Alpha-Buffalo: B is for Bike Trails

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Biking is a popular way to stay in shape during the summer, and in Western New York, there are plenty of bike paths and trails for fitness buffs and casual bikers to use throughout the season. Here are some of the trails for bike riders throughout Western New York (note: always ride with a partner for safe biking).

• Amherst/Tonawanda Ellicott Creek Bike Path - ending points are North Forest Rd. near Maple Rd. in Amherst and Ellicott Creek Park in Tonawanda. The trail measures 7.2 miles from end to end, and the Amherst end has a short loop as another option. This path is also used by walkers, runners, and roller bladers.
• Clarence/Akron Pathway Trail - begins at Main St. and Salt Rd. in Clarence, connecting with the Newstead Bike Path (Davison and Clarence Center Rds.) and the Akron Trail Rail (Cedar St. and Eckerson Ave.). The initial trail is 6.5 miles and is used for walking, running, biking, and blading in summer. An additional Clarence path, known as the Peanut Line, runs along an old rail system parallel to Clarence Center Rd., from Meadowlakes Park to Kraus Rd.
• Beaver Island State Park Bike Trails - located at 2136 West Oakfield Rd. in Grand Island, Beaver Island State Park features a number of biking trails throughout its 950 acres. This multi-purpose park also features fishing, hiking, a beach for swimming, and an 18-hole golf course.
• Erie Canal Trailway - the Trailway is over 150 miles of scenic trails along the Erie Canal throughout New York, from Lockport out past Albany. The Erie Canal Heritage Trail is a multi-surface trail between Lockport and Palmyra; at various stages, the 70-mile trail is paved with stone dust, gravel, and asphalt. The Old Erie Canal Trail is 36 miles long, paved with stone dust; it runs between Dewitt and Rome, and has received National Recreation Trail designation. The Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway is an asphalt trail that runs 40 miles from Fort Hunter to Cohoes along the Mohawk River. The Glen Falls Feeder Canal Trail is a nine-mile stone dust trail in the city of Glen Falls; it runs along a surviving section of the 1820s canal system.