wellness
New Protected Cycling Paths Expand Across Bastille Parks for Families
New protected paths in city green spaces give parents and new riders dedicated lanes away from traffic.
How we reported this
Bastille added 4.2 miles of family-designated cycling paths this month inside Riverside District parks, with barriers separating riders from motor vehicles on the main loops.
The routes opened July 1 after the city wellness office completed safety upgrades along Elm Street and Maple Avenue. Parents in Bastille have asked for more protected spaces because weekend traffic on those corridors increased 18 percent last summer. The new paths connect directly to the Bastille Cycling Club headquarters at Oakwood Park, where volunteers run free Saturday clinics for riders under age 12.
Key routes now open
One loop starts at the east entrance of Central Park and runs 1.8 miles along the river levee before ending at the playground on Willow Lane. A second route begins at the Bastille Greenway trailhead on Third Street and circles the fitness stations at Maple Grove for 2.4 miles of flat pavement. Both paths stay under 3 percent grade and include rest stops every half mile with water fountains and repair stands stocked by the parks department.
City records show 312 families registered for the club’s beginner program in the first week of July, up from 187 the same period last year. Rentals at the Oakwood Park kiosk cost $12 for a child bike and $18 for an adult model, available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Practical steps for first rides
Club leaders recommend starting on the Central Park loop during weekday mornings before 10 a.m. when foot traffic stays light. Riders should wear helmets and carry the free route map available at the Bastille wellness office on Fourth Street. The next group ride for beginners meets at 8:30 a.m. on July 12 at the Elm Street entrance, with staff on hand to adjust seats and check brakes before departure.