With moderate weather, a laid-back lifestyle, flat terrain, and the Historic District’s squares to slow traffic, Savannah makes a wonderful place to explore on two wheels.
Besides, May is National Bike Month, set aside by the League of American Bicyclists to celebrate bicycling’s benefits and encourage more folks to give biking a try.
While pedaling is a great way to get around the city, there are a couple of things to know. 1) Ride around squares, not through them, and 2) Don’t ride on the sidewalk.
Other than that, explore to your heart’s content. You’ll feel like a kid again, breezing through Savannah on a bicycle.
Bike Rentals
Suppose you don’t bring a bicycle. No worries. Outfitters are ready to set you up. Rent a bike at Savannah On Wheels, with locations at Forsyth Park and downtown near Telfair Square. In addition to cruisers and mountain bikes, they rent tandem and electric bikes. If you visit Tybee Island, rent from Tim’s Bike & Beach Gear.
If you want to ride outside the Historic District, several trails are worth checking out.
Biking Trail
The three-mile Truman Linear Park Trail, a multi-use path, extends from DeRenne Avenue south to Lake Mayer Community Park. If you take the Lake Mayer Loop Path, it’s a total of 4.5 miles. The Trail provides ADA access, lights for night use, security cameras, and call boxes. Use the trailhead parking lot at the Scarborough Sports Complex.
The Truman Linear Park Trail, which opened last fall, is the first segment of Chatham County’s Tide to Town network that will consist of 30 miles throughout Savannah.
Other area trails for biking include:
The Savannah & Ogeechee Canal Trail starts at the Canal Museum & Nature Center and goes for seven miles along paved and dirt roads.
A shorter ride that families can explore together is the 1.5-mile paved trail at Daffin Park. Eventually, the Tide to Town network will connect Lake Mayer Community Park with Daffin Park
Skidaway Island State Park offers two trails for bicyclists, the Big Ferry Trail and the Avian Loop Trail. The Big Ferry Trail is about three miles and features allocator ponds. The one-mile Avian Loop offers plenty of birdwatching opportunities. Bike rentals are available onsite.
A stay in a Historic District property puts you in a bike-riding distance to Savannah’s top restaurants, shops, and museums.
