In Memphis We Bike
The Memphis Biking Scene
In 2023, Memphis, TN was ranked the most dangerous city for pedestrians and least bike-friendly city in the nation BUT the Memphis bike community is thriving and we strongly refute this! Could it be better? Yes, of course, and we are advocating for that everyday but, if you hop on a bike, there are safe paths that you can travel and a community that is willing to accompany you.
Do you…
- Want to lower your carbon footprint and use your bike to ride to work, errands, social events?
- Need some exercise?
- Like competition and want to race?
- Seek a social outlet to make new friends?
- Have interest in training to do a 100 mile ride for a good cause?
Good News! Memphis has it all!
Better news? With Memphis’s subtropical climate and relatively flat terrain, you can basically bike year round. (minus that one winter snow storm a year….)
So strap on your helmet and let’s roll!
Where To Ride: Discover the Best Routes in Memphis
Memphis has streets and trails for every type of cyclist. If you speak with any cyclist, they will tell you that there are some paths more utilized than others (for example, take Peabody Street to downtown, not Poplar or Union!) Here are some of the community’s highlights:
- Head downtown and ride across the Mississippi River with Big River Crossing, there’s also a nice 6 mile loop on the Arkansas side which is the future home of Ducks Unlimited Park.
- Overton Park has some great trails perfect for riding and connecting Midtown to East Memphis. From Overton Park go past the bike gate through Broad Avenue down the Hampline all the way to the Greenline off of Tillman.
- The Wolf River Greenway and the Shelby Farms Greenline connect if you want to keep heading towards the suburbs.
- If you’re looking for some more adventure and some hills, head to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Connecting with Other Riders
Memphis’s biking culture is all about community. Whether you’re looking to join a leisurely group ride or dive into competitive cycling, there’s a spot for you. Here are three of my favorites:
- Memphis Social Bicycle Club, hosts weekly rides that meet at 7pm every Thursday at Veterans Plaza in Overton Park. MSBC rides around midtown and downtown Memphis and averages 50+ cyclists every week! MSBC is an active community that has welcomed new Memphians and new cyclists into their midst while creating amazing friendships along the ride. We range in age from early 20s to 70s. If you have a working bike, a helmet, and bike lights, you are welcome to join.
- Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club is dedicated to promoting cycling in the Memphis and Mid-South community. Founded in 1962 the MHBC is a volunteer, non-profit club with over 1,200 members. MHBC organizes weekly bicycle rides and social events for all levels and abilities. Rides are held almost every day of the week throughout the year.
- Major Taylor Memphis Cycling Club is a national cyclist group named after the first African American World Champion Cyclist. They are a welcoming community to everyone and host multiple rides a year including a Juneteenth Freedom Ride.
Community Bike Shops
Memphis has several bike shops, many that host weekly rides and are willing to support new and seasoned riders on their cycling journeys!
- Latting Speed Shop is right off the Greenline in Cordova. Not only is it a bike shop but it has an amazing coffee shop, Team Car Cafe connected to it! Go for a visit and grab yourself a coffee while you’re there.
- REI Bike Shop is always happy to help with a quick problem and is open whenever the store is open. Additionally, if you’re a REI member, there are big discounts on services.
- Victory Bicycle Studio is right off of Broad Avenue and hosts a training team to help new cyclists ride long distances.
- Bikes Plus has locations in Memphis, Bartlett, and Germantown and have been in Memphis for over 30 years!
- Outdoors Inc.is a great choice for East Memphis, they also host a gravel race every fall.
- All About Bikes is right off of Poplar in East Memphis and prides itself on being family friendly.
Explore Bike Share
Explore Bike Share is an e-bike share system for all Memphians that has a ridership that has grown every year since switching to electric bikes. There are over 30 stations throughout the city including at all the major parks (River Parks, Overton, and Shelby Farms). They are also a 501c3 and function through ridership and their donor base. For just $5, hop on a bike and ride around the city!
What the heck is bike polo!?
You know that sport across the pond on horseback where they use mallets to try to score points in goals? Ok, now imagine that on a bike! Athletes play bike polo all over the world and there are tournaments where teams come to compete with their friends in different cities. There is a growing bike polo scene in Memphis right now, and the crew has a great set up on Summer Avenue next to Greenfield Soccer Complex. They are always searching for new players so check out their instagram to find out more!
Pedaling Forward
Memphis cyclists are working hard with city officials to make the city safer for cyclists and pedestrians. We are grateful for the Memphis Safety Action Plan that is working to ensure safe streets and roads for all.
Memphis Social Bicycle Club also planned the first Critical Mass event in Memphis in a long while. A Critical Mass is a cycling event to bring all types of riders together to promote safety through the streets. They happen globally and vary in size and style wherever they occur. In Memphis the goal was to promote safe streets, encourage the city to upkeep our bicycle lanes, and continue building infrastructure to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe from cars. The event had over 200 cyclists join and the group hopes to make it an annual event!
Let’s Roll!
As Memphis continues to embrace and expand its biking culture, there’s no better time than now to join the movement. Whether you’re exploring the city’s bike lanes for the first time or you’re a seasoned cyclist, Memphis is ready for you! So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore Memphis on two wheels!
