Boston's Mayor Menino envisions turning Boston into a city safe for local and visiting bicycle riders. Alongside the Boston Bicycle Advisory Committee (BBAC), he wants to "bring together bicyclists, neighborhood residents, advocacy groups and public agencies to encourage and promote safe bicycling" (Boston Bicycle Plan, 2000-2010). Those who got their rental car in Boston will find that they're not only managing to make Boston a good cycling city for residents, but also one of the best places for tourists who want to enjoy the city by riding through it on a bike.

The Best Bike Paths around Boston

Those who got their rental car in Boston will find biking around the Boston area even more enjoyable since they抣l be able to take their bikes to many different places. The best 15 places to bike in and around Boston are as follows:
- Plum Island: This half-day bike ride allows you to ride a 6-mile barrier beach that stretches past Newburyport. Entry costs $2 per bike.
- The Mountain Bike Loop at Middlesex Fells Reservation: You only have to travel 30 miles outside the city to reach this "Wilderness."You can enjoy this half-day bike ride for free.
- The Lexington Loop: This 30-mile path will take you the whole day, but offers views of woodlands, meadows, and quaint farms.
- Cape Ann: Visit the town made famous by The Perfect Storm on this free, full-day ride.
- Cape Cod: This free, full-day ride takes you through the Rail Trail, the long beaches of the National Seashore, and the country back roads.
- South Shore: Although this ride might sound intimidating when those who got their rental car in Boston hear that it's 35 miles long, its flat paths are perfect for new riders with limited endurance.
- Great Island: You抣l pass horseback riders along this 26-mile trail.
- Duxbury Beach: You can take a short bike ride along the piers or ride further into the countryside on this free, half-day route.
- The Reservations Ride: This 20-mile loop will take you past Noanet Woodlands, Rocky Woods, Fork Factory Brook, Chase Woodlands, Peters Reservation, and Ridge Hill Reservation.
- Willowdale Forest: Best suited for mountain bikers, this path is a little further out, an hour outside of Boston.
- Newport: This ride offers an ocean view, and is ideal for those who got their rental car in Boston during the off-season.
- Whitney and Thayer Woods: You can either bike or hike up to the 187-foot summit of Turkey Hill where you can revel in the spectacular view of Cohasset Harbor and the South Shore.
- City Square Park: Right inside Boston itself, this trail lets you enjoy a quiet haven right near Market Square.
- The streets of Boston: Thanks to the efforts of the city of Boston and its residents, Boston can boast of being one of the bike-friendliest cities where drivers are used to accommodating cyclists on the road.
- Minuteman Bikeway: Running from Arlington to Bedford, this smooth roadway takes you into the suburbs where you抣l have fewer intersections to face.

Bike Path Maps

Those who got their rental car in Boston can get a map of the bike trails in and around Boston compliments of the city of Boston at http://www.cityofboston.gov/Images_Documents/bostonbikesmap_tcm3-14074.pdf.

Over 200 cyclists contributed to the creation of the map by ranking each path based on its suitability for riders with different skill levels. Although their opinions are subjective, their ratings were averaged and take into account factors such as hills, intersection safety, bike accommodation, pavement quality, and vehicle speed.

For more information on Boston bike paths, travelers who got their rental car in Boston can visit the official city of Boston website at http://www.cityofboston.gov/bikes/ or contact the Boston Bikes program at (617) 918-4456 or by emailing nicole.freedman.bra@cityofboston.gov.