For the casual bicycling weekender, or
for the serious cycling enthusiast, Key Biscayne is the ideal location
to ride a bicycle. Bikes, scooters, roller blades, and golf carts
are the preferred method of transportation around the island. There
are fifteen miles of paved bike
paths winding throughout the island paradise of Key
Biscayne and it is possible to ride safely with children for the entire
day.
To rent a bicycle for an hour, day or week,
“Bicycle Bill” at Mangrove
Cycle can help you out with a full array of bicycles for all ages,
all heights, helmets, and infant seats. Law requires that anyone
under the age of 15 must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. For
those over 15 years of age, helmets are optional.
Bicycles are also available for rent from
Sonesta
Beach Resort. Starting from the middle of the island (where you
can rent a bike) your first decision will be the direction you will ride.
To the south is Cape
Florida, featuring the Cape Florida Lighthouse with bike paths along
Biscayne Bay and through Bill
Baggs State Park.
To the north is the bike path to Crandon
Park where you can ride your bike along a path that is right on one
of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Both directions are highly
recommended and can easily be completed in a day, and usually much less
if you are just an average bicycler.. After all, the island of Key Biscayne
is only approximately 6 miles long by 2 miles wide.
In the center of Key Biscayne is the Village
Green, a 9-acre park with almost half a mile of paved path, perfect for
the young and beginner riders.
It comes down to time, who is with you,
what time of the day you get started, and how much riding you want to do.
Both Cape
Florida and Crandon
Park are destinations in themselves, and both areas have snack shops
and rest rooms at some point along the way. Wear your swimsuit
under your shorts, pack a towel in the bike basket or in a backpack, and
take a bike lock (usually provided with the rental) because you are likely
to be tempted to stop along the way for a dip in the clear, cool waters
surrounding you.
If you ride towards Crandon
Park, you may decide that you want to keep riding. If this is
the case, continue to the north end of the park and follow the bike path
signs that lead to a bike path cutting through the woods and exiting at
Crandon Marina and Sundays on the Bay Restaurant. Cross the street
to the marina side, and from this point you can ride past the charter boats
and stop to watch them fillet their catches. Fresh fish is usually
for sale.
Along Virginia Key, ride right along the
beach and up and over the “Miami Mountain” (William Powell Bridge).
The old drawbridge is adjacent to the new bridge (just missing the middle),
and you can ride your bike along it and watch people fishing from the bridge.
There are no cars, so it is safe for the children here. (Be sure
to wear shoes and watch for stray fish hooks.) There are limited
facilities along Virginia Beach, however there are rest rooms (if you really
really really need to go) and lemonade stands.
Bike rentals are available on Virginia Beach
on the weekends, but it is not recommended to use this as a starting point
if you are staying on Key Biscayne.
If you have a bike rack on your vehicle,
great places to park your car and stage your ride include Virginia Key,
Cape
Florida, or Crandon
Park.
For the serious bikers, there are clubs
that ride Key Biscayne and beyond almost every weekend.