ON TWO WHEELS: BIKING WITH KIDS IN ATLANTA

With more opportunities through a growing network of pathways, bicycle lanes and bicyclefriendly areas, families are biking together all around Atlanta and finding lots of benefits, from a healthier lifestyle to together time. Metro Atlanta likely has a bike trail or bike-friendly area near your home, so it’s easy to get started. If your family wants to give it a try, now is the perfect time, with a confluence of great greenways, mild temperatures and the Atlanta Cycling Festival from May 13-20.

n Atlanta BeltLine

Made up of multi-use trails and colorful art and murals, the Atlanta BeltLine is a pedestrian friendly area that can be used for biking as well as jogging and walking. The BeltLine links many of Atlanta’s existing parks and trails together with dining and retail options nearby. Take stops for playgrounds at Piedmont Park or the Old Fourth Ward Park, or make a stop at Ponce City Market. You can also reserve a spot on one of the bike tours. Where: Multiple access points, Atlanta. beltline.org

n Chastain Park Trail

This trail is made up of a three-mile path around Chastain Park, and on any given day, you can find it full of bikers and joggers. The trail is marked as two 5K courses and a separate 3K course. It is an asphalt trail with a few hills, which may be more challenging with a stroller or young child. Where: Chastain Park, Atlanta. chastainparkconservancy.org

n East Cobb Trail

This short trail in Marietta is around two miles long and is perfect for young bikers and with parents walking or running beside them. It is also an easy connector to many neighborhoods in the area. Make sure to also check out the events listed on their website, as well as the playground.

Where: 3322 Roswell Rd., Marietta. eastcobbpark.org

n Silver Comet Trail

This 61.5-mile rail to trail is named after the Silver Comet Rail Train that once ran from Atlanta to Birmingham. Ride your bikes across a 500-foot trestle and bring a picnic basket on this woodsy, paved trail.

Where: Mavell Road Trailhead, Smyrna. silvercometga.com

n Stone Mountain Trail

This 19-mile on-street and dedicated trail offers great views of Atlanta and has several stopping points along the way. Take a stop at Stone Mountain village, Milam Park in Clarkston, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Candler Park and Downtown Decatur.

Where: Begins at Centennial Olympic Park and ends at Stone Mountain. pathfoundation.org/stone-mountain-trail n Arabia Mountain Trail

Made up of 30 miles of biking, hiking and running trails, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Trail takes you past exposed granite and lakes along the way.

Where: Arabia Mountain Trail, Stockbridge. arabiaalliance.org n Big Creek Greenway

This nine-mile paved trail runs through the deciduous woods along Big Creek, between Windward Parkway and Mansell Road. You’ll also find dirt trails for mountain biking. Where: Access points include Alpharetta YMCA, Haynes Bridge Road and Northpoint Mall. alpharetta.ga.us

MORE PATHS TO EXPLORE: n Piedmont Park, Atlanta n Freedom Park, Atlanta n Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain n Yellow River Park, Stone Mountain n North Cooper Lake Park, Smyrna n Sykes Park, East Point n Olde Rope Mill Park, Woodstock n Reeves Creek Trail, Stockbridge n Suwanee Creek Greenway, Suwanee

Atlanta Cycling Festival

May 13-20

Celebrate all things biking with a week of events around Atlanta, including a Mash2Brash, Donut Ride, opening and closing parties and more. Learn more at atlantacyclingfestival.com

Connect with other Atlanta biking enthusiasts using these resources: n Propel ATL, letspropelatl.org n Bike Roswell, bikeroswell.com n Decatur Bicycle Coalition, decaturbc.wordpress.com n Families Bike Atlanta, facebook. com/groups/familiesbikeatlanta