Getting Around Scottsdale on a Bike Might be Easier than You Think

Indian Bend Wash Bike Path, heading south between Indian Bend & McDonald Roads

It’s really pretty easy to get around Scottsdale on a bike.  I can cycle to the bank, the local Albertson’s grocery, or even head down to Trader Joe’s for a few special treats, and pretty much stay on bike paths or lanes.

In 2005, Scottsdale was first recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Silver Level. This was the first time a city without a university received this level of recognition.  This year, Scottsdale’s bike paths were again recognized at the Silver level, an award level that only 12 other cities across the U.S received.  (Tempe was also recognized at the Silver level, and Chandler received the Bronze designation.)

Scottsdale’s network of bicycle friendly roads and paths include:

• 86 miles of bike lanes
• 10 miles of pave shoulders
• 50 miles of bike routes
• 61 miles of pave paths
• 238 miles of unpaved trails

And today, I read that Scottsdale has more bike projects in the works, including:

** Construction of a 10-foot wide multi-use path along the Crosscut Canal between Thomas and Indian Schools roads.

** A tunnel under Chaparral Road to link sections of the multi-use path along the Indian Bend Wash. The improvements will allow users to use the path without having to cross back and forth on Hayden Road.   

** The opening of a tunnel along the Arizona Canal that will allow trail users to go under Goldwater Boulevard and not have to cross traffic.

All projects are scheduled to be completed next winter.

These tunnels will definitely add to an already excellent network of bike paths!

In case you’d like to know a little bit more about cycling in Scottsdale, check out these links, too.

• Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Bike Map 2008 – see how to get from Surprise to Queen Creek via Phoenix and Scottsdale.  Also includes bike path connections to the Light Rail.
• Bicycle Element – Scottsdale Transportation Master Plan – A very interesting 124 page document, with history and plans for bike system.  I learned that the following actions will be targeted for enforcement:
  • Riding against traffic on the roadway
  •  Failure to yield to pedestrians and cyclists riding on the sidewalk
  • Riding at night without lights
  • Violating traffic signal
• Multi-use Path Ordinance – Learn what’s allowed and not on Scottsdale’s multi-use pathways.