Keep Moving!
Bicycling and walking are fun, active, dependable, and affordable ways to get around, and offer many benefits, like improving health and reducing stress. Whether you’re interested in bicycling or walking for commuting, errands, fun, or leisure, the information and resources provided in a handout here and below will help you make the most of bicycling or walking in Marin County.
There are many services available in the county to make bicycling and walking easy and accessible:
- BikeLink Card – The BikeLink card gives you access to secure lockers for storing conventional bicycles, electric bikes, and scooters throughout the Bay Area, including at SMART stations throughout the North Bay.
- Bikes on Trains – SMART allows bikes on board and offers bike parking and secure bike lockers at stations. For more information, visit SMART.
- Bikes on Buses and Ferries – Buses and ferries can all accommodate bicycles on board, and bike parking is available at over 40 bus stops / ferry terminals. For bike rack locations, visit Golden Gate Transit.
- Emergency Ride Home – The Marin Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program, offered by the Transportation Authority of Marin, will reimburse taxi or TNC (Uber/Lyft) rides home in cases of emergency. Anyone who works in Marin County and uses transportation options, such as carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, bicycling, and walking instead of driving alone to work, is eligible.
- Bike Share – A bike share program is coming soon, and is planned to operate at and around SMART stations in Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Explore the following resources to learn more about biking and walking in Marin County:
- Marin County Bicycle Coalition Resources – Click the ‘Resources’ tab to find beginner bike tips, information about the bike match network, e-bike policies, maps, and more.
- 511 SF Bay Biking Page – Check out resources for biking to work or school, plus information on bike access and maintenance.
- Safe Routes to School Marin – Learn more about healthy commutes for your kids and get connected with other families.
- Spare the Air Youth – Review the extensive resources for biking and walking from this regional program that encourages youth and their families to walk, bicycle, carpool, and take transit.
Find the best route with these maps and guides:
- Marin Bicycle Map – Purchase a road, mountain, and transit biking map or download a PDF here.
- Google Maps – Select the bike icon or turn on the bicycling layer to plan a trip or see the bike routes in your area.
Whether you want a more active commute, a way to get more exercise, or a leisurely way to reduce stress, walking and bicycling in Marin County is a great option. Below are some helpful tips on how to get started:
- Choose your mode: Use Google Maps to determine how far away your destination is. If it’s one mile or less, walking is often a great option. If it’s over one mile, consider bicycling!
- Dust off your bike, or find the right one for you: If you need help fixing up your bicycle, or finding the right bike for you, try reaching out to a local bike shop – they are happy to help!
- Find & practice your route: Use the map resources above to plan your route ahead of time. If you are trying a new commute, consider testing it out on a weekend so that you can get comfortable and gauge how long it will take with no time constraints.
- Be prepared: Take a look at the weather forecast to figure out what clothes to wear or bring, and consider wearing something that is bright or reflective and easy to see. If you’re walking, make sure you have comfortable walking shoes. If you’re biking, make sure you’re familiar with the rules of the road and do the ABC Quick Check to make sure your bike is ready to ride.
Enjoy the ride, or walk! Bicycling and walking is good for you and our community. Not only can it help you improve your health, save money, and reduce stress, it can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion in our community.
.
Worried about being stranded? We’ve got you covered. Click here to learn more about TAM’s Emergency Ride Home program.