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Hilton Head Island is absolutely perfect for bike riding. Not only is it beautiful, it’s flat. When you first arrive here, you can’t help but notice all the bike riders. They are all over the place, meandering the miles and miles of designated bike trails, riding on the beach, exploring the Island’s beautiful treasures.
The Island is linked through a system of trails, allowing you to cycle from one end to the other. With more than 12 miles of hard-packed sandy beaches and more than 53 miles of paved public pathways, biking is a popular activity for visitors and residents alike. It’s fun, it’s affordable, and it’s a great way to take a scenic tour while avoiding traffic.
The town’s public bike trails follow alongside several main roads, starting at the south end of the Island at the back gate of Sea Pines and ending at the north end of the Island at Hilton Head Plantation. In addition to the public paths, there are nature and bike trails within the private plantations accessible to residents and guests. Many kiosks are located along the pathways with an island-wide map on one side, and a localized map of the area on the other.
Trails can be found on: William Hilton Parkway (from Sea Pines Circle to Gumtree Road); North Forest Drive and South Forest Drive; Pope Avenue and Cordillo Parkway; Palmetto Bay Road to the Cross Island Parkway; Arrow and Point Comfort Roads; Folly Field Road to Folly Field Beach Park; Marshland Road; Mathews Drive; Beach City Road; Dillon and Union Cemetery Roads; and Spanish Wells, Gumtree, Wildhorse, and Squire Pope Roads.
Guidelines and markings exist to ensure safety for cyclists. Where there are bike trails, cyclists should stay on the trails, not on the road. When a bike lane exists on the road, cyclists should ride single file and travel with traffic. White diagonal stripes and mini-stop signs indicate road crossings. When a yellow centerline appears, two-way traffic requires you to stay right. Motorized vehicles, except electric wheelchairs, are not permitted on bike paths. Finally, bicycles are not permitted on the Cross Island Parkway.
For more information about our public bike trails, please contact the Town Hall at 843-341-4600.
If you didn’t bring your own bicycle, have no fear. There are many conveniently located bike sales and rental companies that offer a wide variety of two- and three-wheeled bicycles, from beach cruisers and comfort bikes to tandems and mountain bikes.
Most companies have a free delivery and pick-up service and a full line of accessories such as helmets, child carriers, baskets, locks, and even covered kiddie carts. Rentals are available by the hour, day or week. All companies also offer bike repair and service.
Also see “Things To Do”:
42. Leave Footprints in the Sand
62. Stay Fit
Companies offering bike rentals include:
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