Visitor’s Guide for Cycling in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re like me, an afternoon stroll on the bicycle is all you need. Anything more? Too difficult. Anything less? Too easy. Leisure cycling, with plenty of pit stops, is where it’s at. This is your guide to doing exactly that during your vacation to Fort Lauderdale.

Looking for a fun cycling adventure during your vacation? This article provides you with all the resources you need to have a fun and safe cycling experience in Fort Lauderdale! Information includes:

• Where to rent a bike in Fort Lauderdale
• Roads with cycling lanes for safe riding
• Points of interest and leisure to visit during a day of cycling
• Potential routes to follow for the best cycling experience in Fort Lauderdale

Where to rent a bike in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re lucky, your vacation rental may have them. If not, don’t worry. You got a couple of options here. Let’s decide the best for you:

Good but Pricey:

• Rent from a specialty cycling store. We rented a bike for three days from Trek Bicycle for a 100 mile trip in the Florida Keys. They had top of the line rental equipment we’d highly recommend if you’re doing a long trip.

You’re just here to stroll, though? Thought so. Let’s move on.

More Practical Options:

• Park and Ocean Adventure Center in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park rents bikes by 2 hour or half day. Charges are between $20 – $40. A bit pricey if you ask me, but convenience in the State Park is the draw.
• Riverwalk Activities in downtown has affordable bike rentals ranging from hourly to weekly. For multi-day rentals, they have the best prices in town.
• Broward BCycle is an eco-friendly initiative that allows visitors and locals to easily travel around the city. You download the app, unlock a bike, and just like that you’re on your way. The best part: you can park them at any BCycle Station around the city! Just check out the map! Simple as that.

Safe Cycling Roads in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale has not been known as the most cycling friendly city around. Good news, though! This has slowly been changing! Particularly in the more vibrant parts of town.

If you’re here on vacation there’s not much need (or desire) to leave the main areas: downtown and the beach. The good thing is these areas have safe roads and more than enough to explore during you ride (more on that later).

A safe bet is this: stick to the Las Olas Boulevard area (including the Riverwalk). If you’re heading down the beach, take Las Olas Boulevard all the way across the intracoastal and turn onto Ocean Boulevard aka the A1A. All of these streets have clearly marked cycling lanes for your protection.

Other areas that are safe to ride in are Flagler Village, downtown Oakland Park (near Funky Buddha Brewery), Manor Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Himmarshee Village.

Stops of Interest While Cycling Fort Lauderdale

Who likes to aimlessly cycle their way to the destination anyway? It’s all about the journey, folks!

In or around downtown:

These points of interest make for a good starting point if you’re renting a Broward BCycle or from Riverwalk Activities.

Cooley’s Landing Park

A great place to park at the beginning of the Riverwalk. Gander at the boats in the marina as you walk to Esplanade Park or to Riverwalk Activities to rent a bicycle and get started.

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Esplanade Park

A nice park right in the middle of Himmarshee Village. There’s a Broward BCycle station on the northwest corner of the park. Enjoy the scenic Riverwalk nearby!

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The Riverwalk

This has been mentioned a few times. The Riverwalk is a linear park along the banks of New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It’s a great place to get some exercise, enjoy the sunshine, or rent some bicycles! It’s one of our favorite free or cheap outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale!

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Las Olas Boulevard

The epicenter of nightlife in Fort Lauderdale, lined with shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. It’s easy to cruise through the oak trees during the day as you cycle your way down to the beach. Stop for a minute to gander in the shops or grab a coffee or ice cream.

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Colee Hammock Park

A short distance off of Las Olas lies this hidden gem. A relaxing green space to read a book, drink some water, eat a snack, hang a hammock, or watch the boats drive by during your cycling pit stop.

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On, along, or around the beach:

You’ve taken your bikes down Las Olas and all the way to the beach. Now what? These spots may be a good place to check out:

Bahia Mar Marina and Yachting Center

Although you may never own a yacht, why not dream, right? Head south on the A1A and you’ll run into the Bahia Mar. This marina is stocked full of mega yachts, sail boats, and all sorts of cool things to look at. Simply walking around can be jaw dropping.

