To keep the wheels spinning on National Bike Month, we rounded up some off the chain resources for KC cyclists — bike trails, maps, civic info, and a couple spots to hit the handbrake and fuel up your bike’s engine (by which we mean, you).
Biking trails
- The Longview Bike Trail begins at Shelter 14 in Longview Lake Park, winds along the lake front, and ends at Shelter 9 in O’Donnell Park. Don’t have a bike? Rent one when you get there.
- Blue River Parkway Mountain Bike Trails include 20+ miles of varying difficulty. Trail segments can be found generally between Bannister Road south to Blue Ridge Boulevard.
- Swope Park Mountain Bike Trail currently has around 10 miles of trails set up in a stacked loop fashion. The trails range from flowy to extremely rocky and fairly technical.
Map it out
Looking to plan your own route — or your commute for Bike to Work Week (today-Sunday, May 19)?
The Mid-America Regional Council keeps a handy dandy map of map of regional bikeways, which keeps track of everything from separated lanes to mountain bike trails.
KC bikeability
Most metro cyclists will know that we’re still very much a car city. In fact, Walk Score ranked KCMO at 35 out of 100 on its bikeability meter, and KCK ranked 28.
But it’s not all doom and gloom: bikeability is one of the core pillars of Greenline KC, a proposed 10-mile trail loop around greater downtown.
Cycling hangouts
Spokes Café | Various locations | With cafes in downtown and Midtown, this breakfast + lunch spot is the perfect first stop on your commute.
Velo Garage and Taphouse | 1403 Swift St., North Kansas City, MO | The taproom and attached bike shop hosts cycling events like the Thirstday Night Ride.
River Bluff Brewing | 201 Main St., Ste. 101, KCMO | Not technically a biker brewery, but River Bluff is right next door to Cycle City and a quick jaunt from the Riverfront Heritage Trail.
