Grand Rapids Adds 12 Miles of Protected Cycling Paths for Families

Grand Rapids added 4.2 miles of protected family bike lanes this spring along the Kent Trails spur that runs from Butterworth Street through Millennium Park.

City records show park visits climbed 18 percent between May 2025 and May 2026, driven by parents seeking low-traffic places to ride with children. The increase comes as the Parks and Recreation Department rolls out its summer schedule of free beginner clinics that start the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.

Routes that stay off main roads

One loop begins at the parking lot on Front Street near the Grand River and follows the paved Kent Trails path west for two miles before turning south into Millennium Park. Riders stay on a 10-foot-wide trail separated from cars by a planted median. A second route starts at the John Ball Zoo entrance on Fulton Street and uses the new connector to reach Riverside Park without crossing any arterial streets. Both paths connect to restrooms, water fountains and shaded picnic tables at regular intervals.

The Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition maintains a map updated on the first of every month that lists surface conditions and any temporary closures. Volunteers from the group also lead no-drop rides for families every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. from the Wealthy Street entrance to Riverside Park.

Numbers and next steps

Kent County Health Department data released in April 2026 recorded 12,400 family bike outings on these trails during the previous 12 months, up from 9,800 the year before. Helmet rentals at the Millennium Park concession stand cost $3 for the day, and the city’s fleet of 40 kid-sized bikes is available on a first-come basis through Labor Day.

Parents can download the coalition map or stop by the Parks and Recreation office on Monroe Center to pick up printed copies. The next free skills clinic is set for July 12 at 9 a.m. in Millennium Park, with helmets and bikes provided for participants who register by phone the day before.