Cars may still be king in the city, but more and more Philadelphians are ditching their autos and, whether for business or pleasure, taking to the streets on bicycle. Anyone looking to make the switch ought to buy a copy of Where to Bike Philadelphia by Julie Lorch first.

A Philly local author and photographer, Lorch explored the region’s 200 miles of bikes path, including the extensive 9,200-acre Fairmont Park System, which composes 10 percent of the city. She also hit the road in the suburbs, where winding back roads presented an entirely different challenge. Fifty adult rides (and 21 family-friendly ones) in all—they offer short jaunts and long hauls, easy rides and steep climbs, even traffic-free loops.

Explore the city on two wheels with WTB Philadelphia. (Courtesy author)

It doesn’t matter whether you’re just getting behind the handlebars for the first time in years, the book’s infectious energy and street-level knowledge will prove valuable. She traces her experiences through ride logs and backs it up with street and altitude maps.

For the cyclist in a hurry, each are broken down by name, terrain, distance, Where to Bike Rating, and whether or not it is kid friendly. Also, it provides connections to public transit and secondary departures, for cyclists who want to create longer routes.

Good for Me, Good for You
Cycling, the book points out, is not just beneficial to the rider, it builds communities and encourages positive interaction. It is a lifelong sport for people of all ages, abilities, and physical conditions and encourages environmental responsibility. In short, it’s good for everyone when we get out from behind the windshield.

A portion of every sale of Where to Bike Philadelphia will be donated to World Bicycle Relief, which specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle programs supporting poverty relief and disaster recovery initiatives.

Bottom Line
Philly is a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community. And WTB Philadelphia, full of warm, engaging pictures and anecdotes, showcases a city that is getting more fun to travel by bike every day. Thankfully Lorch has endured the wrong turns and close calls so the reader can avoid them.

So grab a soft pretzel and head down to the art museum with your bike and a copy of this book—there’s no telling where you might ride off to.