EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIKING IN BUFFALO, NY
People know Buffalo, NY for its snowstorms but, when summer rolls around, there is no better way to see the city than by bike.
As urban designer Frederick Olmsted said, “Buffalo is America’s best designed city”. Buffalo is a magical place to explore by bicycle, especially in the warmer weather. But what are the best bike rides and how do you plug into what’s happening?
Riding in any new city can be challenging and dangerous. That’s why we put together our Insiders Guide to Biking Buffalo. In this resource, you’ll find cool bike events that are going on in town as well as safe, interesting routes. Whether you’re a tourist or a local looking for some new routes, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about biking in Buffalo, NY in 2021.
(Full disclosure: we rent bikes and lead food tours and history tours by bike, which bring you to many of the city’s best sightseeing spots – all on two wheels!)
Buffalo Bike Tours takes the guesswork out of where are the best Buffalo bike rides with Bike There, Buffalo!. The series of 5 self guided bike tours include real time navigation, cue sheets, and curated landmarks. To access the program, download the Ride With GPS app and follow the steps on this page. Then, sit back and enjoy the ride!
MOST SCENIC BIKE RIDE: WATERFRONT LOOP
Some of Buffalo’s best biking lies just outside its downtown core. On the Waterfront Loop, you’ll ride bike trails to explore the city’s history with great views of the waterfront. Cycle by Buffalo’s towering grain silos, see the city’s industrial past, and take bike trails through nature preserves.
Moreover, on this bike ride you’ll see “old” and “new” Buffalo collide, with plenty of places to pull up and enjoy a sunset. Grab some wings and locally-crafted beer as you bike on the Buffalo River.
GO TO ROUTE
BEST HIDDEN HISTORY BIKE RIDE: THE EAST SIDE LOOP
This bike ride will take you on an incredible journey into Buffalo’s rich Polish history and Black history. While some stretches of this ride have seen disinvestment, you’ll learn about the real issues that have shaped Buffalo. You’ll also see how the area’s new immigrants are making strides towards revitalization.
GO TO ROUTE
BEST CLASSIC BIKE RIDE: OLMSTED PAN AM LOOP
City planner Frederick Olmsted is best known for designing New York City’s Central Park. But his real masterpiece is in Buffalo, where he laid out a series of 7 parks, perfect for an afternoon bike ride. On the Olmsted Loop, you’ll cruise through breathtaking greenery and turn-of-the-century architecture.
Ride through downtown to Linwood Avenue, where wide bike lanes make a breezy cruise past mansions. Then it’s to Omlsted’s parkways and Delaware Park. You’ll see the former fairgrounds of the 1901 Pan American Exposition and the site of William McKinley’s assassination. Take a pit stop at the Hotel Henry before biking down the Niagara River Path and Lasalle Park back to Buffalo Bike Tours.
GO TO ROUTE
BEST SELFIE OPP BIKE RIDE: PUBLIC ART LOOP
Buffalo is fast becoming a center for public art, thanks to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Started in 2013, the program is a partnership between the museum, City of Buffalo, and Erie County. It aims to enhance our urban landscape, create stronger neighborhoods, and establish Buffalo as a cultural center.
On this tour you’ll see many of the city’s greatest hits, including the Freedom Wall, Shark Girl, and Wildflowers of Buffalo – the city’s largest mural. Wild abstractions and massive celebrations of color make a fun bike ride. Add in comic book-style paintings and graffiti art, and you’ll be taking selfies along the way. Enjoy our open-air museum…by bike!
GO TO ROUTE
BEST WHISTLE STOP BIKE RIDE: ARCHITECTURE LOOP
Buffalo was founded on a rich tradition of architectural experimentation. This tour takes in buildings designed by local superstars like E. B. Green and Louise Bethune (the first woman architect). We’ll also see buildings by American architecture masters Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This tour is all about how Buffalo is one of the most architecturally significant cities in America.
GO TO ROUTE
HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THESE BIKE RIDES AGAIN?
We know that’s a lot of info! No worries – just click the button below for full info on downloading all 5 Bike There Buffalo routes.
Don’t want to deal with technology? Snag a copy of the Bike There Buffalo book.
In conjunction with these bike rides, we also have a corresponding book, with instructions, photos, and full-color maps. Order the book for just $3 + shipping. Pick one up below and we’ll mail one to you.
BIKE ORGANIZATIONS & ORGANIZED RIDES
While Bike There Buffalo are our top 5 favorite rides, that just skims the surface! There are scores of bike organizations and organized rides to explore and plug into. Here is our ever growing list of bike friendly events and resources in Buffalo, NY.
SLOW ROLL
Slow Roll Buffalo began in 2014 as a free and inclusive way to bring people from all walks of life together. Join them for a ride if you’re in town on Monday and experience Buffalo like a local.
CAMPUS WHEELWORKS RIDES
Campus Wheelworks is a local institution that hosts weekly Tuesday Night rides. Be forewarned – it can be heavy on the spandex crowd. Don’t worry – they have ride for all skill levels, including an “ice cream ride” for novices.
GOBIKE
GObike is Buffalo’s nonprofit organization that advocates for the city’s bike lanes. They also operate a Community Workshop where you can learn bike maintenance and fix up bikes.
RIDE FOR ROSWELL
Ride For Roswell is one the country’s largest bike fundraisers with more than 8,000 riders and 2,000 volunteers. An annual event, the ride raises funds for cutting-edge cancer research.
ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY
Be sure to also check out Sunday Night Midnight Rides, Reddy Bikeshare, East Side Bike Club, Niagara Frontier Bicycle Club, and Colored Girls Bike Too.
Phew…it’s a busy summer!
Don’t have a bike? No worries! Check out our Buffalo bike rentals. Rates are $15/ hour, $30/ 3 hours, $50/ 24 hours. No machines, hidden fees, or hassles – just great bikes for you to get around town. For an in-depth breakdown, check out our blog post, 5 Essential Tips for Choosing Your Buffalo Bike Rental.
But the best way to get the inside scoop on Buffalo’s bike scene is Buffalo Bike Tours. Our Buffalo history tours bring the city’s past to life through unforgettable stories, songs, humor, and local insight. Or, consider taking one of our Buffalo food tours, where we take you to Buffalo’s best kept secrets – from chicken wing joints to new pop-up restaurants. Check out our entire schedule here.
Ready to discover the real Buffalo? Book your tour now.
