Irvine’s 363 miles of bikeways offer something for every kind of biker, says Matt Ford, owner and founder of Rock N Road Cyclery in Woodbury Town Center.

Ready to roll on Irvine’s 363 miles of bikeways

Irvine’s bikeways offer something for every kind of biker, says Matt Ford, owner and founder of Rock N Road Cyclery in Woodbury Town Center.

When Deborah Hinderstein decided to move from bicycle-friendly Boulder, Colorado, to Southern California, she chose Irvine.

“The trails and bike paths here are fantastic,” says Hinderstein, who bikes 150 miles a week. “It’s better than in Boulder because there are lots of places to ride and lots of cyclists here. I don’t know what other city has this kind of flexibility.”

She’s not the only one hit with the bicycling bug this spring. Sales of leisure bikes rose more than 200% in April from a year ago, according to The NPD Group, which tracks national sporting-goods sales.

Rock N Road Cyclery, in Woodbury Town Center, has seen a boom in interest.

“Cycling is a great solution for nearly everybody to get some exercise and stay in shape,” says owner Matt Ford.

A variety of bikeways

Irvine is suited for every kind of riding, he says, from mountain biking, to road biking, to commuting.

The city offers 301 miles of on-street bike lanes and nearly 62 miles of off-street bikeways. The system stretches from the mountains to the coast, connecting neighborhoods with parks, shopping centers and business hubs.

Irvine also is close to popular mountain biking spots such as Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Peters Canyon and O’Neill Regional Park.

One trend that’s been growing this spring is family biking, Ford says. People are dusting off bikes in the garage, taking them in for repairs or buying new bikes to ride together.

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to spend time together as a family,” says Nancy Park, of Portola Springs, who recently began riding with her two children. “My kids were always scheduled with soccer or volleyball, so we never really took the time to bike. It’s been so much fun.”

How to get started

If you are looking to get into cycling, you should first decide your goal, Ford says. Do you want to get fit? Ride casually with your family and friends?

“It’s always fun when you ride with someone else,” he says.

Before shopping, decide how much you want to spend on your new bike.

One option is electric bicycles. They are great for beginners to keep up with more advanced cyclists, or to simply enjoy the freedom of getting around without a car.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions at the store.

“I still ride bikes every day,” says Ford, who founded Rock N Road Cyclery 29 years ago. “We’re sharing our passion. You’re not going to get rich working at a bike shop. It’s a lifestyle. I love the community. I love the sport.”


Find a trail that is right for you


Hicks Canyon Trail

This pleasant 2-miler offers a two-lane paved path along the Hicks Canyon Wash and is shaded most of the way by majestic eucalyptus trees. Connects to Peters Canyon Trail for longer rides.

Mountains to Sea
Mountains to Sea

The backbone of the 57,500 acres of preserved open space on The Irvine Ranch, this trail winds through oak canyons and along creek beds all the way to Upper Newport Bay.

Shady Canyon Trail


Shady Canyon Trail

Stunning views of Strawberry Farms Golf Course and preserved hillsides create a picturesque scene on this 2.5-mile bike path that connects Quail Hill with Bommer Canyon.


  • Helping you hike

    One reason why hiking on The Irvine Ranch is so rewarding is due to the good work of the Irvine …

  • 10,000 steps at Mason Regional Park 

    On a recent Sunday in between late-winter rainstorms, I spent a sunny morning at Irvine’s 339-acre William R. Mason Regional …

  • New ways to explore Irvine’s wilderness

    Hikers, bikers and picnickers now have new ways to enjoy Irvine’s northern open space crown jewels: over 20,000 acres designated …

  • A walker’s paradise

    Editor’s note: This is the first of a regular column that shares with readers cool locations in Irvine to log …