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You want to explore the city of San Antonio and stay physically fit. Whether you have a bike or not, there are lots of opportunities to discover San Antonio’s heritage and enjoy what nature has to offer while cycling in San Antonio, Texas.
The city has set a goal to increase bike ridership for daily commutes as well as improve bike safety and provide an accessible biking network, creating a rise in cycling opportunities.
You can go exploring on your own or do one of the many bike tours offered in the city. Whether you want to visit museums, the zoo, or simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, we’ve got you covered; read on!
5 Top Places to Cycle in San Antonio
While there are plenty of parks and trails in San Antonio, we’ve managed to narrow our list down to the top five. You can use this as your starting point if you’re planning to stay for a while.
If you know of a trail that we didn’t include on our list, be sure to share it in the comments!
1. Brackenridge Park
Brackenridge Park is an excellent park for riders of any kind, with paved roads and off-road trails. This 343-acre park has a rich history and is home to some ancient trees. It’s no surprise that there are many things to do in a recreation area of its size, including visiting the Japanese Gardens that are a part of the park.
Bracken Ridge Park is home to the San Antonio Zoo as well. If you’re interested in a longer ride through Brackenridge Park, you may enjoy this route.
Besides the bike trails and other attractions, Brackenridge Park offers excellent picnic spots and proximity to central downtown with access to museums, food, and entertainment.
If you want to do a quick ride in this park and use the Strava app, you should check out the Monkey Loop. It’s a short 0.23-mile ride, but it will give you a quick peek at what the park has to offer.
2. Salado Creek Greenway
The Salado Creek Greenway offers 7.2 miles of trail, although some rides are even longer. It’s perfect for a ride on a hot sunny day since it provides shade for a good stretch of the course, thanks to the trees that tower both sides of the path.
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll enjoy seeing animals that call water sources their home. In addition to the animals, you’ll also experience the beauty of Cedar, Elm, Mountain Laurel, Mesquite, Juniper, Oak, and Pecan trees.
If you prefer riding rocky paths, you can find one behind the electrical tower. You won’t find crowds on this path, and it takes you to a system of unpaved single and double track trails.
You’ll want to be careful when crossing the 410 access road. Strava app users can check out the Downhill McAllister. It’s another short ride, with a distance of 0.29 miles, but it should give you an idea of what else the Greenway has to offer.
3. Leon Creek Greenway
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis recently designated the Leon Creek Greenway as one of the National Recreation Trails (NRT). The trail is 13 miles long, and it connects to numerous neighboring parks, which is excellent if you want to go on an extended bike ride.
While riding this trail, you can connect to O.P. Schnabel Park, Bamberger National Park, Cathedral Rock Park, Pearsil Park, and Earl Scott Pond.
You’re sure to discover more trails when you check out those parks. You can also access the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from this trail. While traveling the Leon Creek Greenway, you can enjoy the views of the limestone bluffs, heritage trees, and wildflower fields.
If you use Strava, you may want to check out Click Clack East. It’s a 1.11-mile ride to give you a taste of what types of views the Greenway has to offer you.
4. O.P. Schnabel Park
O.P. Schnabel Park offers a 4.7 mile loop trail. You don’t have to worry about your experience level when you ride this trail since it’s suitable for all skill levels. There are many trails available, so you can choose whether you want to go for a long ride or a short trek. The park is known to have rocky terrain and a homemade BMX-style area perfect for mountain bike riders and adventurous kids.
If you’re looking for a trail to check out in this park and you use Strava, you may want to check out the path Countour. It’s a short ride and more of a speed test, but you’ll get to check out the trail.
5. Medina River Greenway
The Medina River Greenway has a 3.5 mile connecting the Pleasanton Trailhead to Mattox Park. You can enjoy beautiful sights since the trail runs close to the edge of Mitchell Lake. Enjoy the views as you encounter seasonal birds and large Pecan, Oak, and Cypress trees. You’ll also encounter working farms along the trail.
If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate the historic landmarks along the way, such as Native American civilizations and ruins from Spanish colonial periods. You can get your workout while taking in the history lesson with slopes of up to 8.3 percent in two different spots. Strava users should check out The Shell Station Stretch. It is 3.23 miles long, which should allow you to experience some of what the trail has to offer.
Bike Rentals and Tours around San Antonio
A Google search will provide you with a list of companies that offer bike rentals and tours. From recumbent bikes to electric bikes, there’s something for everyone! Here are just a few of the options for you to check out:
San Antonio Bike Tours
- Rental includes recumbent bike, helmet, and radio intercom system
- This tour goes through Brackenridge Park, as well as several other locations (King William District, the Alamo, La Villita, etc).
- You can also request a public or private tour
- Tours range from 7 to 25 miles
- 4-hour tour consists of a snack, 6-hour tour includes dinner at one of tour guide, Steve Wood’s favorite restaurants
Mission Adventure Tours
- Regular bikes and e-bikes available for rent
- Historic Spanish Missions bike tour for two or three hours
- Prices include bike rental, helmet, bike lock, 10-liter backpack or bike basket, walkie-talkie, and monetary donation to each mission.
- Upgrade to e-bike for $25 per person
Cycling San Antonio
- Cycle recently developed Mission Reach hike and bike trails
- The trail follows the perimeter of the San Antonio river
- 4-hour, 5-hour, and 7-hour tours. The most extended tour is for experienced riders.
- Tour prices include bike rental, helmet, water bottle, and light snack
San Antonia, Tx Bicycle Laws
It would help if you remember we’re not legal experts, but we can share what we know about San Antonio’s bike laws.
Road Rules
- According to the city ordinance, riding your bike on sidewalks is not permitted. The only exception to this rule is law enforcement and emergency personnel.
- The law also states that you must keep one hand on the handlebar at all times, and you can’t carry more people than the stated bike capacity.
- Most bike laws fall under Texas state law, which requires bike operators to abide by the same rights and duties as an operator of a motorized vehicle, which means no riding under the influence.
Helmets/Lights
- There aren’t any helmet laws in Texas, but they do have light requirements for night riders that include a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector or red lamp visible from the same distance.
Group Riding
- You can ride side-by-side with other riders as long as it doesn’t limit traffic’s natural flow.
- Riding against traffic is illegal. You must all ride with traffic.
- If you’re riding side by side on a split road, you must be in a single lane
E-Bikes
- E-bikes must be parked somewhere that provides ample space between pedestrians, buildings, and pathways.
- You cannot ride on sidewalks or near pedestrians.
- You must use bike lanes when available.
Final Words
There are lots of great bike trails in San Antonio to enjoy, whether you’re looking to enjoy nature or take in a museum on the way. There are trails for riders that prefer paved trails and others for those who prefer a mountain bike experience. There is a lot of history, culture, and nature to experience in the many bike trails of San Antonio. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to have fun and stay safe!
Do you have a favorite trail? Let us know in the comments! If you found this a helpful article, please feel free to share it with others.
