It's easy and pleasant to ride from the center of Boston along the Esplanade and the Charles River all the way to Harvard Square in Cambridge (map)—and even to Lexington and Concord.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of biking in Boston and Cambridge is the ease and cheapness of parking: any bike rack, street sign or lamppost will do, and it's free.

Bring a strong lock or heavy chain to prevent theft, especially if you have a fancy bike.

The Hubway Bike-Sharing System

Boston's short-trip public bike-sharing system, called The Hubway, has over 100 bike stations around the city, with more than 1000 bikes available from mid-March to Thanksgiving (late November). More...

Bike Paths

Boston has instituted bike paths on some major streets (such as Massachusetts Avenue), but it's more pleasant to ride on the Dr Paul Dudley White Bicycle Paths along both sides of the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge.

Here's information on major Massachusetts public bike paths.

The Minuteman Bikeway can take you from Boston through Cambridge, Arlington and Lexington to Bedford, 11 miles (18 km) to the west (map). From Bedford, you can bike the few remaining miles on the Bay Circuit Trail (map) via Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, or by MA Route 62, to Concord if you wish.

Bikes on Commuter Rail Trains

You and your bike can take a Commuter Rail train from Boston to many other bikable communities: Cambridge, Concord, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Salem, Gloucester, Rockport, etc.

Bikes are permitted on Commuter Rail trains during off-peak hours (10 am to 2 pm and after 7:30 pm) on weekdays, and all day Saturday and Sunday. You need no special permit or reservation, and you pay no extra fare, to bring your bike aboard. Load it in the car nearest the locomotive. More...

Guided Bicycle Tours of Boston

Urban Adventours rents bikes and conducts guided bicycle tours of Boston from its office at 103/109 Atlantic Avenue near the corner of Richmond Street, right across from Christopher Columbus Park, in the North End (map).

Boston Cyclists' Union

Over a thousand Boston-area cyclists have banded together in the Boston Cyclists' Union to work for better conditions for bikers: biker and driver education, safer bike paths, better parking facilities for bikes, etc. The Union sponsors special events, too. More...

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