Explore Massachusetts by bike and you’ll experience an up-close look at our vibrant cities, our iconic villages, and our rural byways. Hop on, hop off. Ride a rail trail (no hills). Take a guided trip. Join riders of all ages on a rewarding and fun-filled cross-state tour. Explore Boston at your own pace with a Hubway bike. Welcome to bike-friendly Massachusetts.
BIKE SAFETY
Stay safe while exploring Massachusetts by bike. Always wear a bike helmet (Massachusetts law requires that children 16 years old or younger wear a helmet). Obey all regulatory signs and signals. Never ride against the traffic. Watch for car doors opening. Respect all other riders, drivers, and pedestrians. More safety tips from BLUEbikes bike-sharing.
MAJOR RAIL & OFF-ROAD TRAILS
Assabet River Rail Trail
Marlborough-Hudson, 6 miles
Maynard-Acton, 3.4 miles
Minuteman Bikeway
Cambridge-Bedford, 10 miles
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Yarmouth-Wellfleet, 26 miles
Cape Cod Canal Bikeway
Bourne Bridge-Sagamore Bridge, 7 miles
Shining Sea Bikeway
North Falmouth-Woods Hole, 10.7 miles
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Adams-Lanesborough, 12.4 miles
Norwottuck Rail Trail
Northampton-Amherst, 11 miles
Manhan Rail Trail
Easthampton-Northampton, 9 miles
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Chelmsford-Westford, 11.7 miles
Columbia Greenway/Southwick Rail Trail
Southwick-Westfield, 8.6 miles
Other bike trails and pathways :
BIKING IN METRO BOSTON
You don’t need to bring your own bicycle to explore Boston on two wheels. Just hop on BLUEBikes, metro Boston’s bike share program. 1,300 bikes are available at 140 Hubway stations in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. Hubway has 24-hour and 72-hour memberships — perfect for a long weekend in the city — as well as an annual membership.
Two helpful guides to the ins and outs of pedaling around the city:
Guide to urban riding from Boston Bikes
Bikabout’s guide to Boston biking
TRAVELING WITH BIKES ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
Too far to ride? Take your bike on the MBTA. The “T” provides bus, trolley, subway, ferry, and commuter rail service in Greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. You can take a bike on most of the system with some restrictions during rush hour service. 95% of the T’s non-electric buses have bike racks. The commuter rail will take you south to Plymouth, north to the beaches and picturesque harbors of the North Shore, and west to Worcester and charming rural town and villages.
BIKE TOURS/RIDES
Bike About
Choose from four routes in Ipswich, The Merrimack Valley or Boston/Cambridge
Cotuit Bicycling Tours
Custom day trips to Cape Cod villages and Martha’s Vineyard
Baja Bikes – Boston Bike Tours Explore Boston During a Fun and Relaxed Excursion
Great Freedom Adventures
Multi-day themed trips
Easy Rider Tours
6-day tour, Autumn in the Berkshires
Nantucket Bike Tours
Short bike rides around the island
Urban Adventours
2- to 3-hour escorted bike tours of Boston and Cambridge
Bike Rides for Ordinary People
Free, easy-paced weekend rides in Greater Boston
River Edge Cycling
Multi-faceted bicycle tours in Massachusetts and western New England
ANNUAL BIKE EVENTS
August Statewide charity bike ride with 12 routes ranging from 25 to 192 miles
August – 2- to 7-day options. Starts in Northampton.
August – 3- to 9-day options. Starts in Northampton
Second week of May – the only state in the nation with a statewide bike week!
BIKE-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
Bay State Bike Week, Bike Night fashion show, BikeMass Summer Century, education, advocacy
Rail trails, bike paths, bike trails
Boston Bikes is Boston’s city-wide initiative to encourage citizens and visitors to use bicycles for fun, exercise, and transportation. It manages the BLUEbikes bike share program and develop bike-related events.
Livable Streets advocates for a metro Boston transportation system that balances transit, walking, and biking with cars.
BIKE SHOPS & RENTALS
Outdoor Adventure: It's all here
Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?