Mesa Guide: Separated Bike Paths Perfect for Toddlers & Training Wheels

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Right now, Mesa boasts nearly 15 miles of maintained, separated pathways that provide a safe alternative for families looking to practice biking (or riding scooters, running and walking) and it feels like they’re still a little bit of a best kept secret. 

When we’re bored of traditional park play, these off-road, protected pathways are a fun change of pace while still getting fresh air and movement with our kids.

Read on for our go-to pathways across Mesa.

XO,

EVM

Our Favorite Path in Mesa

One of our favorites is the Rio Salado Pathway, it starts at the Mesa Riverview Park where riders enter through a tunnel painted with a stunning mural painted by a local Mesa-born artist. Once you pedal through the tunnel, you can bike east into Mesa or west into Tempe (Mesa coordinated with the City of Tempe to connect the cities together through this pathway).

These pathways are 100 percent away from any road traffic, making them perfect for kids to ride along. If you’re driving to one, we suggest either the Porter Pathway or the Rio Salado Pathway, so you can get a double-header outing by hitting up the playgrounds that are at both pathways as well.

The City has created drone fly-over videos for the full pathways to help parents plan their routes before packing everybody up in the car.

New Pathways coming near Eastmark & Lehi Crossing

Starting soon, the Mesa Gateway pathway in southeast Mesa is also about to be expanded south from Elliot to Hawes on the west side of the freeway.

For our neighbors in Lehi Crossing, the City is beginning to design a new pathway that would provide a connected pathway on the pre-existing SRP canal that is behind the neighborhood. This was part of the 2018 City of Mesa Parks & Rec bond that voters approved.

There are additional proposed pathways that Mesa’s Bike & Pedestrian Program including the Red Mountain Shared Use Path along Power Road from the SR202 Park and Ride to the North City limit. 

As always, when you’re taking your kids out on two-wheels, remember that a properly fitted helmet is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your kiddos safe while riding. The City of Mesa also offers free helmets to Mesa residents who need them. Learn more at mesaaz.gov/bikeped

 

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