The 9 Neighborhoods in the Sacramento Area With the Best Bike Scores

With an overall Bike Score of 69, the city of Sacramento is very accommodating to bikers. In fact, back in 2015, Sacramento was ranked the #5 most bike-friendly city in the nation by BetterDoctor, Inc.! And in the years since, the city’s bikeability has only improved.

Over the past year or so, the city of Sacramento has made a dramatic effort to become more bike-friendly. Just take a look at 10 of the most recent biking projects and initiatives, including added bike lanes, educational initiatives, helpful resources, and improved biking infrastructure.

Then dust off those wheels and explore the many bike-friendly neighborhoods in and around Sacramento. When in doubt, hop on the American River Parkway, a 23-mile paved mixed-use trail with several access points, or any of the other biking trails in the region. Wherever your adventure takes you, we hope you enjoy traveling through the city on wheels!

Midtown

Bike Score: 100

With a perfect score of 100, Midtown is an oasis for bikers. The area has both a laid-back residential feel and access to a myriad of eateries, coffee shops, bars and more. This rare combination makes it easy for bikers to maneuver the tree-lined streets to get to and from their favorite place — or even to work downtown.

The city recently launched the Tower Bridge Bike Share Preview, which includes a 50 Smart Bike system with stations and routes throughout West Sacramento, downtown and Midtown. If you don’t have a bike of your own, this is a simple and convenient way to travel through the city on wheels!

Downtown

Bike Score: 98

With a nearly perfect Bike Score and several bike lanes running through the heart of the city, downtown Sacramento is an excellent place for bikers. Downtown residents may even swap their four-wheeled transportation for the more cost-effective two-wheeled alternative, taking full advantage of the city’s bike-friendly environment. In fact, many residents bike to work and to restaurants in surrounding neighborhoods, such as Midtown, Upper Land Park, or across the bridge to West Sacramento.

North Oak Park

Bike Score: 95

North Oak Park is a pleasant place for bike commuters, as it has quiet streets easy for bikers to maneuver, a concentration of restaurants and shops in its boundaries, and a number of bike lanes weaving throughout the streets. North Oak Park is primarily residential with a collection of businesses along Broadway Street, which most residents may easily bike to within minutes. Just south of the neighborhood lies McClatchy Park, which makes an excellent destination for bikers — especially when the Oak Park Farmers’ Market is happening each Saturday from May through October.

Med Center

Bike Score: 94

Just north of Oak Park, you will find the Med Center community, anchored by the UC Davis Medical Center. This quaint residential community enjoys access to the nearby attractions in Oak Park. Plus, the tree-lined streets dotted with bungalows, Tudors and Craftsman homes provide an ideal setting for cruising to a nearby coffee shop by bike. The neighborhood is known for hosting the UC Davis Health System Farmers’ Market from late April through October.

Old North Sacramento

Bike Score: 90

This hidden gem located just a few miles northeast of downtown is a great place for bikers. Most of the activity in Old North Sacramento takes place along Del Paso Boulevard, which hosts a number of restaurants, shops and other businesses. Residents living in surrounding streets may easily bike to this lively street or simply enjoy a pleasant bike ride throughout the tree-lined neighborhood. Old North Sacramento is also near the American River Parkway, a popular mixed-use trail for bikers!

Davis

Bike Score: 89

Home to UC Davis, Davis is considered one of the nation’s most bike-friendly cities, as it offers more than 100 miles of bike paths and lanes. While the entire city has an impressive Bike Score of 89, there are a handful of areas in Davis (including University Avenue and Old East Davis) with perfect scores of 100. This vibrant college town is so proud of its bike culture, it even has an organization dedicated to preserving the bike culture. Bike Davis is a nonprofit citizen group dedicated to promoting bicycling in Davis through advocacy, education, encouragement and design.

Upper Land Park

Bike Score: 89

Upper Land Park is a quiet enclave nestled alongside Land Park, just south of downtown and east of the Sacramento River. Residents may easily access the many attractions of Land Park, including the myriad of restaurants, shops and other businesses along Broadway, while still enjoying the laid-back feel of this residential neighborhood. The paved, 9.5-mile Sacramento River Parkway Trail runs alongside the river, providing a pleasant bike path with plenty of shade and beautiful river views.

East Sacramento

Bike Score: 86

Considered one of the finest enclaves of the city, East Sacramento is a particularly enjoyable place to be whether or not you have a bike. Not only are there plenty of local hotspots in the neighborhood to bike to, but also a bike ride through this scenic neighborhood is downright dreamy — especially if you’re in the Fab Forties area, filled with immaculate historic homes. During your bike ride, you will pass a myriad of home styles, including Mediterranean, colonial revival, craftsman and Tudor with lush foliage overhead providing ample shade throughout your journey.

Curtis Park

Bike Score: 84

Curtis Park is a tight-knit community nestled just south of the city, adjacent to Land Park. Residents may easily bike throughout the neighborhood, to the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, the iconic Gunther’s Ice Cream Shop, and other local attractions, including those in neighboring Land Park, like the Sacramento Zoo, Funderland Park, or Fairytale Town. Most recently, the city added the City College Pedestrian and Bike Bridge, which spans over the railroad tracks adjacent to Sacramento City College. This new bridge connects the Curtis Park community to City College and the light rail station for bikers and pedestrians alike.

Happy Biking!

What areas do you enjoy exploring by bike? We’d love to know which neighborhoods receive the highest scores according to you. Let us know in the comments below!