 Drive your Bike Instead
Leave the car behind, and Drive your Bike instead to popular destinations from the Cape Cod Canal to Provincetown. Load your bike for free aboard any Breeze or Flex transit bus, or drop off the car in one of the many Park & Ride lots.
Cape Cod Rail Trail – South Dennis to South Wellfleet
“…the best way to travel the Cape, a chance to slow down, and spend quality time with the family on the way to the beach or lunch.” – Boston Globe
The newly-rehabbed Cape Cod Rail Trail follows an old railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills and well-marked vehicle crossings make it ideal. The trail has a wide, unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers and runners.
There are many opportunities to get off the trail. Food and water are available, and public restrooms can be found at Nickerson State Park, the Salt Pond Visitors Center at Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham and the Seashore Headquarters in Wellfleet. Bike rentals are available at many points along the way. For more information call Nickerson State Park at 508-896-3491.
If your destination is Harwich or Chatham, try the Old Colony Rail Trail spur.
In the Works: Construction could begin by 2009 on an extension of the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Rte. 134 in South Dennis, west to the Town of Barnstable border. $3-4 million in federal and state funds will help lengthen the trail on an old rail bed across the Bass River Railroad Bridge through Yarmouth, south of Rte. 6, to Willow Street and Barnstable.
Shining Sea Bikeway – Falmouth to Woods Hole
Falmouth native Katherine Lee Bates penned the tribute, “America the Beautiful”, and its “sea to shining sea” lyric was adapted to brand this charming and functional trail. It winds 3.3 miles along Vineyard Sound, on a former rail bed. Use it to avoid the worst of the seasonal traffic. Connect to/from the bikeway and car, bus and Martha’s Vineyard ferry.
See photos and get directions.
In the Works: During 2008, construction is expected to begin on a 6.5-mile extension from Carlson Lane near the Palmer Avenue overpass in Falmouth to County Road in North Falmouth. Opening is planned for spring 2009.
Cape Cod Canal Bikeway
You’ll never find a better way to travel between the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges than on this 7.5- mile path that’s both generally flat and well paved. It’s ideal for casual cyclists and families. The views are unbeatable too. Find out more.
 Cape Cod National Seashore Bike Trails
World class scenery will greet you as you bike the:
- Nauset Bike Trail in Eastham: Moderate grade - some hills
- Head of the Meadow Bike Trail in Truro: Easy - flat
- Province Lands Bike Trail in Provincetown: Difficult - hills, tight curves, wind-blown sand on trail
In the Works: Sections of the 7.8-mile Province Lands trail will be rehabilitated to improve safety beginning in 2008.
Reminder: bike safety begins with helmets. They are required by Massachusetts law for riders age 16 and under, and strongly recommended for all.
For information, call 508 255-3421 or view trail maps.
For more: Check out the Cape Cod Bike Guide or visit MassBike. You can also call the Cape Cod Chapter of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition at 508 428-5914.
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