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Fort Lauderdale Beach Park

Just across the street from the Bahia Mar is the epicenter of beach activity in Fort Lauderdale. This beach park has work out equipment, a playground, and plenty of grills and picnic tables to use. Or, just park your bike and cool off in the ocean!

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Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a fantastic pit stop while cycling. The park itself has a scenic 2 mile loop through a thick tropical hammock that really captures what Old Fort Lauderdale used to look like.

Take a gander at the intracoastal, take a quick hike, or grab a snack/drink at Park and Ocean! The park’s very own beach bar! Just look out for Gopher Tortoises while you’re riding!

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Vista Park, Loggerhead Park, or Earl Lifshey Ocean Park

North of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a string of three city parks: Vista, Loggerhead, and Early Lifshey. They’re all similar in size and just a mere few blocks away from each other.

If you brought a beach towel, these parks are great places for a quiet beach day. Watch your step though, between the months of March and October these parks will be filled with Sea Turtle nests! How cool!

Not to mention, these parks are great for beach diving! Stay tuned for posts about the coral reefs just offshore from here.

Map It! Vista Park

Map It! Loggerhead Park

Map It! Earl Lifshey Ocean Park

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea downtown and beach

This tiny town is the perfect ending to a day of exploring. Restaurants, beach bars, and even a pier to stroll.

Park your bike, grab a drink, and enjoy the sound of the crashing waves as the sun sets over the city.

Map It!

Cycling Routes in Fort Lauderdale

As far as cycling routes, it’s easiest starting at one point and “looping” back to that same spot. That way you can get back to your car, hotel, etc.

However, if you’re using Broward BCycle, you certainly could start at one point and end at another entirely. Let’s explore some options:

Route 1: Downtown to the Beach

Total Distance: 3.19 miles

Starting Point: Esplanade Park

Ending Point: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Possible Stops: Las Olas Blvd, Colee Hammock Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Bahia Mar.

Notes and Direction: Park at Cooley’s Landing and walk the river until you reach Esplanade Park. There’s a Broward BCycle in the northwest corner of the park or keep walking until you find Riverwalk Activities.

After exploring the downtown area and Riverwalk, head east on Las Olas Blvd towards the beaches. You’ll cross a drawbridge and will see the ocean straight ahead.

Take a right on Ocean Blvd and head south about a half mile until you see Bahia Mar (right) and Fort Lauderdale Beach Park (left).

Route 2: Riverwalk to State Park

Total Distance: 4.3 miles

Starting Point: Riverwalk

Ending Point: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Possible Stops: Las Olas Blvd, Colee Hammock Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Bahia Mar.

Notes and Direction: after exploring the downtown area and Riverwalk, head east on Las Olas Blvd towards the beaches. You’ll cross a drawbridge and will see the ocean straight ahead.

If you want to stop at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park or see the yachts at Bahia Mar, take a right on Ocean Blvd.

Head north on the A1A/Ocean Blvd and you’ll see the State Park on your left just past Sunrise Blvd!

Route 3: Downtown to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Total Distance: 7.67 miles

Starting Point: Riverwalk

Ending Point: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Possible Stops: Las Olas Blvd, Colee Hammock Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Bahia Mar, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Loggerhead, Vista, and Early Lifshey.

Notes and Direction: after exploring the downtown area and Riverwalk, head east on Las Olas Blvd towards the beaches. You’ll cross a drawbridge and will see the ocean straight ahead.

If you want to stop at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park or see the yachts at Bahia Mar, take a right on Ocean Blvd.

Head north on the A1A/Ocean Blvd and you’ll see Hugh Taylor Birch on your left past Sunrise Blvd. Keep heading north for a mile or so until you see NE 27th Ave. Take a right and Loggerhead Park will be right at the end of the street.

Get back on the A1A and head north past Oakland Park Blvd and all the way to Commercial Blvd. This is the town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea!

Notes about Recommended Cycling Routes in Fort Lauderdale

• All of these routes could easily be doubled in distance simply by turning around and reversing the same track.
• You could easily switch the starting points with the ending points, depending on your situation.

Traveling to Fort Lauderdale?

Planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale soon? Use these helpful travel resources to plan your trip!