Health Benefits of Biking

• Biking is a low impact exercise. Biking causes less strain and inuries than many other forms of exercise.


• Biking offers muscle workout. Biking uses all major muscle groups as you pedal, especially up-hill.


• Biking improves strength, stamina, and aerobic fitness.


• Biking is an excellent means of transportation for short or even longer distances.


• Biking is flexible and can be used to build up endurance.


• Biking is good for beginners since you can vary the intensity of a bike ride by initially riding on flat trails rather than hills, and by biking at low speeds.

Biking with Kids

Biking is ranked among the best activities for kids and most kids really enjoy biking. When planning a biking trip, let the child's ability guide you. Some kids are more comfortable on a bike than others, so when selecting a bike trail include your children when selecting a bike trail.

Benefits of biking with kids are many. Biking allows you to share an experience or adventure with your child where you can discover nature as you bike one of many excellent Hudson Valley biking paths. Biking benefits include breathing fresh air, nature study where you learn about birds, small animals, wild flowers, trees, and more about the natural world around us.

You can work together with your child to map out and determine the biking route that best suits you and your child's ability. Show them maps with biking trails and teach them how to read these biking maps. In addition to the many benefits listed above, biking is good for your mental and physical health, and biking is mostly a free activity. Biking is within reach of most people that are reasonably healthy, regardless of financial circumstances.

Involve your child in the planning stages of preparing a family biking trip. Select a trail together, and then create a simple map that your child can read while on the trail. You can also teach the child how to read trail markers. If your child is not initially interested in biking, you may want to reward your child at the end of a bike for helping to find the biking markers and the way forward or back to home base. This added incentive may encourage your child to enjoy the biking experience.

During the preparation phase of the bike, give children a list of biking essentials and let them pack their own biking bag or backpack. The backpack should include gear similar to your own such as a whistle, rainwear, compass, and first-aid kit. In addition to involving the children in adventures of biking they will feel grownup and responsible as you work together to make the bike trip a success.

When collecting supplies for your bike trip, always include plenty of water, healthy snacks that your child enjoys, and a map that your child can read. Involve them in decisions of where to bike as you would involve another adult. Here are some suggestions toward building a successful biking experience with kids:


• Invite your child's friend so they can share the adventure together; as we all know, "Grownups can get boring."


• Pack protein snacks that are good for the kids and that they enjoy eating.


• In cool weather, pack warm dry clothes and backup clothing.


• Plan a biking trip with a special activity or attraction at the end of the trail. For example:

Boating area - Boating at Fahnestock State Park
Fishing pond - Fishing in Hudson River Valley
Nature Museum - Trailside Museum in Pound Ridge
Picnic area - Picnicking in Hudson River Valley
Zoo (Bear Mountain) - Bear Mountain Attractions

The most important thing to remember is that biking should be fun. Don't stress if you cannot complete your biking trip, or if it starts to rain, or if it's too hot. Just enjoy the time you have together. These memories will last a lifetime for both you, your children, and your whole family.

Westchester Biking Trails
Enjoy many of the best biking trails in Westchester County offering some of the most beautiful trails and excellent biking opportunities for beginning bikers, intermediate bikers; and experienced bikers looking for a challenge. Although Westchester borders New York City, it offers many beautiful places to bike that are secluded from noise and pollution. Westchester abounds with stunning mountain, lake, and Hudson River landscapes. Immerse yourself in the natural world and plan a day biking the trails of Westchester County.

Biking in Bedford and Pound Ridge: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Biking trails in Bronxville: Bronx River Pathway
Biking trails in Cortlandt Manor: Croton Gorge Park & Historic Croton Dam
Biking trails in Dobbs Ferry: Old Croton Aqueduct State Park
Biking trails in Mount Pleasant: Graham Hills Mountain Bike Trail
Biking trails in Mount Pleasant: Graham Hills Park
Biking trails in Ossining: Kitchawan Preserve
Biking trails in Peekskill: Blue Mountain Bike Trail
Biking trails in Peekskill: Blue Mountain Reservation
Biking trails in Peekskill: Depew Park
Biking trails in Valhalla: Bronx River Greenway
Biking trails in Valhalla: Bronx River Parkway Reservation
Biking trails in Valhalla: Kensico Dam Plaza
Biking trails in Northern Westchester: North County Trailway
Biking trails in Southern Westchester: South County Trailway
Biking trails in Yonkers: Sprain Ridge Mountain Bike Trail
Biking trails in Yonkers: Tibbetts Brook Park and Pool
Biking trails in Yorktown Heights: Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

Rockland Biking Trails
Rockland offers biking trails for all levels of bikers. Beginner, intermediate, and experienced bikers can find bike trails at the following parks and locations.

