The Quad Cities are well-known for beautiful biking trails that meander along the mighty Mississippi River, through parks, over bridges and through history-filled sections of these beautiful riverfront cities.
When bicycling around the Quad Cities—Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline/East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois, there is a lot to see from the riverfront bike paths. But there are also restaurants, attractions, stores, and parks not too far from the bike path that can make for an enjoyable trip on your bicycle.
The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau has created a new online bicycle guide on their website at www.visitquadcities.com with maps and descriptions for places along the Mississippi River Trail, Great River Trail, Duck Creek bike path, and Arsenal Island.
**DIRECTLINK – www.visitquadcities.com/biking.php
The online guide is divided out by sections so people can view just what specific area they are interested in biking. It also marks the mileage, Visitor Centers, Channel Cat Water Taxi stops, dining, shopping, attractions, and places to safely cross the Mississippi River.
“The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau has rented bicycles for ten years and the existing bike path maps didn’t show visitors where they could stop for lunch or go to attractions when they are bicycling around the Quad Cities for the afternoon,” says Jessica Waytenick, QCCVB Public Relations & Marketing Manager.
Locals along with visitors from around the U.S. and abroad have hit the trails in the Quad Cities for the wonderful views, paved trails, and fun things to do along the way. You can even learn a bit of history as you cruise along. River Action’s e-Tour brings new technology to the riverfront. QR Codes and web addresses on riverfront signs link trail users to information on RiverWay art, historical significance of river landmarks, wildlife and other facts about the Mississippi River and riverfront. The e-Tour is free and both smartphone and tablet-friendly. www.riveraction.org
Even if you show up without a bike, the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau can help you get out and explore the trail scene. Bicycles can be rented from Union Station Visitor Center, 102 S. Harrison in downtown Davenport, Iowa; and the RiverStation Visitor Center & Gift Shop, 1601 River Drive in downtown Moline, Illinois. These centers are both located right on the bike paths.
Bikes can be rented by the hour or by the day. Different sizes and kids’ bikes are available and each rental comes with a helmet and lock. In addition to regular bicycles, tandems, kiddie trailers, and trail-behind bikes for younger riders are also available to rent. Rentals are available April through November. Bikes can be rented by the hour for $7.00 or by the day for $28.00.
“The bike paths are an excellent way to explore both sides of the river in the Quad Cities,” says Jessica Waytenick, QCCVB Public Relations & Marketing Manager. “Currently, we are the only organization renting bicycles in the Quad Cities.” The QCCVB partners with TREK Bicycle Store in Davenport on this program.
For information on bicycle rentals, trails, and the Quad Cities area, contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 39-277-0937 or 800-747-7800 or visit their website at www.visitquadcities.com.
The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2-½ hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.
