Paved bike paths? (Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale: 2015, home, construction)

[boredinflagstaff]

Hi there

I am thinking of relocating to the Phoenix area. I really enjoyed paved biking paths and have not been able to find many in the area. Does anyone know of any options besides the Scottsdale Greenbelt (very nice, but looking for more!). Not a fan of mountain biking. Saw something about Tempe Town Lake - not sure how long this is as there wasn't much info online. Looking to check out a new one this weekend. Thanks for any suggestions.

[asufan]

Chandler has the Paseo Trail bike path but it's out of your way and honestly not very interesting. They have signaled cross walks in some areas where it crosses busy streets. Good for those that live in the area and want to ride, but not anything interesting to see, it's just an amenity next to the canal.

[boredinflagstaff]

Originally Posted by asufan

Chandler has the Paseo Trail bike path but it's out of your way and honestly not very interesting. They have signaled cross walks in some areas where it crosses busy streets. Good for those that live in the area and want to ride, but not anything interesting to see, it's just an amenity next to the canal.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably just check out the Scottsdale path again.

[exit2lef]

I assume you mean paved off-road bike paths as opposed to streets with bike lanes.

If so, here are some recommendations:

Chandler Paseo Trail -- connects to Gilbert's Heritage Trail at its north end

Arizona Canal Diversion Channel (paved along the Arizona Canal from 24th Street in Phoenix to the Glendale border)

Arizona Canal (Scottsdale segment) (mostly paved from 60th St to the border of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community)

Tempe Town Lake -- paths on both sides. On the north side, the path meets the Scottsdale Greenbelt. On the south, the path is now joined to the new Rio Salado Path in Mesa

Western Canal / Powerline Trail -- Starts at Arizona Mills in Tempe, but it's better to begin a ride at Kiwanis Park. From there, the path turns east, passing along the Mesa / Chandler border and then into Gilbert's Heritage District

Dreamy Draw path -- a paved trail on the east side of SR51 connecting central and northeastern Phoenix

Peoria New River path -- paved trail from Bethany Home Road to Deer Valley Road on the west side of town

Glendale Skunk Creek Trail -- connects to the Peoria trail system at its western end

Tempe Crosscut Canal path -- short but hilly for a good workout, continues into Scottsdale and eventually joins with the Arizona Canal path there

Many more projects are planned, including major improvements to the Grand Canal in central Phoenix.

[BIG CATS]

Tempe Town Lake does have a paved path all the way around the lake, but its generally very crowded, especially near the Arts Center, and its frustrating to ride. The best path around here is the Greenbelt, which is usually congested, too, but there are stretches and sections where it isn't so bad.

[phx1205]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I assume you mean paved off-road bike paths as opposed to streets with bike lanes.

If so, here are some recommendations:

Chandler Paseo Trail -- connects to Gilbert's Heritage Trail at its north end

Arizona Canal Diversion Channel (paved along the Arizona Canal from 24th Street in Phoenix to the Glendale border)

Arizona Canal (Scottsdale segment) (mostly paved from 60th St to the border of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community)

Tempe Town Lake -- paths on both sides. On the north side, the path meets the Scottsdale Greenbelt. On the south, the path is now joined to the new Rio Salado Path in Mesa

Western Canal / Powerline Trail -- Starts at Arizona Mills in Tempe, but it's better to begin a ride at Kiwanis Park. From there, the path turns east, passing along the Mesa / Chandler border and then into Gilbert's Heritage District

Dreamy Draw path -- a paved trail on the east side of SR51 connecting central and northeastern Phoenix

Peoria New River path -- paved trail from Bethany Home Road to Deer Valley Road on the west side of town

Glendale Skunk Creek Trail -- connects to the Peoria trail system at its western end

Tempe Crosscut Canal path -- short but hilly for a good workout, continues into Scottsdale and eventually joins with the Arizona Canal path there

Many more projects are planned, including major improvements to the Grand Canal in central Phoenix.

This is a great list! Very helpful.

[boredinflagstaff]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I assume you mean paved off-road bike paths as opposed to streets with bike lanes.

If so, here are some recommendations:

Chandler Paseo Trail -- connects to Gilbert's Heritage Trail at its north end

Arizona Canal Diversion Channel (paved along the Arizona Canal from 24th Street in Phoenix to the Glendale border)

Arizona Canal (Scottsdale segment) (mostly paved from 60th St to the border of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community)

Tempe Town Lake -- paths on both sides. On the north side, the path meets the Scottsdale Greenbelt. On the south, the path is now joined to the new Rio Salado Path in Mesa

Western Canal / Powerline Trail -- Starts at Arizona Mills in Tempe, but it's better to begin a ride at Kiwanis Park. From there, the path turns east, passing along the Mesa / Chandler border and then into Gilbert's Heritage District

Dreamy Draw path -- a paved trail on the east side of SR51 connecting central and northeastern Phoenix

Peoria New River path -- paved trail from Bethany Home Road to Deer Valley Road on the west side of town

Glendale Skunk Creek Trail -- connects to the Peoria trail system at its western end

Tempe Crosscut Canal path -- short but hilly for a good workout, continues into Scottsdale and eventually joins with the Arizona Canal path there

Many more projects are planned, including major improvements to the Grand Canal in central Phoenix.

Thanks for the detailed list! Great info!

[locolife]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Tempe Town Lake does have a paved path all the way around the lake, but its generally very crowded, especially near the Arts Center, and its frustrating to ride. The best path around here is the Greenbelt, which is usually congested, too, but there are stretches and sections where it isn't so bad.

The Greenbelt isn't always crowded early in the morning or on summer afternoon/evenings I can cruise through without seeing hardly a soul. But if you expect to go out on a beautiful Saturday evening and not see a crowd you are really setting yourself up for failure.

[locolife]

Here's the link to Maricopa County Bikeways, you can pickup physical maps at most bike shops around town as well. There must be well over 100 miles of bikeways around the city now.

https://geo.azmag.gov/maps/bikemap/

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by locolife

The Greenbelt isn't always crowded early in the morning or on summer afternoon/evenings I can cruise through without seeing hardly a soul. But if you expect to go out on a beautiful Saturday evening and not see a crowd you are really setting yourself up for failure.

I find it to be quite opposite. The earlier I go, the more crowded it seems to get (Spring and Summer). In the Winter and Fall its crowded no matter what time of day I found. I actually started to ride in the midday Summer just to avoid the crowds, but its just too blastin hot.