Biking throughout Duluth is a great way to see all that the city has to offer, but for visitors it can often be intimidating. Where do I start? What paths should I take? Where should I go if I need to rent a bike or if I get a flat?
Well, you’re in luck! We talked with four Duluthians and avid cyclists about their tips, tricks and recommendations on seeing Duluth on two wheels.
- Alice Tibbetts, Co-founder, We Walk in Duluth. We Walk in Duluth advocates for policies and development that encourage and promote safe pedestrian and bicycling access 12 months a year.
- Butch Johnson, Service Tech, Continental Ski and Bike. In addition to working at Continental Ski and Bike, Butch’s primary mode of daily transportation is his bike.
- Michelle Pierson, Executive Director, Gitchi-Gami Trail Association. This associationsupports Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts to build and maintain a great trail on our greatest lake.Michelle also is a bike commuter and an active parent representative on many Safe Routes to Schools initiatives.
- Brad Little, Co-owner, e-Bike Duluth. Brad has been pedaling pavement and dirt trails in Duluth for the better part of the last decade on both analog and e-bikes.
So, whether you’re a passionate cyclist or just looking for an easy way to take in the Duluth sites on your trip, here’s some advice directly from riders themselves.
Q1: What are your favorite local routes in Duluth?
Alice: Take the Lakewalk from Canal Park to the northeast. You can access it at lots of points further east if you want to ride on less congested portions. My favorite is from 26th Ave east, where you can park your car and start riding. There’s a big lot behind the Holiday gas station. From there, ride to 32nd Avenue East, cross London Road and visit the Glensheen Mansion. After your tour, keep riding northeast and enjoy the new Brighton Beach trail that connects to the Scenic Highway 61 with a wide shoulder. This ride takes you along the lake with lovely views and minimal traffic. Stop at the New Scenic Cafe along the way or continue to Knife River where you can visit the North Shore Candy Kitchen.
Butch: Skyline Parkway is a beautiful route, but easier with an e-bike. It connects to 40th (West Superior) or 15th Street (Chester Bowl). Multiple routes and loops can be built within this in-town beltway by connecting to the multi-use routes and bikeways throughout Duluth. Skyline is the scenic fast track to connect to attractions. If you get tired and don’t want to ride back up the hill, city buses have bike racks to take you back to your starting spot.
Michelle: Biking in the Congdon neighborhood is fun and a cool way to see some of the incredible architecture and mansions! Also, each summer my family and I try to bike to Knife River at least once, to score some candy and go swimming at their beautiful beach. Biking the North Shore Scenic Drive is fairly flat and offers AMAZING views. The Scenic Drive actually has some of the highest numbers of bike traffic of any bike route in our area.
The Munger Trail out to the Buffalo House for eats and treats is also a family favorite, often using the DWP on our way back into town.
I also love biking to the end of Park Point. In the summer months, the “lakeside” shoulder serves as a “recreation lane” and offers runners, people on bicycles and other micromobility modes a place to be in both directions. Many people don’t know you can bike both directions in that lane. Also, there is a lack of bike racks at the end of the point, but if you bike out to the airport area and lock up to a fence, you can get a great hike to the end of Park Point.
Brad: Skyline Parkway provides a great spot to see the city from Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory to Magney-Snively Nature Area (mix of pavement & gravel). Pleasant options exist for connecting these routes via Seven Bridges Road, Campus Connector (Congdon), Lincoln Park Drive and Snively Connector (gravel, west of Spirit Mountain). E-bikes help with the elevation gradients!
Q2: What are things cyclists should keep in mind when biking in Duluth?
Alice: The city has some great multi-use trails but not a lot of on-street infrastructure. Be willing to slow down and take your time on the Lakewalk, since it is well used and busy.
Butch: It’s hard to find a good bike rack to lock up in most of downtown. West Superior Street and Lincoln Park are going to be amazing spaces to bike within in the next few years as all of these plans are implemented. It’s much easier to find bike parking in the Lincoln Park Craft District. E-bikes give you more options but strong riders can manage hills as well.
