wellness
Protected Cycling Routes Connect Three Downtown Parks, Draw Family Crowds
Protected paths added this spring now link three local parks with flat terrain and low traffic.
How we reported this
The Downtown Core Parks Authority opened 12 kilometers of new protected bike lanes on June 15 across Riverside Park and Maple Grove.
Summer brings peak demand for family outings as temperatures climb above 70 degrees and wellness program sign-ups rose 18 percent from May to June according to city recreation logs.
One continuous loop starts at the south entrance of Riverside Park on River Road and runs north along Elm Street before crossing into the adjacent greenway at Fourth Avenue. A second beginner route circles the fitness stations inside Maple Grove on Main Street and connects to the flat path beside Union Station.
Route Details
The Riverside loop measures 4.8 kilometers with only one gentle incline and painted buffers separating riders from vehicle lanes at three intersections. Maple Grove offers a 3.2-kilometer circuit that passes restrooms and water fountains every 800 meters. Both routes stay under posted speed limits of 15 kilometers per hour and avoid streets wider than two lanes.
City traffic counts from April recorded 940 family bike trips on these paths in the first week after opening, compared with 620 trips on the same dates in 2025. Bike rentals at the stand near Union Station cost $12 for a full day or $5 for two hours, with child seats and helmets included.
Practical Advice
Parents can park at the free lot on Fifth Avenue and reach the Riverside entrance in under five minutes on foot. Riders new to the area should begin on the Maple Grove circuit before 10 a.m. to avoid midday heat. The Downtown Core Parks Authority posts daily condition updates on its website and offers free route maps at the Maple Grove kiosk.
Additional connectors planned for September will link these loops to the path along Sixth Avenue, extending the total safe network to 18 kilometers by next summer.