Recommended Rides

Looking for some ideas of where to ride in Somerville? We've got you covered. Here are some of our favorite routes to try.  
Got one you'd like to share? Send your ideas here so we can add them.
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Shared Streets - Phase 1, by Arah

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The city's Shared Streets pilot has begun! Explore Somerville on roads that are closed to through traffic and designed to slow cars and allow pedestrians and people on bicycles to social distance and travel safely. Learn more about future phases here.   

Phase 1 connects neighborhoods with important locations in Winter Hill and East Somerville, including the Stop & Shop grocery store, the East Somerville Community School, and the Union Square farmers' market.
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Family Ride at Assembly Square - By Emily

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Looking for a safe place for your kids to learn how to ride a bike or scooter on a hot day?  Look no further than Assembly Square! If you live farther away, you can take the Orange Line, or the 92 Bus. Metered parking is also available.

I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old, so I was exited to find a place with smooth pavement and no cars so my daughter could build confidence on a path that wasn't crowded. There are lots of geese, boats and dogs for my son to enjoy from the stroller. The path is flat, which is also good if you have a heavy bike trailer filled with kids and their stuff. 

Being next to the water was great on a hot morning, as there was a nice breeze we didn't have farther inland. This route takes you on a boardwalk. Be on the look out for pigeons nesting in abandoned pipes under the bridge, and for fishermen!

We enjoyed taking breaks in shady grassy areas, watching residents walking dogs from a safe distance. Keep an eye out for the turtle sculpture, which is a good place to watch the train go by (great toddler entertainment) Next time we need to bring a picnic!
A note on restrooms: The sign on the door of the public restrooms claims that they are open during certain hours during COVID, but we discovered that they were locked during the open time frame, so please plan accordingly. 

 ​ASSEMBLY ROW - TO MAIN SQUARES - By Michael

Trying to figure out how to get  to/from Assembly Row by bike safely? Note,  none of them is particularly pleasant, but these maps include some tricks (staying on the sidewalk at the I-93 underpass, cutting through a parking lot at Shore Drive) to take the edge of the two main access routes. 

Russo's to Ball Square - by Rachel

I have lived in Somerville for almost three years, and how I’ve never heard of Russo’s in Watertown is beyond me! On a hot Sunday afternoon, this first Sunday of summer to be specific, a friend and fellow Somervillian led me on a bike excursion out to the veggie lover’s heaven. The route was quite straight forward—find your way to the river and bike all the way out to Bridge St, then it’s a quick jaunt from there to Russo’s.  We took advantage of the afternoon Memorial Dr closure and temporary closure on Greenough Blvd between Arsenal and N Beacon. The Charles River Greenway was surprisingly sparse in terms of other pedestrians and cyclists, which may have been due to the heat. I had to hustle back for fear of a thunderstorm drenching my laundry hanging in the backyard. For someone who lives for spending time outside and fresh produce, this was a wonderful ride + errands combo.

Tour de Somerville 2019 - By Michael
Miss the Tour de Somerville last year? You're in luck, here's the route! Don't forget to take an ice cream break and support local businesses. 

Davis and Harvard Squares - By Rachel