wellness
Central Parks Launch 12 New Family-Safe Cycling Routes Across City
New marked paths in the Riverside District and Oakwood Park give parents and new riders protected lanes away from traffic.
How we reported this
Central Parks and Recreation opened two dedicated family cycling loops this week, with the Riverside District route running 4.2 miles along the riverbank from Elm Street to the old rail bridge and the Oakwood Park circuit adding a 2.8-mile flat loop inside the park boundaries.
City data shows outdoor activity requests from households with children under 12 jumped 31 percent between May and June, pushing planners to finish the signage and barrier work ahead of the July school break. The routes use bright green paint and raised curbs to separate bikes from cars, a change residents along Maple Avenue requested after two minor collisions last spring.
Named routes and local programs
The Riverside loop starts at the Central River Trail entrance on Elm Street, passes the boathouse at mile 1.5, and ends at the picnic grove near the rail bridge where families can rest before turning back. Oakwood Park’s circuit begins at the main gate on Oakwood Drive and circles the central lawn twice, with a short spur that connects to the neighborhood library on Third Street. Both paths are part of the Central Wellness Initiative, which began offering free helmet fittings and basic skills sessions every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. starting March 2025.
Central Cycling Club volunteers staff the sessions and keep a supply of 20 kid-sized bikes available for checkout. The club also runs a simple online map that shows real-time surface conditions and any temporary closures due to maintenance.
Numbers and next steps
City records list 8,400 family bike rides logged through the parks app in the first half of 2026, up from 6,200 during the same period last year. Rentals at the Riverside boathouse cost $12 for two hours on a standard bike and $8 for a child trailer. Riders must wear helmets, and the city asks that children stay within sight of an adult on the marked paths.
Families new to the routes can pick up a printed map at the Oakwood Park office or download it from the parks website. The next skills session is scheduled for July 11 at 9 a.m. at the Elm Street trailhead, with extra volunteers on hand for the summer rush.