Avid Houston cyclists have been working long and hard to ensure that the Bayou City has a diverse variety of bike trails. In 2017, the city implemented a 10-year plan to become a Gold Level Bike-Friendly City. Now, with the recent explosive popularity of bike riding, it means Houston has more bike riders than ever before. The time is right for exploring the cycling scene this vibrant community has been working so hard to create. These are some of the best places for a bike ride near our apartments in Houston, TX.

Buffalo Bayou Loop Trail

The Buffalo Bayou Trail, also known as the Sandy Reed Memorial Trail, is a combination of smaller bike trails that make up the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston's 160-acre, 10-square-mile green space. This spacious concrete and asphalt biking trail represents one of downtown Houston's best opportunities for longer-distance cycling. You can expect expansive views of the city as you wind your way under roads and through multiple waterfront parks. Starting at about 5 miles, you can stretch the length of this scenic loop trail to over 10 miles with some creative planning. Be prepared to share this popular bike trail with others during peak times.

Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail

Switch up between asphalt and dirt trails on the Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail. These different bike trails range from .9 to 1.6 miles and can all be combined to make for a full day of cycling. This beautiful ride takes you over bridges and creeks, under shade trees with benches and even has a bit of elevation change. You can pick up this trail off Highway 6 on Memorial Drive and head East toward Highway 8. If you start from Highway 8 and head West, you can extend your bike ride into George Bush Park.

Columbia Tap Rail-Trail

Columbia Tap Rail-Trail traces its roots back to the 19th century Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway. Now, this 4-mile roundtrip bike trail in Houston's Third Ward passes right through TSU on its way to Bray's Bayou Greenway. To extend your ride, hop onto Bray's Bayou Greenway Trail and ride to the 445-acre Hermann Park. Many similar ways to connect trails exist all along the planned 1800 miles of the Houston Bikeways Program.

If you want to stop for a well-deserved treat after riding on one of these bike trails, grab some of the best gelato in Houston. If you're searching for apartments in Houston, TX, with a vibrant community, contact us. We would love to give you a tour of Lincoln Heights.