Biking trails in Bear Mountain: Bear Mountain Park
Biking trails in Bear Mountain: Perkins Point
Biking trails in Haverstraw: Haverstraw Beach State Park
Biking trails in Nyack: Hook Mountain State Park
Biking trails in Nyack: Nyack Beach State Park
Biking trails in Rockland County: 7 Lakes Scenic Drive
Biking trails in Rockland County: Anthony Wayne Recreation Area
Biking trails in Rockland County: Harriman State Park
Biking trails in Rockland County: Long Path Trail: Hiking Hudson Palisades
Biking trails in Rockland County: Sebago Cabin Camp - Harriman State Park
Biking trails in Rockland County: Silver Mine - Harriman State Park
Biking trails in Rockland County: Tallman Mountain State Park
Biking trails in Valley Cottage: Rockland Lake State Park

Putnam Biking Trails
Biking Trails in the mid-Hudson Valley include: Biking trails in Putnam where state parks and rail-trails offer miles of biking paths for the beginning, intermediate and advanced bikers. Check this list of places to bike in Putnam County.

Biking trails in Carmel: Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Biking trails in Putnam County: Putnam Trailway

Orange County Biking Trails
Biking Trails in the mid-Hudson Valley include : Biking in Orange County offering beginner to advanced biking trails for all levels of bikers. Check for places to bike in Orange County, New York.

Biking trails in Orange County: Harriman State Park in Orange County
Biking trails in Newburgh: Chadwick Lake Park Bike Trail
Biking trails in Tuxedo Park: Sterling Forest State Park


On-Road Bicycle Routes in Orange County Find list of several on-road bicycle routes in Orange County. Remember that bicyclists are required to learn and obey the same laws as motorists.


On-road Bicycle Route 17: State Bicycle Route 17
On-road Bicycle Route 208: State Bicycle Route 208
On-road Bicycle Route 209: State Bicycle Route 209
On-road Bicycle Route 9: State Bicycle Route 9

Dutchess County Biking Trails
Biking Trails in the mid-Hudson Valley also include Biking in Dutchess County offering beginner, moderate, and advanced biking paths for all levels of bikers. Check this list of places to bike in Dutchess, New York.

Experienced bikers can find great biking in Dutchess:
Biking trails in Beacon: Hudson Highlands State Park
Biking trails in Dutchess: Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Dutchess County
Biking trails in Millerton Village: Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond Area
Biking trails in Fishkill: Fishkill Ridge
Biking trails in Pleasant Valley: James Baird State Park
Biking trails in Staatsburg: Mills Norrie State Park
Biking trails in Staatsburg: Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park
Biking trails in Wappingers Falls: Bowdoin Park

Shorter bikes for the beginning biker and intermediate biker include
Biking trails in Beacon: Long Dock Park
Biking trails in Beacon: Madam Brett Park
Biking trails in Dutchess: Harlem Valley Rail Trail - Dutchess
Biking trails in Pawling: Lakeside Park
Biking trails in Poughkeepsie: Quiet Cove Riverfront Park
Biking trails in Poughkeepsie: Walkway Over The Hudson
Biking trails in Red Hook: Poets' Walk Park
Biking trails in Staatsburg: Staatsburg State Historic Site

Ulster County Biking Trails
Biking Trails in the mid-Hudson Valley also include Biking in Ulster County offering beginner, moderate, and advanced biking paths for all levels of bikers. Check this list of biking in Ulster County, New York. Whatever your biking skill, you'll find trails to bike. Find places to go biking in Ulster.

