The Chico Bike Map: a great resource for bicyclists, hikers and pedestrians

Bike trail in Upper Bidwell Park

Bike maps assists bicyclist in selecting bicycle routes for the daily commute and recreational travel. The Chico Bike Map of 2014 provided by the Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) and the Butte Regional Transit (B Line) is an excellent example. This map features bike paths, bike lanes, bike routes, pave and unpaved connectors, bike ways and bus routes through and around the city of Chico in California.

The Chico Bike Map includes a special inlet of the pedestrian-only campus core of Chico's California State University (CSU). Why is such an inlet part of the bike map, when riding of bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, unicycles, scooters and Segways is prohibited on the inner campus? Because the campus offers over 25 bike parking sites, which are all shown on the inlet.

The detailed Chico Bike Map is also a great resource for those who like to stroll, walk or hike. What I like most about the map is that one of its sides is dedicated to the Lower Bidell Park and the Upper Bidwell Park. The Bidwell Park maps make it easy to find picnic sites and places of interest such as the Nature Center, the World of Trees, Horseshoe Lake, the Observatory, the Rod & Gun Club, the Golf Course, the Disc Golf area, the Monkey Face rocks and the Bear Hole. These sites are connected by bike trails and pedestrian paths. Further, there are mountain biking trails alongside the Chico Canyon rim. Trails are color-coded by difficulty. 

I got my bike map from the Chico Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in downtown Chico (441 Main Street, Suite 150 | Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4.00 pm). Page 1 of the map is available online.

The Chico Bike Map suggests the following Cycling Web Links for Chico, Butte County and beyond:

• Chico Velo Cycling Club - www.chicovelo.org
• California Bicycle Coalition - www.calbike.org
• Chico Corsa Cycling Club - www.chicocorsa.com
• Butte Bicycle Coalition - www.buttebicyclecoalition.org
• Safe Kids Coalition - www.buttecounty.net/publichealth
• Caltrans - www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/bike/homepage.htm

Bicyclists know that they are expected to be predictable, alert and lawful. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the right to expect the same from motorized traffic participants. 

Keywords: Chico campus, CSU, Bidwell Park, Chico Canyon, bicycling, tandem cycling, mountain biking, sustainable touring.