Guide to Biking in Santa Clara Valley
Publish On
Two mountain bikers ride towards a trailhead with an oak tree-dotted golden hill in the background. Photo by Derek Neumann
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just getting started, our Guide to Santa Clara Valley Biking will help you have the best experience on two wheels!
Biking provides opportunities to recreate, enjoy nature from a new perspective and explore your city in a sustainable manner. Dive into our guide to learn about the best Santa Clara Valley bike trails and how to stay safe while adventuring on your bike!
Getting Started
A mountain biker rides down a hillside trail surrounded by green grass and a blue sky in the background. Photo by M. Cheseborough
New to getting around by bike? Here are some tips for riding safely and maintaining your bike and here are some specific tips for riding your bike to work. Check out these additional local biking resources:
- Your local bike shop may have suggestions for beginner-friendly routes and trails.
- VTA buses and light rail vehicles are equipped with bike racks! Click here to plan your next biking adventure with VTA.
- Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition provides virtual assistance to people with all kinds of biking questions. Check out their full library of biking resources here and join a local bike club here!
Bike-Friendly Paths & Trails
A parent walks while a child bikes down a dirt nature trail surrounded by oak trees. Photo by L. Nguyen
Santa Clara Valley’s bike infrastructure helps residents and visitors explore the region with a variety of trail systems that pass through urban areas, agriculture, parks and waterways. Learn about some of the trails and parks within the Open Space Authority’s jurisdiction:
- Albertson Parkway: This 0.5-mile, paved trail in south San José connects bikers from the Santa Teresa Neighborhood to Santa Teresa County Park. Bikers who make their way to Santa Teresa County Park are welcome to continue biking on the park’s trails.
- Coyote Creek Parkway: This paved 15-mile trail flows from Hellyer County Park in San José to Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill. Bikers on the Coyote Creek Parkway will experience a variety of settings, including waterways and urban and rural scenery.
- Edith Morley Park: Sitting just east of Hwy 17 in Campbell, Edith Morley Park offers visitors a nice pathway for biking among native trees and plants.
- Lake Cunningham: East San José’s Lake Cunningham includes a two-mile paved loop around the lake, a habitat for many native waterfowl like pelicans, ducks and herons.
- Los Gatos Creek Trail: This paved 10-mile trail takes bikers through San José and Campbell, ending in Los Gatos at Lexington Dam.
- Martial Cottle Park: Located between Hwy 87 and Monterey Road, Martial Cottle Park offers a flat, three-mile pedestrian path for bikers of all abilities to enjoy nature and agricultural lands in urban San José.
- Penitencia Creek Trail: This east San José paved and gravel trail takes bikers from Coyote Creek, near Independence High School, through Penitencia Creek Park and ends near Alum Rock Park.
- San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail: As one of the longest creek trails in Santa Clara Valley, the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail extends from Agnew Road in North San José to Pruneridge Ave in West San José.
- Three Creeks Trail: This 0.9-mile trail passes through North Willow Glen. Plans for the trail’s expansion include a route to east San José and connections to the Guadalupe River.
- Ulistac Natural Area: The only dedicated natural open space within the City of Santa Clara, Ulistac Natural Area offers multiple trails for bikers to ride while taking in sights of native plants and views of the Guadalupe River.
Prepare for Your Ride!
A family of bikers wears helmets as they pose for a photo on a trail. Photo by L. Nguyen
For your safety, it’s important to prepare before you embark on your bike ride. Follow these guidelines to stay safe:
- Check the air pressure levels of your bike tires and fill them with air, if necessary.
- Tell someone where you’re headed and what time you plan on returning.
- Wear a helmet, sun protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- If you’re biking at night, equip your bike with a flashlight and reflective gear. Wear clothing that helps maintain your visibility and attach a light to your helmet.
- Bring water and a snack (or two!).
- Add a bell to your bike to alert others of your presence.
How to Stay Safe on Mountain Biking Trails
A mountain biker wears a protective helmet and gloves while taking a break on a bike. Photo by M. Bergreen
Mountain bikers often share trails with hikers, bird watchers, equestrians and wildlife! To stay safe while biking, follow these safety tips:
- Stay on designated trails and obey marked signs. Riding off-trail disturbs plants and wildlife and is dangerous for a rider.
- Bikers always yield to hikers and equestrian users, so stay alert and be respectful of others.
- Be prepared to slow down or stop for equestrians. If you’re approaching a horse from behind, gently announce yourself (or say hello!) so as not to startle the horse or rider. This can help prevent serious injuries or collisions.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and don’t ride with earbuds. There may be critters on the trail, families with small children or other obstacles you'll want to avoid.
General Bike Safety Tips
A family of bikers rides through a natural area of trees and grass. Photo by L. Nguyen
- Don’t text and ride – keep your attention on the road, the trail and the people around you.
- Ride at a pace that follows speed guidelines and allows you enough time to break, if needed.
- Follow the rules of the road – stop at stop signs and red lights, yield to oncoming traffic and use hand signals to indicate an upcoming left or right turn.
Learn more about biking at your open space preserves by clicking here and head over to our Beginner’s Guide to Hiking to find additional tips on how to enjoy nature.
Related Posts
Open space is for EVERYONE! Even if you're new to exploring nature or have some hesitations about venturing into the great outdoors, we're here to make you feel more comfortable and prepared in YOUR open spaces. Whether it's snakes, bugs, poison oak, ticks, getting lost, mountain lions, coyotes or something else that increases your heart rate and makes your hands sweaty—you're not alone! We asked our social media followers what their top nature fears were and the results are in...
Keep reading to see the top seven nature fears and how you can keep yourself safe.
Keep reading to see the top seven nature fears and how you can keep yourself safe.
Parks, preserves and open space each play a special role in the natural world, but...what's the difference? We're breaking down the different types of parks and sharing how we define a preserve versus an open space.
The Morgan Hill City Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, paving the way for future public access on El Toro, one of the region's most iconic landmarks.
One of the best spots for birdwatching in Santa Clara County is the Coyote Valley. The open spaces in and around Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve include important habitat for wildlife including more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds. We’ve put together a list of birds you might spot on a visit there!