Biking trails in Esopus: Black Creek Preserve
Biking trails in Esopus: Esopus Meadows Preserve
Biking trails in Esopus: Shaupeneak Ridge
Biking trails in Highland: Franny Reese State Park
Biking trails in Highland: Walkway Over The Hudson
Biking trails in Kerhonkson: Minnewaska State Park
Biking trails in Kingston: Sleightsburgh Park
Biking trails in New Paltz: Dutchess Rail Trail
Biking trails in New Paltz: Mohonk Mountain House - Day pass forbiking
Biking trails in Ulster: Catskill Forest Preserve
Biking trails in Ulster: Hudson Highlands
Biking and biking trails in Ulster: Catskill Forest Preserve Day Biking Trails
Biking rails in Ulster: Hudson Highlands - Easy to challenging bikes

Experienced bikers can find some of the best biking trails in:
Biking trails in Ancram: Lake Taghkanic State Park
Biking trails in Hudson Valley: Hudson Highlands
Biking trails in Copake Falls: Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area

Shorter bikes for the beginning biker and intermediate biker include
Biking trails in Columbia: Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Biking trails in Hudson Valley: Hudson Highlands
Biking trails in Copake Falls: Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
Biking trails in Hudson: Harrier Hill Park
Biking trails in Hudson: Olana State Historic Site

Experienced bikers can find great biking trails in Greene County at:
Biking trails in Greene: Catskill Forest Preserve - Greene
Biking trails in Hunter: Kaaterskill Falls

Shorter bikes for the beginning biker and intermediate biker include
Biking trails in Greene: RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary
Biking trails in Catskill: Thomas Cole "Historic Site"
Biking trails in Coxsackie: Four Mile Point "Scenic Hudson Valley"
Biking trails in Greene: Hudson Highlands

Experienced bikers can find great biking trails in Rensselaer:
Biking trails in Cherry Plain: Cherry Plain State Park
Biking trails in Grafton: Grafton Lakes State Park
Biking trails in Schodack Landing: Schodack Island State Park

Shorter bikes for beginning and intermediate bikers include
Biking trails in Cherry Plain: Cherry Plain State Park
Biking trails in Grafton: Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site
Biking trails in Troy: Frear Park
Biking trails in Troy: Prospect Park

Experienced bikers can find great biking trails in Albany:
Biking trails in East Berne: Thompson's Lake Campground
Biking trails in Voorheesville: John Boyd Thacher State Park
Biking trails in Delmar: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

Shorter bikes for the beginning biker and intermediate biker include
Biking trails in Voorheesville: John Boyd Thacher State Park
Biking trails in Cohoes: Fall View Park - Cohoes
Biking trails in Albany: Washington Park
Biking trails in Albany: Lincoln Park
Biking trails in Loudonville: Crossings of Colonie Park

Essentials for Biking Safety on City Streets and in the Country include:



• Obey traffic signs and signals - Bicycles must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.


• Always wear your helmet - Bicyclist's 14 years old and younger are required to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. The helmet must conform to the standard established by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell) at all times.


• Never ride against traffic - Motorist’s aren't looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. State law and common sense require that bicyclists drive like other operating vehicles.


• Don’t pass on the right - Motorist's may not look for or see a bicycle passing on the right.


• Keep both hands ready to brake - You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain, since brakes are less efficient when wet.


• Scan the road behind you - Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving. Some riders use rear-view mirrors.


• Never operate a bicycle wearing headphones, talking on a cell phone or text messaging - Wearing headphones, talking on a cell phone or text messaging when operating a bicycle can be a deadly distraction. Be alert to your surroundings; stop your bicycle when sending or receiving a cell phone call or text message.


• Follow lane markings - Don't turn left from the right lane. Don't go straight in a lane marked “right-turn only.”


• Do not consume alcohol - Consuming alcohol and operating a bicycle do not mix. Alcohol can dramatically diminish a bicyclist’s cognitive and physical abilities and can result in a crash.


• Dress appropriately - In rain, wear a poncho or a waterproof suit. Dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes. Wear brightly colored clothing.


• Use hand signals - Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy and of self-protection.


• Ride in the middle of the lane in slower traffic - Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic.


• Choose the best way to turn left - There are two choices: (1) Like an automobile: Signal to move into the left turn lane and then turn left. (2) Like a pedestrian: Ride straight to the far side crosswalk. Walk your bike across.


• Make eye contact with drivers - Assume that other drivers don't see you until you are sure that they do. Eye contact is important with any driver who might pose a threat to your safety.


• Look out for road hazards - Watch out for parallel-slat sewer grates, gravel, ice, sand or debris. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.


• Use lights at night - New York law requires a white headlight (visible from at least 500 feet ahead) and a red rear reflector or taillight (visible up to 300 feet from behind).


• Keep your bike in good repair - Adjust your bike to fit you and keep it working properly. Check brakes and tires regularly. Routine maintenance is simple and you can learn to do it yourself.

Source: Tips for Safe Biking.