Minnesota · United States
Cycling in Minneapolis
Best season: May-October
Minneapolis is built for riding. The Midtown Greenway, a below-grade former rail corridor, carries cyclists across the south side car-free, connecting to the Chain of Lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet) and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail into downtown. Stitching it together is the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a roughly 50-mile loop of parkway trails along the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Falls, and the lakes. Protected downtown bike lanes and a flat-to-rolling landscape make it approachable for casual riders.
For a bike-friendly base, the Hewing Hotel in the North Loop offers guest loaner bikes near the Cedar Lake Trail and river paths, while Emery (Autograph Collection) downtown runs the Emery Bikes program with Zybra cruisers. Hyatt Centric Downtown also offers guests complimentary city bikes from the front desk. To rent, head to Wheel Fun Rentals on Bde Maka Ska for cruisers and tandems right on the Chain of Lakes, or to shop rentals at Angry Catfish (gravel and e-bikes) and the Loppet Foundation at Theodore Wirth Park.
Note on bike-share: the pioneering Nice Ride docked system, operated by Lyft, was suspended in 2023 and did not return; as of 2026 the city’s shared options are dockless electric bikes and scooters from Lime and Veo via their apps, with a formal docked relaunch only in the study phase. Ride season runs roughly May through October, with fall color along the river parkways being a highlight.
Minneapolis marks midsummer with the Aquatennial each July, a free civic festival of parades, a fireworks show, and lakeside activities running since 1940 — much of it near the Chain of Lakes bike paths.
Weather in Minneapolis
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · LOWER ST. ANTHONY FALLS- Jan 22° 8° 0.9"
- Feb 27° 12° 0.9"
- Mar 40° 24° 1.6"
- Apr 55° 36° 3.3"
- May 69° 49° 4.3"
- Jun 79° 58° 4.8"
- Jul 83° 64° 4.6"
- Aug 80° 62° 4.5"
- Sep 72° 54° 3.4"
- Oct 56° 40° 3.0"
- Nov 40° 27° 1.7"
- Dec 27° 15° 1.3"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Hewing Hotel
Boutique hotel in a century-old timber warehouse in the North Loop, steps from the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and Mississippi River paths. Guests can borrow house bikes to explore the parks and riverfront.
Before you book: Confirm current complimentary loaner-bike program terms (number of bikes, hours, any fee or waiver) directly with the hotel; the hotel's own amenities page was not accessible to verify.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Emery, Autograph Collection
Downtown boutique hotel in the historic Midland Bank Building offering the Emery Bikes program: Zybra cruiser bikes available to rent from sunrise to sunset through the Zybra app, with suggested routes to the Chain of Lakes, Midtown Greenway, and Grand Rounds.
Before you book: Aggregator reports a complimentary first hour of riding for hotel guests; confirm this perk and rental pricing with the hotel.
Bike program verified via source (2026-07-18)
Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis
Downtown hotel where guests can pick up a complimentary city bike from the front desk to explore the riverfront and downtown bike lanes.
Before you book: Confirm the complimentary front-desk bike program is still active and its hours/availability directly with the hotel.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Where to stay in Minneapolis
Live rates near Minneapolis, powered by Stay22. Prices update in real time; we may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
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Where to rent or borrow a bike
Wheel Fun Rentals - Bde Maka Ska
From $14/hour
Seasonal rentals right on the Chain of Lakes at Bde Maka Ska, offering 3-speed cruisers, tandems, surreys, and choppers; also at Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, and Minnehaha Park. Ideal for a lakeside loop.
Call ahead: Hourly starting price ($14) is from Meet Minneapolis; confirm current rates and seasonal open dates on the operator's site.
Verified via source (2026-07-18)
Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop
From $75/24 hours · waiver required
Neighborhood shop and coffee bar near the Mississippi River parkway offering gravel bikes, e-bikes, and (in winter) fat bikes to demo/rent; rental fees can be applied toward a bike purchase within 90 days.
Call ahead: Exact pricing ($75/24hr, $175/weekend) is from Meet Minneapolis; confirm current demo/rental rates and reservation policy with the shop.
Verified via source (2026-07-18)
The Loppet Foundation - Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park
From $40/3 hours · waiver required
Rentals at the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park: road bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes, plus free balance bikes for kids. Direct access to Wirth Park singletrack and the Grand Rounds parkway trails.
Call ahead: Confirm bike types, 3-hour/full-day rates, and availability directly with the Loppet Foundation.
Reported via source (2026-07-18)
Tangletown Bike Shop
Rates by phone
South Minneapolis shop offering road bikes, step-through bikes, fat-tire bikes, and e-bikes for rent, close to the Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek trails.
Call ahead: Confirm rental inventory, pricing, and hours with the shop.
Reported via source (2026-07-18)
Lime & Veo Dockless E-Bikes
Rates by phone
No storefront (pin set at downtown center). After Nice Ride's docked bike-share was suspended in 2023 and not revived, Minneapolis's shared micromobility is provided by dockless electric bikes and scooters from Lime and Veo, unlocked and paid via their mobile apps. A city-backed docked relaunch was still in the study/funding phase as of 2026.
Call ahead: Operator lineup (Lime/Veo) and coverage can change season to season; confirm current providers via the City of Minneapolis bike-share page.
Reported via source (2026-07-18)
Guided bike tours
Minneapolis City Highlights Bike Tour
Minneapolis By Bike · 2.5h · from $90
Guided, narrated city bike tour (roughly 2-3 hours) hitting downtown, the riverfront, and lake highlights; bike and helmet included, with helmet-embedded speakers so the guide can narrate en route. Bookable on Viator.
Where these are on the map Minneapolis
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 8 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors