Bike Rental Options Along the Schuylkill in Philadelphia

The Schuylkill River Trail will eventually make it possible to bike from the headwaters of the river to Philadelphia, a 140 - mile trip. Currently one can go from the Schuylkill Banks in Center City to East Falls along Kelly Drive in East Falls and then after a brief on-road portion on Ridge Avenue, connect with the Manayunk Canal Towpath at Lock and Main Streets. This scenic path is a favorite recreational spot for walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and bicyclists. Varied trail surfaces in Philadelphia make some sections more conducive to certain activities. Many do the eight-mile loop from East Falls to the Art Museum circling back by way of the East Falls Bridge. Others opt to travel on the trail to Valley Forge and beyond by way of the Canal Towpath.

Yet another option along this section of riverfront is to connect with hiking and mountain biking trails along the Wissahickon Creek. Eventually there will also be cross-river connections by way of the Cynwyd Trail and Ivy Ridge Trail between Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township.

Now there are more options than ever for those looking to bike in this area and avoid the hassle of hauling their own bikes. Below is a list of businesses who do bike rentals:

Valley Forge Bike Rentals
3269 South Ferry Road (at the Trolley Car Cafe at the Bathey in East Falls)
(610) 783-4593, http://valleyforgebikes.com

Human Zoom
4159 Main Street (Manayunk)
215-487-7433, http://humanzoom.com

Lloyd Hall Bike Shack
1 Boathouse Row
215-568-6002, open weekends only