By Ken Striplin
City Manager
As temperatures start to drop and we see the telltale signs of fall in the forecast, we know there is no time like the present to be outside experiencing all Santa Clarita has to offer. Long recognized as one of the healthiest and most active areas in California, the City of Santa Clarita has thousands of acres of open space, miles of off-street trails and dozens of parks waiting to be explored.
Cycling is one of the most popular ways to see Santa Clarita, and the cycling community in our City has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. In addition to road cycling, which many residents are familiar with thanks to global events such as the AMGEN Tour of California and the Tour de France, the sports of mountain biking and BMX have also seen ridership numbers increase.
This fall, as you and your family look for safe, fun and healthy ways to stay active and entertained, I encourage you to see Santa Clarita from the seat of your bicycle. There are ample opportunities for riders of all ages and skill levels, no matter what type of bike you are riding.
It all starts with a leisurely ride through the neighborhood. Take your bikes to a City park for fun and relaxation or explore the paved off-street trails and paseo systems to visit stores and restaurants rather than driving.
If you are interested in cycling for exercise, Santa Clarita’s streets and paved trails deliver plenty of straightaways, climbs and downhills to vary your workout routine. The City’s newest public amenity, the Santa Clarita Bike Park, is also a place where BMX riders and mountain bikers can go to develop their skills.
Located within the Santa Clarita Sports Complex in the hills above the Aquatic Center, the Santa Clarita Bike Park sits on approximately seven acres with dedicated BMX and mountain biking features. These include several trails, ranging in intensity from easy to difficult, as well as a pump track with rollers, tabletops, combination jumps and more.
There is also a beginners track area for the youngest riders and those just starting out, so they can get the hang of rolls and banked turns before working their way up to a more advanced course.
Whether you like to take your cruiser to get your morning coffee or have a top-of-the-line mountain bike, plan time this fall to see Santa Clarita on two wheels. To get more information on all there is to do on your bike in the City, please visit BikeSantaClarita.com.
Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-
clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 
