Philadelphia does it again! USA Today named the Schuylkill Bike Path #12 in the nation, along with favorites Minneapolis (#1), Boulder (#2) and Portland (#4). 19 bike paths were ranked total for “direct access to business districts while avoiding city traffic and making few street crossings, exceptionally beautiful (props!) and separate from traffic”. The Schuylkill Trail was given props for bringing commuters into the city from the suburbs, where they’d otherwise be out of reach.

From the USA Today post:

“Called the best bike path in Philly by Philadelphia Weekly, the 23-mile Schuylkill River Trail is a boon to commuters entering the city from Montgomery County, residents looking for a scenic shortcut through parts of downtown, and recreational cyclists making a weekend escape. The path winds unbroken, except for two short segments, all the way to Valley Forge National Historical Park.”

About Philly’s own Schuylkill River Trail

The 23-mile Schuylkill River Trail runs from Center City to Kelly Drive, linking to Valley Forge National Historical Park. It will have a projected length of almost 130 miles when totally complete, which gives bikers a wide variety of trails and scenery.

Kay Sykora, Director of the Schuylkill River Project, explains why the Schuylkill Trail is one of the best:

“It takes you through a wide range of landscapes and provides a connection from the suburbs into the City via recreational trail. It is the spine and connector that allows continuous long or short bike rides.  It feeds into a wide range of communities.”

Oh USA Today, you told us something we already know. Thanks for giving us the Street cred! 🙂

Photo: Destination Schuylkill River 

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher