The wheels are in motion. Austin has its foot on the pedal and is on its way to becoming “America’s next great biking city.” As People for Bikes has noted, the city has poured its resources into expanding its biking pathways and the city’s landscape is becoming a better place for cyclists of all levels because of it.
Whether you haven’t stepped on a bike since grade school or you’re ready to trade in your car for a $10,000 Cannondale, Austin (and the surrounding areas) may just be the best biking spot in the country.
400 Miles of Bike Paths
Eight years ago, Austin announced an initiative to add a 400-mile biking network to help residents better navigate the city sans cars. While there were hiccups in the beginning, the city is currently more than halfway to completing that goal and 64% of residents can now access one of those bike paths from their homes. Once the remaining bike system is complete, that number will jump to 87% of residents. That means more people getting heart-healthy exercise and an alternative to jumping in their car to get from point A to B.
No Bike, No Problem
Naturally, a biking network that stretches into nearly every corner of the city is going to lead to more people buying bikes. Not everyone, however, can afford to buy a bike or has the storage space for it in their home. Renting a bike through MetroBike is an ideal alternative. The city’s public bike-share system allows anyone to rent and start pedaling.
Users can access the bikes from 75 different bike stations scattered throughout the city. Various subscriptions are available, as well as student discounts, and bikes can be rented for as low as just a little over $1!
Biking in Kyle and Austin
Head outside Austin’s metro center just a bit and you’ll find an abundance of scenic biking trails that will make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the city. The Violet Crown Trail will allow bikers to enjoy 30 miles of biking trails when complete, while the Southern Walnut Creek Trail takes bikers on a concrete pathway through over 7 miles of beautiful flatlands and gently rolling hills.
While biking to Austin might be a stretch for Kyle residents, Hays County is a fantastic area to get some cycling in. The Kyle Cycling Pedal Club is a Meetup group for cycling enthusiasts and Kyle Cyclery is the city’s premiere cycle shop. In addition to sales and repairs, the shop also offers mountain biking classes for those who are curious about the sport, as well as scheduled group rides. Hays County has a number of mountain biking trails that encompass Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, Wimberley, and Dripping Springs. If you’re looking for hills to pedal on, the Texas Hill Country has them!
If mountain biking isn’t your thing or you’d like to just warm up a bit first before hitting the dirt, consider a ride on one of the beautiful trails found within the Crosswinds community for our residents. Reach out to us to learn more about our trails and other amenities.