Getting around during your Anna Maria Island stay is as simple as riding a bike. With flat paths and routes along the beach, it’s a great transportation alternative with spectacular views. And the great news is that you can bike AMI year ‘round.
The City of Anna Maria has some of the best bike paths on the entire island. These are multi-use roads, so cyclists should ride on the right side of the road, with the traffic. Both Gladiolus Street and Jacaranda Street are bike routes, running from Bean Point to the shops and restaurants along Pine Avenue. Along with the Cresent Road extension and North Shore Drive, these routes offer access to Rod n Reel Pier and Gulf Front Park.
Take Jacaranda Road south to Holmes Beach, another bike-friendly city. While there are no official bike paths, Palm Drive, Gulf Drive, and Key Royal Drive offer low-traffic routes that are bicycle-friendly.
For young riders, the Coquina Beach Bike Path provides a safe trail as it only allows pedestrians and bikes. It’s a scenic trail that takes riders to the heart of Bradenton Beach on AMI’s south end. The path is suitable for bikers of all skill levels and provides a safe and scenic route for exploring the area. In addition, The Gulf Drive path to Bradenton Beach takes riders to the city’s shops and restaurants.
Be sure to ride with the traffic, watch for opening car doors, and stay on paved shoulders and bike lanes when available.
Off the island, cyclists can ride a couple of scenic paths through nature areas.
Robinson Preserve in Bradenton offers 7.5 miles of multi-use paths. While most of the preserve’s trails are paved, some sections are boardwalk and sand. One of the best parts of this path is the observation tower you can climb for views of historic Fort De Soto.
In Bradenton, Lake Manatee State Park trail offers a family-friendly experience along a 2.5-mile paved interior road that winds through pine flat woods to the lake. There are also 2.3 miles of off-road cycling with a variety of terrain. Both rides offer the opportunity to view a range of ecosystems and wildlife.
You do not have to pack your bike for your AMI vacation. Rent a bike from Beach Bums AMI. Their fun and funky inventory is inspected after every outing to ensure they remain easy to ride, reliable, and in working order. Beach Bums AMI provides cruisers and geared bikes, whichever the rider prefers. They even rent adult tricycles.
To be safe, wear a helmet, use hand signals for turns, and have light or reflective clothing if riding at night. After your ride, kick up your heels at a comfortable AMI property.