Bakersfield is Made for Bike Adventures

(Photo credit Peter Wollesen)

With more than 170 miles of bike trails, lanes, and paths, Bakersfield is made for bike adventures!

Start with our more-than-30-mile paved path along the Kern River. The Kern River Parkway Trail takes you through preserved riparian habitat, where you might see rabbits, roadrunners, and other wildlife, all protected from development. Easy access is provided by several free parking lots along the way, as well as links to local roadways, so you can ride the Kern River Parkway Trail a section at a time or all in one day.

The trail also provides a convenient link to California State University, Bakersfield, and a connecting path through the university takes you to shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, and a hotel. Visit Bakersfield's Ride the Kern River Parkway Trail brochure provides details and a map. Download it here or pick up a free copy at Visit Bakersfield, 515 Truxtun Avenue.

Looking for something more challenging? Try the route some of the world’s best cyclists rode when they visited Bakersfield in 2012 for the Amgen Tour of California. The time-trial course featured 18.4 miles of rolling terrain, including more than 850 feet of ascent. Ride the route that challenged the champions!

Not many communities have a 30 mile green belt winding through their city, or an outstanding world-class time-trial course, so bring your bike with you to ride these routes yourself. The Amtrak San Joaquins line offers free bicycle racks on a first-come, first-served basis on all of its trains, with no reservations required. Unboxed bicycles can also be put in the bin under connecting Amtrak Thruway buses. When you arrive, both Golden Empire Transit and Kern Transit buses offer free bike racks on their buses. That means you and your bike can get to locations throughout Bakersfield or to many outlying Kern County communities, as well as the Lancaster and Santa Clarita Metrolink stations.

Whatever your cycling level, Bakersfield is made for bike adventures!