bike means you don't have to make any long-term commitments to bike purchases or clear space in your home garage for bike storage.
Hit the Trails in Temecula, California
You'll find nearly 100 miles of bike lanes and trails in sunny Temecula, California. This city is the ideal destination for wine lovers who don't want to brave the crowded tours and destinations in Napa. Plus, the city offers mild temperatures, few rainy days, and a friendly population. Whether you're moving to Temecula or visiting only, consider adding biking to your list of planned activities.
Families love Temecula partly because of its many kid-friendly attractions, so don't hesitate to go biking with your children. Head to one of the area's 39 parks if you want to get some exercise amid the scenery. Alternatively, check out local water and theme parks.
The three cities above offer excellent conditions for regular or occasional biking. However, you can benefit from biking in many ways, so consider giving two wheels a try in your own city this weekend.