Michelle: In Duluth, I always think that a bicycle can be a way to connect to a hike or to some great food! Biking to Love Creamery in either Canal Park or the Lincoln Park Craft District is my jam (have you tried their strawberry rhubarb jam flavored ice cream? *Chef’s kiss*, it’s summer-in-a-cone).
If you are lodging in Duluth, setting out for day trips to explore the North Shore is really doable. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail offers a lot of ways for folks to get up-close-and-personal interactions with the big lake, with state parks, state natural areas and chase some waterfalls!
Q3: Where are some local spots to check out should your bike need a tune up?
Alice: Duluth has bike shops located from far West Duluth, through the Central Hillside neighborhood. Depending on where you are in the city, you will find an independent bike shop nearby, with Traverse Duluth on the west end and e-Bike Duluth on the east side in Lakeside.
Butch: We encourage folks to arrive with a well-maintained bicycle. But of course, something always ends up happening and we can certainly fix your broken bicycle at Continental Ski and Bike. Continental also has a fleet of rental bikes.
Michelle: In Duluth, I’m no stranger to the mechanics at Continental and Ski Hut. If folks find themselves up the shore and need bike repair, Spokengear staff in Two Harbors are knowledgeable and amazing.
Brad: Fix-it stations exist along the Lakewalk by the Lester River Bridge & by the bathrooms at Gichi-Ode’ Akiing Park near Canal Park. Ursa Minor Brewery in Lincoln Park also has a fix-it station across from the Cross City Trail. There are also SO many shops on or near our great paved trails – including Ski Hut, e-Bike Duluth, Continental, Traverse Duluth, Twin Ports Cyclery and Stewarts.
Q4: Any other insider tips?
Alice: The Cross City Trail offers a dedicated path for biking and walking through Canal Park, connecting to the Great Lakes Aquarium, Bayfront Festival Park and the Lincoln Park Craft District. You can access the trail at various intersections along Railroad Street, such as Lake Avenue and both intersections of Harbor Drive near the DECC. As you ride along the path on Railroad Street, you’ll pass by several landmarks, including the William A. Irvin, the DECC and Marcus Theatre, before going under the 5th Ave W interstate bridge.
After crossing the 5th Ave W intersection, continue on Railroad Street, and you’ll soon pass Bayfront Park. The path then crosses Railroad Street and proceeds under I-35. When the path splits, take the left route, which will lead you up a moderate grade and across I-35 on a pedestrian bridge. Follow W. Superior Street past the M&H gas station, where the path turns into a protected bike lane.
Ride along the protected bike lane on W. Superior Street for about half a mile, crossing through the Garfield Ave intersection, and you’ll find yourself in the Lincoln Park Craft District. This area offers a variety of breweries, cideries, excellent restaurants and convenient bike parking for you to enjoy.
Butch: Follow Continental Ski and Bike on Instagram for information on our weekly rides, events and more.
Michelle: I love that more and more people are using their bikes to get around our fair city, to explore, to commute to work and to get to the places they want to go. Being on two wheels in our town means you get to take in so much fresh air, say hello to neighbors and visitors and really take in all that our city has to offer.
Brad: The portion of the Lakewalk between Leif Erikson Park and Canal Park gets very congested in the summer. Keep to the 10-mph speed limit and please give pedestrians notice when passing (a bell is great or say “On your left”).
e-Bike Duluth offers e-bike rental delivery anywhere in the city. It’s great for hotels or places that may not be walkable or have transit access to convenient rental options. Rental reservations are encouraged, especially on weekends. e-Bike rentals & trailer accessories can be made by calling 218-206-3659 or online at www.e-bikeduluth.com.
Rental bikes are also available at Traverse Duluth in West Duluth and at Continental Bike and Ski in Hillside.