You see them everywhere—on your morning commute to co-op, on your run along the Schuylkill, and even on your walk to class. Chances are, as a Drexel student, you see a lot of cyclists in many different places. You can join in on the fun, too! If you’re fed up with walking everywhere or finding Uber rides every time you want to get somewhere just outside of walking distance, we have (almost) everything you need to know about riding your bike responsibly around the city.
Bike Safety
Did you know that, by law, bikes must be ridden in the same direction as traffic flow? Or that cyclists are legally responsible for obeying all traffic signals and signs—including traffic lights, stop signs, crosswalks, and yield signs?
Before you hop on a bike and pedal off into the sunset, it’s your responsibility as a cyclist to familiarize yourself with local bike laws. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has laws related to cyclists on the roads in the city of Philadelphia, as well as the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Although it may not be the most adrenaline-packed part of the process of becoming a cyclist, learning the rules of the road is crucial to being safe and courteous on the road. A comprehensive list of Philadelphia’s bike safety laws can be found here.
It is also essential for you to wear a helmet. Biking in the city or on a trail can be dangerous even for the most experienced rider and your safety should be a priority.
Understanding Philly’s Bike Share Program
If you’ve been on campus during spring and summer term, you’ve seen the blue bikes of Philadelphia’s Bike Share program taking over the city. The program is sponsored by local insurance giant Independence BlueCross and is the result of a citywide initiative that’s been in the works since 2013. Philadelphia’s Bike Share is incredibly advantageous for collegiettes who don’t own a bike and aren’t sure if they want to invest in their own, or don’t want to deal with the hassle of securing and storing one. Bike Share gives riders the convenience of pre-purchasing a membership (at only $15/month!) for frequent cyclists. There is also a pay-as-you-go program for sporadic trips. And with bike docks all around the city, chances are there’s one nearby for you to return your bike and rent a new one if you’re out running errands.
Read more about the program, the bikes, and how to start your membership here!
Cycles and the City: Where to Bike in Philly and Beyond
Whether you own a bike or rent one from the city, you have access to plenty of trails near (and far) for a leisurely ride or workout! No matter if you’re rocking new or used wheels, check out the many local routes Philly has to offer!
The Schuylkill River trail: Spanning from South Street to Kelly Drive, almost every Drexel student is familiar with this riverside bike path. Its central, city location and its protection from city traffic makes it ideal for a relaxing ride that isn’t too far out of the way. But be sure to watch out for the plethora of other people out enjoying the weather. The Spring Garden-South Street portion of the trail can get super crowded on weekday evenings and weekends! For easiest convenience, catch the trail just past 30th Street on Walnut or Chestnut, or at the South intersection of Spring Garden Street and Anne D’Harnoncourt Drive (by The Art Museum). If you want a relaxing ride without the urban feel, catch the trail by following Anne D’Harnoncourt Drive around the back of the museum and follow Kelly Drive north. With tranquil views of Boathouse Row and rowers along the river, you can catch the seven-mile ride out and back to The Art Museum and almost forget that you live in the fifth largest city in the country!
Because of their distance and/or terrain, the next few routes we mention are not recommended for use with rented Bike Share bikes. You may want to use your own bike or hit the road with a friend who has an extra bike to loan you! Since these routes are so out of the way (and strenuous), we suggest you plan carefully and bike in a group with experienced cyclists.
Boxer’s Trail: If you’re sightseeing along the northern segment of the Schuylkill River trail and happen to detour to Strawberry Mansion, you’ll find yourself mere steps away from the unforgiving trail that boxing legends once used to get in top shape. If you’re up for a challenge, work up a sweat while biking the 3.8 mile loop of cliffs and hilly trails overlooking the river below.
The Shore: Yes, as in the Jersey Shore. It is possible, but no, it isn’t easy. Going from Philadelphia to Ocean City is about 70 miles (six hours) of riding. But this challenging ride is definitely on our Bucket List #goals. In fact, our friends at Be Well Philly featured this on their Philly Fitness Lover’s Summer Bucket List and we couldn’t resist including it on our biking guide. Here’s a link to help you and your cycling squad plan trip on your own. Or, if you’d rather have your ride guided and fully supported, consider getting a team together for the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Bike MS: City to Shore Ride. Not only will you be giving back to an amazing organization, you’ll have major bragging rights (and a ride back). Learn more about registering here.
Plan your own route: Plan your own biking adventure with Connect the Circuit, a comprehensive map of all bike trails in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Get your supplies and your squad together to plan anything from a two-hour excursion to a day-long trip. Click here to start planning your route!
And there you have it—your guide to planning anything from a bike trip to Trader Joe’s to a wild ride to The Shore. While fun and fitness tend to be the goals at the forefront of our mind when planning a bike trip of any length, be sure to always keep safety in mind too. It’s best to travel with a partner or a pack on routes unfamiliar or more remote than our city locale. Depending on the length of your ride, keep in mind your body’s needs for fuel and hydration. You’re definitely going to be working up a sweat and torching calories on some of those longer rides! Above all, be safe, be responsible, and have fun.