Westchester roads aren’t always the most bike-friendly. They tend to be busy, narrow, poorly lit and often in need of repair.
Thankfully, there are several fantastic greenways and bike paths in Westchester that are absolutely perfect for your solo or family cycling adventure.
The best of all of these is the South & North County Trailway system which is a truly world-class car-free bikeway.
North County & South County Trailways
I feel blessed to live in a county with a bikeway as fabulous as the North & South County Trailways.
This (99%) car-free greenway winds all the way from the Bronx up to Carmel, NY. In total, it covers 36.2 miles (one-way).
Most of the trailway is well-paved and wide enough to ride side-by-side with your cycling partner. It’s also plenty wide for double bike trailers, making it perfect for family outings.
At the southern end, it provides easy access to the westside bikeway, meaning you can safely ride all the way to Manhattan from Westchester. In fact, plenty of people make this part of their commute in the warmer seasons.
How to Access: The trailway can only be reached at specific access points due to natural limitations of geography. This is especially true in the South Country portion, where the trailway winds alongside the Sawmill River Parkway.
Bronx River Pathway
This beautiful multi-use path winds alongside the Bronx River from Bronxville to the Kensico Dam in Valhalla.
It’s entirely off-street except for one busy street crossing in Hartsdale. Thankfully, they’ve recently installed pedestrian crossing lights in the crosswalk to make it a bit safer (there’s a sharp corner that cars fly through).
This windy path has gentle elevation changes as it winds next to (and above) the Bronx River.
You’ll see ducks, geese and even deer on your rides as well as some beautiful flowers, landscaped yards and quaint bridge crossings.
The pathway also runs right next too the downtown areas of Hartsdale, Scarsdale, and Bronxville. It’s easily accessible at multiple points along its 10+ mile length, and you can hop off at a town to sample the local fare. I’ve made the detour to Martine’s bakeshop in Scarsdale more than a few times.
Bicycle Sundays (Bronx River Parkway)
One of my favorite Greenburgh traditions is Bicycle Sundays, which shuts down the Bronx River Parkway to car traffic on select weekends in the Spring, Summer and Fall.
This means the 10 mile stretch of road from Tuckahoe to White Plains is 4 lanes of 100% car free family fun. If you live in the area and haven’t ever experienced Bicycle Sundays, it’s a must-try.
This is a perfect opportunity for younger riders to get in some revolutions in a safe, wide open space. Just make sure to keep them to the right side as there will be some faster riders (sometimes in groups) in the left lane.
There’s also usually a local bike mechanic on site at a rest stop to help with flats, tire pressure and other quick repairs. You’ll also find an ice cream truck most summer days for some guilt-free cold treats.
2023 Dates:
- June 4, 11, 18 and 25
- July 9, 16, 23 and 30
- Sept. 10, 17 and 24
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail
This former rail line is 26 Mile trail that winds past more than of Westchester’s best river towns. It’s tree lined, paved, passes near several points of interest.
Landmarks accessible from the trail include:
- Hudson River Museum
- Untermyer Gardens
- Lenoir Preserve
- Mercy University
- The Armour-Stiner Octagon House
- Lyndhurst Mansion
You can also easily access the Mario Cuomo bridge which has a dedicated (and protected) lane for cyclists and pedestrians. Cross the Hudson and explorer popular cycling routes along the Palisades and Route 9W.
Tarrytown Lakes Extension
Tarrytown Lakes Extension is a short bikeway that runs around Tarrytown Lake.
It’s a perfect casual cycling spot for younger riders where they can explore the trail safely at slow speeds. Watch for birds, animals, and Kayakers (in summer).
You’ll have beautiful lake and woods views on this quick ride. Better yet, it connects directly to the South County Trailway on its eastern endpoint, so you can extend your ride without ever touching a road.
Blue Mountain
Playland Parkway
The sound & shore towns have fewer greenways than the rest of southern Westchester, but the Playland Parkway is a notable exception.
Starting in Rye, you can bike car-free all the way to Playland Park and beyond. If you pass through the Playland parking lot, you can continue all the way to Edith Reed Sanctuary. This last portion, though technically on-road, has barely any traffic even on weekends.