Nebraska · United States
Cycling in Lincoln
Best season: April–October
Lincoln is a genuine trail town hiding inside a college town. The marquee ride is the MoPac Trail, a rail-trail that begins right at the University of Nebraska campus and runs 27 miles east through farm country to the edge of the Omaha metro. The in-town western section is smooth concrete; east of the city it turns to crushed limestone, so a hybrid or gravel bike is the right tool if you’re riding through to the small towns beyond. All told the city maintains roughly 180 miles of trails, including the Billy Wolff corridor out to Holmes Lake.
You can do most of it without bringing a bike. BikeLNK, Lincoln’s 24/7 bike share, keeps 130-plus pedal and e-bikes at stations across downtown, the Haymarket, and campus — and in 2026 it pushed its first station out to Holmes Lake Park. For longer days on the MoPac, the UNL Outdoor Adventures Center a few blocks from the trailhead rents mountain and touring bikes by the day or week with helmet and lock included; call ahead to confirm rates and public availability.
For a base, the Graduate by Hilton in the Haymarket is the standout: aggregators list free guest bicycles, and it sits blocks from both the campus trailhead and a cluster of BikeLNK stations — confirm the bike program when you book. Spring and fall bring the best riding weather; summer on the open limestone east of town is hot and shadeless, so start early and pack water.
Weather in Lincoln
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · LINCOLN AIRPORT- Jan 36° 14° 0.7"
- Feb 41° 18° 0.9"
- Mar 54° 29° 1.6"
- Apr 65° 39° 2.7"
- May 75° 51° 4.9"
- Jun 85° 62° 4.5"
- Jul 89° 67° 3.3"
- Aug 87° 64° 3.3"
- Sep 80° 54° 2.9"
- Oct 67° 41° 2.1"
- Nov 52° 28° 1.3"
- Dec 39° 18° 1.2"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Playful college-town hotel in Lincoln's Haymarket District blocks from the UNL campus; aggregators list free guest bicycles — a short pedal to the MoPac Trail's campus trailhead and BikeLNK stations.
Before you book: Confirm the free bike program survived the Hilton rebrand (aggregator-sourced only), fleet size, helmets/locks, waiver, and season.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-12)
Where to rent or borrow a bike
BikeLNK
Rates by phone
Lincoln's 24/7 app-based bike share: about 21 stations and 130+ traditional and e-bikes across downtown, the Haymarket, and the UNL campus, with a new Holmes Lake Park station added in May 2026. Refer to the BikeLNK app for real-time bike locations, pricing, and to unlock a bike in the service area.
Call ahead: Confirm current pass pricing and e-bike availability; UNL discounts offered.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
The Bike Rack (Lincoln)
From $30/day
Long-running south Lincoln shop at 3321 Pioneers Blvd, about four miles south of the MoPac Trail West; reported to rent hybrids for around $30/day with helmet, spare tube with tools, and a trail map included.
Call ahead: The shop joined the Trek Bicycle family — confirm rentals are still offered, current rates, and hours at (402) 488-2101.
Reported via source (2026-07-12)
UNL Outdoor Adventures Center
Rates by phone
University of Nebraska rental center at 930 N 14th St, a few blocks from the MoPac Trail's campus trailhead; rents mountain and touring bikes by the day, three days, or week with helmet and lock included.
Call ahead: Confirm non-student/public rental eligibility, current rates, and hours at 402-472-4777.
Reported via source (2026-07-12)
Where these are on the map Lincoln
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 4 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors