Hendersonville Bike Routes
Bike Route Master Plan
Whether you're a beginning rider or an experienced biker, Hendersonville has a route for you. In 2000 the Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Committee outlined routes for the city in the the Bike Route Master Plan (shown in red and orange). Generally, they provide five to ten mile long loops within the city. Click here for longer routes from twenty to forty miles (or longer if you are creative).
The best route and a favorite for the beginning rider is the Indian Lake route along the west side of the peninsula. It is relatively flat, free of traffic, and provides a ten-mile loop. You will also find it marked with the yellow Share the Road signs.
The route along the east side with its hill on Jefferson and somewhat confusing trek through Ballantrae is a little more challenging. You will also have to spend a little time in the traffic on Indian Lake road.
The beginning rider will also find the routes on the north west side of Sander's Ferry enjoyable, but to get any length to your ride you have to peddle a short distance on Walton Ferry, which is not bicycle friendly.
On the south east corner you'll find Sander's Ferry Park, which a great destination for an afternoon ride. However, be ready to tackle a couple of hills.
Cages and Douglas Bend offer a ride in the least developed portion of the city, but it isn't for the "faint of heart." Although relatively flat, the road is narrow, has no shoulders for bikes, and has lots of fast traffic.
Getting back and forth from east to west Hendersonville is really not too difficult, if you are willing to share Gallatin Road with fast car traffic. The route does have decent bike paths on either side. I find it far less risky than Cages Bend.
For laws regarding the riding of bicycles in Hendersonville, please refer to the following Municipal Code.
- Title 15. Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking
- Title 16. Streets and Sidewalks, Etc.
The original Master Plan for Bike Routes in Hendersonville was prepared in 2000. Our discussion below references that 2000 Plan. In 2006 the Greenways Committee updated the plan. Please click on the icon to the right to view the current DRAFT.
With Microsoft Internet Explorer the image opens in your Browser in reduced size to fit on your monitor. After about a minute (depending of your connection speed) drag your mouse over the image and an EXPAND TO REGULAR size button appears in the lower right-hand corner. Click on that button and the image expands to is true 48" x 36" dimension thereby enabling you to view the details in the neighborhoods that interest you.
The source for this map is at
our thanks go to David Hardin & Timothy Whitten
The number one reason my non-cycling friends give for not riding their bikes is the lack of a safe place to ride. With a few exceptions Hendersonville is a cycle friendly city. Over the next few newsletters we plan to give readers some suggested cycleable routes right in our area. There will be traffic but all safety studies indicate that cycling is still very safe and cars seldom strike cyclists. Click here to download excellent safe cycling guidelines.
Getting to most of the rides will involve cycling along Main Street, variously known as US 31E, Gallatin Road, Johnny Cash Parkway and that *!%$# busy road. Don't be put off by the heavy traffic because except for the section from New Shackle to Sanders Ferry, Main has very good shoulders. I have cycled along Main for fifteen years and have never had a near miss while I was on the shoulder proceeding in the proper direction. Crossing Main can require some patience, but can also be done safely. So don't let Main Street keep you pinned in your neighborhood. This month I'll feature the Stop 30/Saundersville Road loop, my first route out of my neighborhood. It is ten miles, easy to follow, and has just enough hills and traffic to train you for your assault on the world.
3) Douglas Bend (20 miles)
... Bruce Day
