Anna Maria Island is full of fun outdoor activities like kayaking, parasailing, paddleboarding, and more. However, one of the island’s most popular outdoor activities doesn’t involve the water: cycling! Not only is bicycling an affordable way to get around the island, but it’s also a great way to get some exercise and see the island in a whole new way. Luckily, Anna Maria Island has several convenient bike trails that make it easy for you to navigate anywhere you’d like to go!
Coquina Bike Path
Coquina Beach is a popular attraction in the city of Bradenton Beach at Anna Maria Island’s southern end. You can easily travel the length of the shoreline thanks to the Coquina Bike Path! This multi-use trail will take you all the way down Coquina Beach with a gorgeous view of the sand and the water. You can also take the path onto Gulf Drive to go into Bradenton Beach and experience all the incredible shops and restaurants downtown. If you find yourself at the island’s southern end, this is a bike trail you won’t want to miss!
City Bike Paths
Throughout the island, there are several city bike paths that you can use to easily navigate the island. Specifically, Gulf Drive has convenient bike paths that take riders along the main thoroughfare and can get you in between AMI’s three cities in a snap. Many of the paths along the island are multi-use, so you’ll likely see walkers along the path instead of only bikers. The Pine Avenue path is a good option as well, and it’s only going to get better thanks to the ongoing renovations. No matter where you are on the island, you should be able to find a path that takes you to any attraction you please.
State Park and Nature Preserves
If you’re wanting to take a bike ride through nature, head 15 minutes away from Anna Maria Island to get to Robinson Preserve in mainland Bradenton (not to be confused with Bradenton Beach on the island). This 487-acre preserve has a 7.5-mile trail for walking and biking. You’ll be taken through the most beautiful sections of the preserve, putting you face-to-face with the wildlife and bird species within the preserve.
Another option to bike in Bradenton is Lake Manatee State Park. This destination lies just outside of the city and maintains 6.5 miles of trail for you to experience. On your bike ride, you’ll go through several different types of ecosystems like sand pine scrubs and flatwoods. You’ll also get to see wildlife species like foxes, bobcats, and eagles!
Bradenton Beach Bike Paths
Bradenton Beach can be easily reached with the bike paths throughout the island. When you combine all the bike paths around the island, they connect for more than 50 miles of trail! The bike lanes throughout Bradenton Beach connect you to many of the attractions we’ve already discussed, like Coquina Beach. You can also use the bike paths here to get to nearby locations like Cortez Beach or Longboat Key.
Perhaps the best part of these bike paths is the fact that you don’t have to bring your own bike! There are tons of bike rental shops where you can get equipment for the entire family. Once you’ve rented your bike and explored the island to your heart’s content, you can head back to our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals to relax with your loved ones. We can’t wait to show you why we love AMI! Contact us today to learn more about our vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island!