Who needs cupid when you’ve got a bike?

By Liz McLaughlin, BikePGH volunteer

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and, luckily for you, dating and bicycles go hand-in-hand! Whether you’re looking to woo your partner back onto two wheels, reignite your love of cycling, plan an active date, or take your established road romance to the next level, dates on bicycles are guaranteed to lead down the bike path to love.

Rent a few bikes and cruise the river trail
Your partner hasn’t been on two wheels since they were a kid? You can give them support, have fun together, and get them confident on a bike again no time!

Give your lover the gift of confident City Cycling
Is your sweetie nervous on the road? Surprise them with a gift of private instruction for the two of you or attend a workshop together.

Plan a ride to a romantic view
If you’ve got a road sweetie already, ride to a romantic spot with a view of the city, like Mount Washington or the West End Overlook.

Visit a bike park
Tired of riding the road and trail? Check out The Wheel Mill, plan a trip to Ray’s MTB Indoor Park, or race loops with your love at the Highland Park Bud Harris Cycling Track (more commonly known as “The Oval”).

Pedal in tandem
If you’re used to riding solo together, test your commitment to one another by renting a bicycle-built-for-two! Take your tandem down the trail and enjoy the views along the river.

More tips for riding the road to romance:

• Get off the busy main streets and cruise more bikeable side streets or slip onto a bike path – check out the BikePGH map for ideas.
• Remember it’s okay to ride two abreast (and better for conversation!), but be mindful of your surroundings, pedestrians, and motorists on narrow streets.
• Match the mileage to your date. Are you meeting on a weekend afternoon with a partner who rides 100 miles for fun? Maybe you can explore places further outside the city. Otherwise, keep it to within 5 miles each way.
• Pick a place or two along the route to explore. Check out a special outdoor event, visit a gallery or new shop, or make a cafe stop.
• Schedule your ride to catch the sunset. Start your date as the sun goes down or end a great afternoon engagement with a romantic river ride into the sunset (just remember your bike lights!).
• Standard date templates work too! Plan your ride with several destinations in mind. Choose a place to enjoy an appetizer or drink, another for a delicious dinner, and end your evening with a final stop at a park to stare at the stars, or take a moment along the river to gaze over the water.

Share what you love with who you love and put a little romance in your ride!

This article was authored by Liz McLaughlin, a BikePGH volunteer. Interested in writing for the BikePGH blog? Check out our call for creatives and email volunteer@bikepgh.org.