Photo by Roy Son
Minnesota is quickly pedaling its way onto the national and international radar as a top biking destination, thanks to its unique geography, innovation in education and infrastructure, and a growing cycling culture.
Minneapolis has long been known for its excellent public parks and bike trails, and last year, the city earned a spot on PeopleForBikes’ list of “Best Large U.S. Cities for Biking,” alongside Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, California. At the heart of the city’s bike-friendly reputation is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a 51-mile loop of off-street trails that has connected neighborhoods and parks for over a century. This historic route now links seamlessly with other trails like the Midtown Greenway, Cedar Lake Trail, and Theodore Wirth Regional Park, creating a recreational cyclist’s dream network.
“There’s diversity of biking opportunities in both the metro and rural areas. When it comes to what and how you can ride, I think we’re seeing a bit of a renaissance in the cycling sector,” says Randolph Briley, executive director of outdoor recreation for Explore Minnesota. “Some of the biggest areas of growth in cycling these days are fat bikes, gravel cycling, and e-bikes… and Minnesota is uniquely able to support those types of riding.”
Photo by Roy Son
Minnesota’s bike retailers have seen a significant increase in e-bike sales over the last year, thanks in part to the accessibility of the bikes, their year-round usability, and a new statewide rebate program. Last year and this year, state lawmakers set aside millions of dollars to offset up to 75% of the costs of e-bike purchases, aiming to make the purchase of sustainable transportation easier for the average Minnesotan. The 2024 program successfully generated significant interest in e-bikes, as evidenced by the initial application website crashing in June due to high demand. Since then, almost 72% of rebates have been redeemed and Minnesotans are ready to cruise on their new e-bikes.
With over 4,000 miles of paved biking trails and countless more miles of rugged paths, Minnesotans have plenty of space to get out and ride, no matter their bike of choice. Now, as new forms of biking grow in popularity, the state is committing to making sure the next generation of Minnesota bikers are ready to safely enjoy their state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. A law passed in 2023 requires Minnesota schools to teach bike and pedestrian safety to students from kindergarten through eighth grade, with lessons and videos provided by BikeMN already rolling out. And as the state cultivates an interest in biking among its youth, Minnesota’s biking community is garnering attention on a national and international scale.
The Growth of Gravel Cycling
Gravel cycling is booming, and Minnesota is quickly becoming a hot spot for this growing sport. At the end of 2023, exercise app Strava reported a 55% annual increase in the number of users who recorded a gravel bike ride. Uniquely positioned to attract cycling enthusiasts to small towns, gravel cycling has the potential for a huge economic impact on communities with undeveloped, unpaved roads—and it seems that the momentum is carrying into this year.
“Gravel cycling is growing really fast, probably the fastest as far as the competition space,” says Briley. “It’s kind of a hybrid between mountain biking and road biking. The tires are a little bit fatter, but you do it on dirt roads or gravel roads, and Minnesota has plenty of those.” In fact, southeastern Minnesota’s extensive network of gravel roads has drawn national attention, with La Crescent set to host USA Cycling’s Gravel National Championships in September. This prestigious event will welcome the country’s top gravel cyclists to the Driftless Region, a rolling, scenic area in southeastern Minnesota known for its challenging and picturesque routes. “If you’re a gravel cyclist in the Upper Midwest or anywhere else and you want to ride some really good gravel, you come to Minnesota, particularly the southeast and the Driftless Region,” Briley adds.
Courtesy of Visit Duluth
Nearby, Winona is also known for its biking recreation opportunities. Cyclists come from across the state and the Midwest to bike along the 5-mile Lake Park Trail, which winds around Lake Winona and up to the area’s famous Sugar Loaf Bluff. In the fall, Winona’s popular Ride the Ridges event guides riders across a selection of scenic routes, ranging from a leisurely 23-mile cruise to a challenging 104-mile trek, making it perfect for riders of all levels. The route, organized by the Winona Rotary Club, winds through the rolling hills and quiet backroads of the Mississippi River Valley, and is an excellent option for leisure bikers who want to enjoy the Driftless Region’s scenery.
A Mountain Biking Mecca
Duluth has firmly established itself as one of the nation’s (and the world’s!) top mountain biking destinations, earning a Gold-Level Ride Center designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). This prestigious status, shared with only a handful of destinations worldwide—including cities in Utah, New Zealand, and Oregon—solidifies Duluth as a must-visit for bikers seeking top-tier trails. Some of this is owed to Spirit Mountain’s lift-access downhill trails, which offer everything from beginner-friendly flow to rugged expert runs, but Duluth is also an excellent access point for the many bike trails that wind up the North Shore along Lake Superior.
Additionally, Duluth is playing a key role in shaping the future of mountain biking. This fall, the city will host IMBA’s Foundations trail workshop, designed to equip attendees with the skills to create model trail communities. Participants will learn from IMBA staff, industry experts, and local stakeholders about planning, design, and promotion while touring Duluth’s intentional and diverse trail systems. The North Shore’s harsh winters, ample rivers and waterfalls, and lake-battered shores require trails and bridges to be constantly maintained against the elements. As Duluth locals prepare to usher in a new era of trail- and community-building, their commitment to existing trail sustainability is exemplified by projects like the Pincushion Trails rehabilitation, which reduces erosion and bolsters infrastructure atop a ridge overlooking Lake Superior near Grand Marais.
Courtesy of Visit Duluth
Up on Minnesota’s Iron Range, Cuyuna is a top destination for serious mountain bikers and recreational riders alike, offering incredible trails and scenery around the abandoned mine pits that made this region famous. Spanning nearly 800 acres across the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, the 50-mile trail system has earned a Silver-Level Ride Center ranking from the IMBA. Bikers can enjoy rides past the clear waters of Yawkey Mine Lake or the sweeping views from Miner’s Mountain Overlook, accessible from the Miner’s Mountain Rally Center.
North of Cuyuna, the famed Mesabi Trail stretches through the Chippewa National Forest from Grand Rapids to Ely and recently added nearly 10 more miles of trail on the north end of the route. But this is only the beginning of the trail addition, as Ely’s mountain biking community plans to eventually connect to the Mesabi, Prospector, and Trezona trails. Many now regard Ely as the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but there are plans to attract the attention of the IMBA, which has already recognized the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Cuyuna as globally significant bike destinations.
Photo by Lane Pelovsky/Meet Minneapolis
Top Community Rides in the Twin Cities
“In the past, many biking events were organized around competition, which narrows the scope of participants. And while competition is great, now we’re also seeing a lot more biking events organized around community,” says Briley. Here are a few Twin Cities community ride groups that welcome bikers of a range of ages and skill levels:
As You Go MPLS
Organized by Minneapolis Public Works, this group encourages Twin Citians to bike or walk newly opened bike lanes and trails with regular community rides. It’s a great way to explore your home, meet neighbors, and get active. Visit minneapolismn.gov for more details.
Joyful Riders Club
This monthly ride club is known for its laid-back approach to biking, seasonal celebrations, and DJ rides. Come ride, dance, and sing along. Follow the group on Facebook for up-to-date information and schedules.
The Loppet Ride Club
This year-round riding club is for mountain bikers of all skill levels. Each Saturday morning, the group takes off from Theodore Wirth Regional Park to bike around the city’s public trails. Register and download the Team App for more details.
