Biking in Orlando-Disney World

Biking

Walt Disney World

The most scenic biking in Orlando is on Walt Disney World property, along roads that take you past forests, lakes, golf courses, wooded campgrounds, and resort villas. Most rental locations have children's bikes with training wheels and bikes with baby seats, in addition to regular adult bikes. Disney's lawyers are always watching out for liability problems, so management asks that you wear helmets, which are free with all bike rentals.

Theoretically, bike rentals are only for those lodging on WDW property; in practice, rental outfits usually check IDs only in busy seasons. Bikes must be used, however, only in the area in which you rent them. You must be 18 or older to rent a bike at all Disney locations.

You can rent bikes for $8 per hour and surrey bikes for $20 (two seats) and $22 (four seats) per half hour at the Barefoot Bay Marina (407/934-2850), open daily from 10 to 5. Regular bikes at Coronado Springs Resort (407/939-1000), near Disney-MGM Studios, rent for $8 per hour or $22 per day, and surrey bikes rent for $17 (two seats) and $22 (four seats) per half hour. The surrey bikes look like old-fashioned carriages and are a great way to take your family on a sightseeing tour. The covered tops provide a rare commodity at Disney -- shade. At Fort Wilderness Bike Barn (407/824-2742), bikes rent for $8 per hour and $22 per day. At the BoardWalk Resort (407/939-6486 surrey bikes), near Disney-MGM Studios, two types of bikes are available at two separate kiosks. Surrey bikes cost $20, $22 and $24 per half hour, depending on the size of the bike. Regular bicycles are $8 per hour.

Orlando Area

Thanks to the Orlando community's commitment to the nationwide Rails to Trails program, the city now has several bike trails, converted from former railroad lines, in both rural and urban surroundings. You can venture into the city of Winter Park and pick up a trail that starts at the mall, or travel into the backwoods through heavily vegetated landscape and by scenic lakes. The Clermont-Lake County region is out in the boonies, where orange groves provide great scenery, and some hills afford challenges. Information about Orlando bike trails can be obtained from the Orlando City Transportation Planning Bureau (407/246-3347. www.cityoforlando.net).

The West Orange Trail, the longest bike trail in the Orlando area, runs some 20 mi through western Orlando and the neighboring towns of Winter Garden and Apopka. Highlights of the trail are the xeriscape-butterfly garden a mile east of the Oakland Outpost and views of Lake Apopka. You can access the trail at Chapin's Station (501 Crown Point Cross Rd., Winter Garden, 34787. 407/654-1108). West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades (17914 State Rd. 438, Winter Garden. 407/877-0600) rents bicycles and in-line skates.

A favorite of local bikers, joggers, and skaters, the Cady Way Trail connects eastern Orlando with the well-manicured enclave suburb of Winter Park. The pleasant trail is only 3 1/2 mi long, with water fountains and shaded seating along the route. The best access point is the parking lot on the east side of the Orlando Fashion Square Mall (3201 E. Colonial Dr., about 3 mi east of I-4 Exit 83B). You can also enter the trail at its east end, in Cady Way Park (1300 S. Denning Ave.).