Kalamazoo County
Southwest Michigan, particularly Kalamazoo County, has many cycling conducive bikeways that invite cyclists of all abilities to enjoy a two-wheeled adventure. The “K’zoo Region Bikeways” map shows an overview of off-road shared use pathways and on-road bike lanes, bike routes, and shoulders used by cyclists in our region.
If you want to focus on only one layer - for example, bike lanes - you may toggle the other layers off to simplify what’s shown on the map. And, by downloading the map to your phone, you should be able to find your location on the map while out for a ride.
With more than 23 miles of off-road (paved) shared use pathways and 41 miles of bike lanes, the Portage Bikeway is a very popular network of routes for cyclists. The shared use pathways are used frequently by walkers, runners, and other non-cyclists and can sometimes become busier over the weekends.
Radiating from Kalamazoo to points west, north, and east is the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail (KRVT).
The paved shared use pathways that connects to the Kal-Haven Trail, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and (eventually) the Lake-to-Lake Trail.
And, if you’re so inclined, schedule a Bell’s Brewery tour at one end or the other of the KRVT between Kalamazoo and Comstock (to the east).
While many Kalamazoo County neighborhoods have networks of quiet and cycling-friendly streets, new cyclists may prefer riding on paved off-road Shared Use Pathways, highlighted in this map.
These pathways are frequented by cyclists, walkers, runners, and nature enthusiasts. Because they are so popular, and can become somewhat crowded at times, cyclists need to ride slowly and share the pathway.
Accessible from a variety of locations, the vast majority of these Shared Use Pathways, like the Portage Bikeways and the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, are “linear” and require out-and-back trips. There are, however, four parks in central Kalamazoo County that have paved trails on which new cyclists and their families can enjoy short rides.
Frays Park, in the Westwood neighborhood on the northwest side of Kalamazoo, has a short (0.5 mile) loop that’s appropriate for younger children and riders who are hesitant to venture onto roads.
Spring Valley Park, a 135 acre park in the Burke Acres neighborhood in Kalamazoo’s northeast corner, has a very pleasant and longer (2.5 mile) loop that’s relatively flat and follows the perimeter of Spring Valley Lake. Both the pathway and the park road are wonderful settings for family bicycle rides.
Lakeview Park, a 26 acre park nestled between Austin Lake and West Lake in Portage, offers a network of off-street paved pathways for a variety of uses, including gentle bicycle rides.
Texas Drive Park, located in Texas Township near Al Sabo Land Preserve, is a fun family park with a Âľ mile paved loop that is used by walkers, runners, and young cyclists.
Parking is available near all four parks, so transporting cyclists and their bikes to and from each location is easily accomplished.
Head over to the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail and rent a bike from the Bike Portage Bike Share Rental. Just north of the Celery Flats Pavilion, you can pick up a bike and rent it without booking before hand!
Ride with GPS provides many options for locating routes created by local cyclists, including members of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. Check out this page for road routes that begin within five miles of Kalamazoo. You can change up the filters on the left-hand side of the page to find a variety of publicly available routes in the region.
The Discover! KALAMAZOO website is a wonderful place to look for general information about Kalamazoo County. A very helpful page for cyclists is the Kalamazoo Biking Trails page, which has all kinds of links to on-road and off-road cycling routes. Enjoy!
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