Families have nice places to bike in Modesto area. And some not so nice. Your thoughts?
The extra-chilly winter of 2025 is finally waning, perfect for bicycling in Stanislaus County.
Families can get exercise and cut down on driving costs in the sunny months ahead. A caveat: While we have many bike paths that are both safe and pleasant, motor vehicles still dominate the streetscape.
Like many places around the world, our streets since the 1950s have been built mainly for cars and trucks. We also are part of a counter-trend: Some neighborhoods now have roundabouts and other traffic-calming measures. And they could connect better in the coming years to the major trails that are already in place or planned.
The Modesto Bee compiled some of the best and worst places to ride. We invite readers to add their own favorites and to suggest fixes for problem areas. They can do it by email at jholland@modbee.com.
So strap on your helmet and journey with us through cycling’s present and future. (And if your bike has been in the garage all winter, be sure to check the tires, brakes and gears.)
What are some of the better routes now?
VIRGINIA CORRIDOR TRAIL: This popular bikeway is on a one-time railroad grade running north from Needham Street. It goes as far as Woodrow Avenue for now, including a bridge over busy Briggsmore Avenue. The next phase over Standiford Avenue could start construction within a few months, for a total length of five miles. The trail is mostly away from motor vehicles and passes several neighborhoods, parks and schools.
DRY CREEK REGIONAL PARK: It, too, draws a lot of families and is entirely separated from motor vehicles. The east end of the four-mile route links seamlessly to the protected bikeway on part of Claus Road. The west end has an awkward connection to the downtown street grid, but frequent riders can figure it out. Like the Virginia Corridor, several neighborhoods abut Dry Creek.
HETCH HETCHY TRAIL: A paved path sits under three miles of transmission lines from San Francisco’s hydropower system high on the Tuolumne River. It passes through many north Modesto neighborhoods but seems to get little use. The east end is near the auto row on north McHenry Avenue, not very scenic or useful. The path has wide traffic crossings at Standiford Avenue and Tully and Prescott roads. The west leg ends at Sisk and Rumble roads, just a quarter-mile from Vintage Faire Mall. The city might make that crossing less forbidding as part of a redo of the nearby Standiford interchange on Highway 99. The Hetch Hetchy Trail also will connect to the upcoming extension of the Virginia Corridor.
TUOLUMNE RIVER REGIONAL PARK: These seven miles are a mostly hidden gem, due to concerns such as trash dumping and homeless camps. The best biking is near the airport neighborhood at the east end, with paths for both street and mountain bikes. The centerpiece one day will be the Gateway area near downtown. It already has paved and dirt paths and will get a better entry when the Seventh Street bridge is replaced in a few years. The trails are all dirt for now the rest of the way to Carpenter Road.
CLAUS ROAD: The path runs for a mile from Johansen High School to Briggsmore Avenue, with raised berms separating it from motor vehicles. It will be extended about a half-mile north by the developer of a 527-home project now under construction. The new neighborhood also will have interior bike lanes and an easy link to the adjacent Amtrak station. Bikes are allowed on the trains, as well as local buses.
Where is biking not so great in Modesto?
BRIGGSMORE AVENUE: The best and worst of bike path design are on this expressway. Riders have just painted stripes on the four miles between Oakdale and Sisk roads. The path has a gap atop Highway 99 but becomes fully protected from there on. Riders can safely reach the Modesto Junior College West Campus or turn onto a similar path on North Ninth Street. Like Standiford, this interchange could get biking upgrades.
MORE ABOUT NORTH NINTH: The path runs as far south as MJC East but seems to be little-used, perhaps due to the semi-industrial surroundings. The city could start work by fall on lighting and landscaping the route and extending it to the downtown transportation center. The depot serves bus riders now and could have its first Altamont Corridor Express train late next year. The Ninth Street project also features roundabouts at Needham, Tully and Carver Road. The funding source also helped with expansion of the Archway Commons apartment complex on Carver.
SOUTH NINTH STREET: This stretch could get better if the county secures funding for a recently adopted plan. For now, bicyclists have no dedicated lanes between the Tuolumne River and Highway 99. They also lack a simple way into this part of the river park.
What about Turlock and other nearby locales?
TURLOCK: Cyclists have a nice mile-long path on Canal Drive from the northern edge of downtown to the eastern city limit. It is fully separated from Canal and has numerous cross streets with light to moderate traffic. The trail passes by Crane Park, two schools and the shopping center with Village Fresh Market.
CERES: A protected path runs for two miles just east of Mitchell Road between Hatch and Service roads. Three schools are within a quarter-mile. So is the Mitchell commercial district, though cyclists must cross eight traffic lanes to reach Walmart.
SALIDA: This town does not have a notable path of its own, but a bike bridge crosses the Stanislaus River a quarter-mile away. Unfortunately, it has been closed since a large tree fell on it in fall 2023. A new bridge could be installed this year, but a timeline was not available. On its north side is Mavis Stouffer Park in Ripon. It offers trails, picnic spots, sports fields and more along two river miles.
Can you bike along an irrigation canal?
Cyclists are not allowed on most of the canals owned by the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts and other suppliers. The agencies are concerned about people falling into the waterways. They carry mostly snowmelt and can be deceptively fast and cold.
The exceptions are where the districts have agreed to allow access, with fences and other safeguards. These include the Canal Drive path in Turlock and the one near Mitchell Road in Ceres. Both are owned by TID.
Those canals divert water from the Tuolumne, which then flows on to the regional park. It is much reduced from natural conditions, but much of the native oak forest is intact.
Families can learn more about the Tuolumne River Regional Park at the annual RecFest on April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gateway area. The free event offers biking, paddling, fishing, nature study and more. The Tuolumne River Trust puts it on with numerous partners. Attendees can borrow bikes, boats and fishing gear at no cost.
This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
