Cheat Sheet to Great Philadelphia Bike Rides

Enjoying the city on your bicycle this summer and looking for a new place to ride?  Safe Routes Philly Youth Instructor Cy Maramangalam offers this cheat sheet to riding familiar and not-so-familiar corners of the city.

The summer brings a beautiful opportunity to get on a bike and go for a ride.  There exist a multitude of parks, trails, and hidden gems right here in Philadelphia.

The Big Three:

Fairmount Park
Located along both sides of the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park contains miles and miles of roads, trails, and paths. It is home to the Schuylkill River Trail, one of the most popular destinations for local bike riders.

Wissahickon Park
Located in the northwest section of Philadelphia is an enormous swath of natural green space filled with trees, wildlife, and trails running along the pristine Wissahickon Creek. This is one place in Philadelphia where you can completely forget that you are still in a bustling city. If you have a hybrid or mountain bike, take it out for a ride along the gravel trail known as Forbidden Drive and see what this park has to offer. Don’t forget to stop by the Valley Green Inn for a bite!

Pennypack Park
In northeast Philadelphia, a beautiful paved trail runs across this section of the city. The rolling hills, beautiful creek, and interesting sights make a ride in this park quite a delight. If you haven’t seen this part of the city yet, then is certainly worth a visit!

Hidden Gems:

The Navy Yard
The southernmost portion of South Philly serves as home to the first naval shipyard in the country. Although there is no more military activity, the Navy Yard has become the site of a number of different private businesses. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to commute to the Navy Yard, but it is one of the most interesting places to ride in Philadelphia. Portions of the Navy Yard are abandoned, giving the area a ghost town feel. The Navy Yard is open to the public on weekdays from 6am to 6pm.

Cobb’s Creek Park
At the far end of West Philadelphia lies a park which flies under the radar. Cobb’s Creek is another Philadelphia park with a multi-use trail, free from cars and trucks. Additionally, the southern end of the park is schedule to become part of a path connecting the Schulylkill River Trail to the East Coast Greenway (see our Complete the Trail website for more information on this amazing trail network).

Delaware River Trail
Though a trail along the Delaware River is still in development and far from complete, a small portion of this trail has been recently made accessible! Head to the very end of the Walmart parking lot. On the river side of Walmart is a brand new trail that heads north to Washington Avenue. Check it out!