Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Free Urban Biking Experiences

Locations in this article:  San Francisco, CA

Whether you’re a cycling fanatic or a total beginner, there are free experiences in cities around the country. And the good news is, even out-of-towners are invited for the ride.

There are online resources to find biking groups all over the country.

Check out the Web site Meetup.com—all you have to do is type in “bicycle” and your destination city, and you’ll find upcoming group rides that anyone can join. There are also loosely organized community groups that plan outings.

One California group called ”Midnight Ridazz” involves gatherings of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of cyclists hitting the streets on pre-planned routes. Just be sure you’re aware of what you’re getting into.

If you’re not comfortable with urban biking, but want to explore a city on two wheels, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The DC-based Washington Area Bicyclist Association offers a free weekly Confident City Cycling program with both classroom and outdoor experiences.

The San Francisco Bike Coalition has a similar program, with free workshops taught by expert riders.

You see, what’s great about these communities is that they’re serious about spreading the gospel of bicycling, so there are resources out there for anyone who is interested.

Learn more about biking here.

Find more of Peter’s Travel Tips here.