The morning sun was just clearing the Miami skyline when Maria pushed her Citi Bike from its dock on South Beach and turned west toward the Venetian Causeway. Twenty minutes later, crossing the second of six man-made islands with Biscayne Bay stretching silver on her left and Mediterranean Revival mansions on her right, she understood exactly what they meant.
Miami rewards cyclists differently than most American cities. You are not grinding up mountain passes or braving freezing rain. You are riding along turquoise water, through shaded residential streets lined with banyan trees, past sailboats in calm channels. The city has more than 100 miles of bike lanes and shared paths.
This guide covers five of the best Miami bike routes, ranked by difficulty.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Distance: 9 miles one way | Surface: Asphalt with dedicated bike lanes
The Rickenbacker Causeway is the crown jewel of Miami cycling. It connects mainland Miami to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in South Florida.
Your ride begins at the Commodore Trail trailhead at the south end of Brickell Avenue, where green bike lanes guide you onto the William M. Powell Bridge crossing the Deering Channel. Once across, you reach Hobie Island, split into north and south sections. The southern island hosts Miami’s only dog-friendly beach. From there, the road crosses the Bear Cut Bridge into Crandon Park, a former coconut plantation with 2 miles of beachfront.
Your destination is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which has an internal 1.5-mile bike path, the historic lighthouse built in 1825, and a waterfront restaurant.
Bill Baggs park has an on-site rental kiosk with cruisers and hybrids. Virginia Key Outdoor Center on the island’s north side rents mountain bikes and hybrids.
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 8 miles (full length) | Surface: Paved boardwalk and dedicated path
The Miami Beach Boardwalk runs the entire eastern edge of the island, from South Pointe Park in the south all the way to Bal Harbour in the north. It is the most accessible ride on this list, with no car traffic, flat terrain, and the Atlantic Ocean on one side.
The path passes through Lummus Park, one of the most photographed sections, before continuing through the historic Art Deco District between 5th and 14th Streets. At the northern end, the path connects to the shops and restaurants of Bal Harbour.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Distance: 5 miles round trip | Surface: Asphalt road with bike lanes
The Venetian Causeway is a 2.8-mile stretch of road connecting Miami Beach with mainland Miami across six man-made islands. It was originally built in 1913 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
What makes this route special is the surroundings. Each island is barely wider than the road itself, with grand Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco homes pressing close on both sides. The views of Biscayne Bay from the causeway bridges are panoramic and constantly changing with the light.
The islands are connected by low-rise bridges. The homes on Di Lido Island and San Marino Island are among the most expensive residential properties in Miami-Dade County.
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 10 miles (when complete), 2.64 miles currently open | Surface: Paved separated paths
The Underline is Miami’s most ambitious active transportation project: a 10-mile linear park built beneath the elevated Metrorail tracks, running from Brickell to Dadeland. The first two phases, covering 2.64 miles through Brickell and Coral Gables, are already open.
The open section is called the Brickell Backyard. There is a flex court with half-court basketball and mini-pitch soccer, an outdoor gym sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, and an urban stage with a 2,300-square-foot plaza.
Phases 3 through 6 will extend the trail through Little Havana and into Dadeland, following the same design template of butterfly gardens, dog-friendly areas, fitness equipment, and public art.
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 9.3 miles one way | Surface: Asphalt, concrete, and some gravel sections
The Black Creek Trail is Miami’s best option for cyclists who want to escape the urban environment entirely and ride through South Florida’s natural landscape. The trail runs alongside the Black Creek Canal for most of its length, passing through wetlands that are home to manatees, alligators, and more than 100 bird species.
The southern end opens onto Biscayne Bay, where you can stop at the marina, grab a meal at the waterfront restaurant, or launch a kayak.
Citi Bike Miami operates more than 160 stations with over 1,000 bikes, including both standard pedal bikes and electric-assist models.
The Standard Membership provides unlimited 30-minute rides. The Deluxe Membership extends that to 60 minutes per ride. Annual memberships start at approximately $169 for the standard plan.
Electric bikes are not permitted on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, Lincoln Road Mall, South Pointe Park, or the Lummus Park section. Citi Bikes cannot be brought onto Metrorail or Metro Mover.
What is the easiest Miami bike route for beginners? The Miami Beach Boardwalk is the easiest route. It is completely flat, has no car traffic, is fully paved, and offers the option to ride short segments.
Can you bike from Miami to Key Biscayne? Yes. The Rickenbacker Causeway connects mainland Miami to Key Biscayne via a dedicated bike lane for most of the 9-mile route.
Are Citi Bikes allowed on the Miami Beach Boardwalk? No. Electric Citi Bikes are prohibited on the boardwalk and several other locations.
What is the longest bike trail in Miami? The Rickenbacker Causeway Trail at 9 miles one way is the longest continuous bike route connecting two distinct areas.
Is Miami a bike-friendly city? Miami has improved significantly over the past decade, with more than 100 miles of new bike lanes added. Miami Beach and Brickell are the most bike-friendly neighborhoods.
Miami is not a city that announces itself to cyclists. What Miami offers instead is subtler and, in its own way, more rewarding: flat water cycling past Art Deco towers, across causeways that feel like riding on the ocean. Clip in, unlock a Citi Bike, or pump up your own tires. Miami is waiting.