Biking

All types of bicyclists will find that the Schuylkill River Heritage Area was made for them. Whether your preference is a rail-trail with a gentle grade, or rolling hills and picturesque valleys, the Heritage Area has roads and trails that provide wonderful bicycling experiences.
For those who prefer challenging trails suitable for mountain bikes, several of the Heritage Area's state parks and other area trails are great for offroad adventures.

WHERE TO BIKE

If you're looking for a bike ride that is suitable for all members of the family, try the Schuylkill River Trail or the Perkiomen Trail. The Schuylkill River Trail, most of which is a Rail-Trail, has a total of 56 completed miles, including a 26-mile section from Oaks to Philadelphia that is mostly paved, and a 19-mile piece from Pottstown to Reading, that is mostly crushed stone. There is also a 6.5 mile piece of the Schuylkill River Trail's Bartram Section in Upper Berks and Schuylkill County that stretches from Hamburg to Auburn. This is a particularly scenic piece of trail, especially in spring and early summer when wildflowers are in bloom. Future plans call for the trail to extend from Philadelphia to Pottsville in Schuylkill County, a distance of about 130 miles. A signed, on-road section of the trail, running about 20 miles from Reading to Hamburg, is expected to be completed by the end of the 2010. This will provide cyclists with a safe route to travel beyond the trail's end in Reading. An off-road Reading-to-Hamburg route will be constructed as land and resources become available.

Mountain bikers will find that many of the region's state, national, and local parks offer great biking opportunities. Bikes are not permitted on any section of the Appalachian Trail or on the roads and trails at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center in Berks County.

Road bikers will enjoy traveling many of the region's back roads as they wind their way past farm fields and small towns and villages. Three official BicyclePA routes cross the Heritage Area and are well marked on local roadways. Beware that some of these routes run along busy roads, and may be suitable for experienced cyclists only.

  • Route E runs 52 miles in PA between Trenton, NJ and the Delaware State line.
  • Route L runs north-south through Chester and Montgomery Counties
  • Route S is the longest bicycle route in PA and runs east-west through Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. Route S intersects with Route L near Hopewell Furnace NHS and French Creek State Park.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia advocates for better on and off road bicycle routes throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Coalition publishes a map of the City of Philadelphia that highlights bicycle friendly routes within the city. The Berks County Bicycle Club also maintains cue sheets of area rides on its website.

STAYING SAFE ON YOUR BIKE

Bikers often face special safety challenges, particularly road bikers. It is important that bikers maintain their vehicles well, and obey all traffic laws and regulations. Here are a few safety tips for both road and mountain bikers:
  • Check your bike regularly. Make sure the tires are full, chains are greased, and the brakes are tight.
  • Always wear a helmet, both on the trail and on the street.
  • Obey all traffic signals and ride with the flow of traffic.
  • Stay off sidewalks in business districts and where prohibited by ordinance. Please be aware that it is illegal to ride a bike on any sidewalk in the City of Philadelphia.
  • Wear light color clothing and reflective tape or lights if riding at night
  • Wear the proper attire for the type of biking you plan to do.
  • Check the weather before your trip.