About Charleston
WalkScore: 40
TransitScore: 23
BikeScore: 52
League of American Cyclists Community Rating: not currently rated
Maps
Charleston is an attractive place for the would-be cycle tourist. It has that easy southeastern coastal climate. It's pretty flat, the food is fantastic, the pace is slow, and the people are very friendly. It's full of history, it's easy to navigate, and it has a vibrant arts scene. Charleston is charming in a way that few American cities can match, and charm is important. Charm is elusive. Charm can't be planned, budgeted, or bought. Real charm happens organically over a very long period of time, usually through a combination of good decisions and dumb luck. Charleston has undoubtedly benefited from both, and rolling along its quiet old boulevards, passing block after block of old mansions framed by palm trees is a joy.
A must do is crossing the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and if you have kids stop at the playground under the bridge on the Mount Pleasant side.
City Guide
Culture
Fat tired beach cruiser bikes dominate the local bike scene, and riding tends to be slow, casual, and upright. The rider population is very diverse, spanning all income ranges.
Etiquette
Hand signals are rare, other than the ubiquitous friendly southern wave “hello.” You should not ride against 1-way traffic (“salmoning”) but people here frequently do.
Safety
Car speeds are pretty slow, and visibility is good with mostly long straight roads. A front white light is legally required, as is a red rear reflector. We found that we needed the extra light to see by, as many of Charleston’s streets are not well lit at night. We could not find any helmet law.
Security
We found bike corrals all over town, which provide properly secure bike parking options. We also observed many, many bikes locked up outside overnight, leading us to believe there isn’t a particularly high rate of bike theft.
Best Bike Rides in Charleston
These routes were curated by local Charleston folk who wanted to share their #BestBikeRide with you. Print off the map for free!
Photo by Holy Spokes bike share.
Bikes
Spinlister
Spinlister is like the Airbnb of bikes! Use promo code, BIKABOUT, for $10 off
Bike Share
Holy Spokes - $8/hour for an upright city bike with a front rack for carrying personal items as well as front and rear lights for visibility at night. This bike share system also features a special 30 minute “hold” feature for quick runs into the corner market or coffee shop.
Rentals
Bicycle Shoppe - $7/hour, $28/day, $50/week - Fuji Cape May cruiser with basket and lock
Tours
Charleston Bicycle Tours - $1295 per person - multi day tours with accommodations
Places
We're constantly updating this list of our favorite bike shops, coffee shops, restaurants, museums, scenic vistas, playgrounds, ice cream, microbreweries and more in Charleston!
Lodging
Bikabout’s Favorites
Photo by NotSo Hostel
156 Spring Street, Charleston, +18437228383
Bike Amenities: bike rentals, located in a bike friendly neighborhood
Photo by Spectator Hotel
67 State Street, Charleston, +18437244326
Bike Amenities: bike rentals, located in a bike friendly neighborhood
Photo by Vendue Inn
19 Vendue Range, Charleston, +18435777970
Bike Amenities: complimentary bikes, located in a bike friendly neigbhorhood
other Hotels
Hotels that provide complimentary bikes and other bike amenities
Transportation
City Transit
CARTA - racks for 2 bikes on all buses
Train
Amtrak Silver Service / Palmetto (Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Savannah, Washington DC) - allows folding bikes or boxed bikes checked as baggage
Ferry
Charleston Water Taxi - service to Mount Pleasant, the Aquarium and Waterfront Park. Bikes allowed for free.
Bus
GoToBus - “Bicycles may be transported based on space availability. Additional luggage space cannot be reserved.”
Airline
Alaska Air - $25 to check bike
JetBlue - $50 to check bike (folding bikes in container under 62 dimensional inches and 50 lbs are FREE)
Support Local Advocates
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This route celebrates the oceanic bounty of the Lowcountry, as interpreted by chefs working in highbrow and lowbrow restaurants.