6 Most Bike-Friendly Towns on the Atlantic Coast
Biking along the Atlantic Coast offers a scenic and invigorating way to explore the region’s most charming small towns. From the vibrant streets of Provincetown, Massachusetts, to the sunny shores of Key West, Florida, cyclists can enjoy diverse landscapes and coastal beauty. Get up early, ride along a classic New Jersey boardwalk, discover Virginia’s Cape Charles, and explore the Carolinas. The best way to see these six small coastal towns is on two wheels.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a pretty beach town on the tip of Cape Cod, where casual single-speed beach cruising is a way of life. Think brightly-colored beach cruisers with a comfortable seat and a bell to ring. With just under 4,000 full-time residents, the town has at least six bike rental shops, like Ptown Bikes, Provincetown Bike Rentals, and Arnold’s Bike Shop, who have been renting bikes since 1937. PeopleForBikes—a non-profit that advocates for better biking infrastructure, policies, and safety—ranked Provincetown #1 in New England, #1 in Massachusetts, #2 in the United States, and #2 Worldwide in the 2024 ratings. High marks for a town with 21 bike trails.
Provincetown’s Bicycle Committee prints an annual bike route map and distributes it around town. One of the most popular trails is the Province Lands Bike Trail, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and whales, seals, and dolphins off the shoreline. The trail leads riders directly to Race Point Beach or Herring Cove Beach, so bring a swimsuit.
Ocean City, New Jersey
A much-loved destination for families is the beachside town of Ocean City, New Jersey, with just over 11,000 residents. Body surfing in the salt water may get all the glory, but cycling along the iconic 2.5-mile boardwalk is a popular activity, but limited to the hours of 5 am and 12 noon due to the heavy pedestrian traffic. Renting a bicycle directly on the boardwalk is easy, so check out 12th Street Bike Rentals and get a coffee-to-go at Ocean City Coffee Company, or go for an apple cider donut at Oves Restaurant and rent a bike from them at the same time.
Another popular trail is the Ocean City Bike Path, which winds its way across the Rainbow Channel bridges to Somers Point, offering beautiful photo ops of the coastline. The trail begins at 35th Street, but riders can hop on anywhere along Haven Avenue. After 2.75 miles, the path sharply turns onto East 9th Street, then merges with the Stainton Memorial Causeway Bridge, a 2.2-mile stretch that leads out to Somers Point, crossing several islands. Cyclists can enjoy sweeping views of Great Egg Harbor Bay as they ride over the causeway.
Cape Charles, Virginia
Often called “Virginia’s Cape” due to its location at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Charles is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Landlubbers can hike and bike, while aquaphiles can enjoy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating activities. One of the best ways to appreciate the pretty coastal town is to rent a beach cruiser from Poseidon Water Sports, then ride down the beautiful tree-lined streets, welcoming storefronts and Chesapeake Bayfront beach. Explore the town's shops, galleries, and eateries, like the funky Shanty Seafood and Brown Dog Ice Cream, without worrying about parking.
Cape Charles is renowned for having one of the largest concentrations of turn-of-the-century buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and its 1828 landmark, Cape Charles Light, which stands at 191 feet tall and is the second tallest lighthouse in the US. The lighthouse is on Smith Island, just north of the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, but cyclists can view the Light from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Scenic Overview 1995.
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
One of the best ways to explore the beautiful beach town of Emerald Isle on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is by bicycle. Besides the benefits of exercise, it is a family-friendly activity perfect for enjoying sea breezes as cyclists discover the North Carolina coastline. Isle Cycle is an excellent spot to rent everything from single-speed cruisers to Pedego electric bikes to tandems. The 11-mile Emerald Isle Path extends from Indian Beach to the Bogue Inlet Pier, a popular fishing spot with ocean views where riders can fuel up for the ride back at Surf’s Up Grill & Bar.
Along the way, there are plenty of reasons to park the bikes, like enjoying the tube and matt slides at the Salty Pirate Waterpark or challenging the family to a round of mini-golf at Emerald Forest Golf. Emerald Isle Woods Park is a 41-acre maritime forest with hiking trails, a floating dock, and a disc golf course. PeopleForBikes ranked Emerald Isle #1 in North Carolina for its bike-friendly vibe.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
There’s no better place to cycle in a stunning natural setting than Hilton Head Island. With more than 60 miles of bike paths connecting cyclists to anywhere they might want to go, including the beach, the island town is ranked a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Bicyclists. With almost 30 bicycle rental shops, like Hilton Head Bicycle, Avocado Bikes for electric bikes, and Hilton Head Outfitters & Bike Rentals, located inside Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, visitors can spend a few carefree (and car-free) days cruising around town.
For a fun route that includes stops along the way, use the paths along Queens Folly Road to Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina. Have lunch at the Dunes House, or pick up takeaway from Big Jim’s BBQ, then explore the shops at the marina and pick up a map at the pathway kiosk. The kiosks are located all over the island and will link riders to trails with lots of info. Make a pit stop at the Coastal Discovery Museum and tour the Lowcountry on the museum’s 68-acre property.
Key West, Florida
Key West is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts because it is easy to navigate, and the town is only 4.2 square miles. Low-speed limits, flat terrain, and ample bike racks make the island very bike-friendly, allowing visitors to travel through scenic neighborhoods or hop on any of the trails lined with breathtaking views. Renting a bike is easy at Eaton Bikes, which has cruisers, tandems, hybrids, bike trailers, and more.
One of the best ways to bike across Key West while seeing several key landmarks along the route is the action-packed 1-mile ride on the Whitehead Street Bikeway. Start at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, where cyclists can learn all about the 1985 discovery of the Isaac Allerton, a ship that hit a reef in 1856. Hop back on the bike and ride past the US 1-Mile Marker 0, the Hemingway Home & Museum, and the Key West Lighthouse, where riders can stretch their legs on the 88-stair climb to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of the island and surrounding turquoise waters. The Whitehead Street Bikeway ends at The Southernmost Point of the Continental United States, 90 miles to Cuba. It is the most photographed spot on Key West; get there early before the crowds show up.
Take a fun-filled biking adventure through the most charming coastal towns in the US. Imagine cruising along vibrant beach trails in Provincetown or pedaling down Ocean City’s iconic boardwalk, with ocean breezes and great photo ops at every turn. Cape Charles, Virginia, offers a ride through history with its tree-lined streets and Chesapeake Bay views. Over in Emerald Isle, riders can explore the coast on a scenic 11-mile path with plenty of stops for beach fun. Hilton Head Island is a biker's paradise with 60 miles of trails, and in Key West, riders can cycle past famous landmarks. Cycling along the Atlantic Coast offers a blend of scenic beach paths, historic routes, and charming coastal towns, perfect for leisurely rides with stunning ocean views.
