Spectacular Places To Cycle In Miami FL

Notorious for being one of the most dangerous cities for cyclists to ride in, Miami’s roads are paved with reckless drivers and a long list of accidents. But just because it’s not a bike-friendly city like Amsterdam doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get in a few decent miles on a trail—after all, locals do it all the time. We’ve compiled the most scenic routes to brave through on a bike.

Oleta River State Park

Park

With over 10 miles (16 kilometers) of challenging mountain bike trails and three miles (4.8 kilometers) of paved trails, Oleta offers pro and novice cyclists a decent amount of ground to cover. The urban park’s varied landscape—with beaches and swamps, a river, and plenty of forested areas—gives cyclists a break from the city life, and quite possibly a chance encounter with wildlife such as deer, alligators, and tortoises. The park is a favorite spot on the weekends, so be sure to arrive early to avoid waiting in line.

Rickenbacker Trail

Navigate along the Rickenbacker Trail to Key Biscayne for scenic views of the bay and the Miami skyline; in other words, it’s the most beautiful biking trail in Miami. Seasoned cyclists can take the 8.5-mile (13.7-kilometer) bike lane and pass by the beaches and the Miami Seaquarium, until reaching the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The only trouble here is the steep climb up the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Commodore Trail

The short and sweet five-mile (eight-kilometer) Commodore Trail in Coconut Grove picks up right before entering the Rickenbacker Causeway. Lanes are slightly squished along S Bayshore Drive with the endless bumper-to-bumper traffic, but you are parallel to the bay. The trail wanders past the iconic Vizcaya Museum, Mercy Hospital, the Barnacle Historic Site, and Kennedy Park, which has a handy lemonade stand on-site.

Old Cutler Trail

For a peaceful morning in the suburbs, go biking under the shade of the Banyan trees down Old Cutler Road. The quiet road bordered by tropical vegetation and gorgeous homes runs alongside the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Pinecrest Gardens, which holds a farmers’ market every Sunday.

Matheson Hammock Park

Park

Take a detour from the Old Cutler Trail for a brief cycle through Matheson Hammock Park. The 630 acres of land with a man-made atoll pool boasts a marina, a restaurant, picnic areas, kayak rentals, and trails along the mangroves and the bay (where you can catch sightings of manatees).

Homestead Bayfront Park

Park

For more seasoned cyclists, the long and winding trail next to the Redlands will be right up your alley. Starting off at Black Point Marina, cyclists can pedal south through the Homestead farms, mangroves, and empty roads for miles. Enjoy picturesque views of Biscayne Bay, and then catch a break with your pals for cold drinks at La Playa Grill. For a real bonding moment with fellow cyclists, check out Critical Mass. The cycling event that invites cyclists to ride as a group through the city takes place every last Friday of the month.