The way points of this bicycle route:
You can park here for free.
When crossing the Peace Bridge into Canada (as of 10/07), you must cross on the south sidewalk. You can get to it by moving to the Duty Free shop, then using the crosswalk. Bikes must be walked on the cross-walk. At the Canadian side, there is a path under the bridge which takes you to the customs office on the North side of the plaza, where there is an intercom for pedestrians and cyclists. After that, you may be able to pass through the gate near the intercom, or you may have to move up the sidewalk and backtrack on the sidewalk for the on ramp.
Although this stretch weaves on and off a dedicated bike path and onto the road, it has a moderate speed limit and low traffic.
Close to this point is a pedestrian bridge which allows you into a pleasant park. Otherwise you can stick to the automobile bridge.
The Canadian side offers better views of the Falls, but you will need to walk your bike if on the sidewalk. Bring a rain slicker!
As soon as you see the bridge start looking for a road uphill. There will be a small "urban" park, in which bicycles are prohibited, and you must go uphill of it to get to the bridge. The customs officers get cranky if you walk your bike along the pedestrian sidewalk, but I have done it twice now and when they "yell" at me I just nod and remain mute. The pedestrian walkway requires 50 cents and you can go through the wheelchair gate.
You can (slowly) bicycle along the walkways on poorer weather days. In nice weather, you will have to walk your bike or cycle on paths further from the falls and river. Just take your most convenient right to get to the river. The closest one to the bridge is a cobbled drive, the next a paved one.
You will come to a bridge just for pedestrians, if you want to visit Goat Island. From the island, you can stand at the brink of the American Falls. It has been a gentle place for cyclists, for most people want to go on tours such as the Maid of the Mist, or to walk to the brink of the falls and forgo the rest of the island.
About here you want to start looking for a way to ride closer to the river. Although the path is not the greatest, the road turns into a freeway and the path vastly improves.
This paved trail passes the water intakes for the hydroelectric plant and the rescue boats (people occasionally stray into the most dangerous portion of the river above the falls).
The Riverview will pass under the North Grand Island Bridge, then away from the river. At this point you need to go West along the sidewalk, under another bridge and cross one expressway off ramp. There is a crosswalk. You will go up the bridge on the eastern side. Though it is noisy and you need to watch your speed going down, due to expansion joints, this is a very safe route- you are separated from the traffic by a high curb and a safety railing.
Lovely wetlands, the trails into the park are better suited to a mountain bike. Very shady in bits this is a good place for a rest.
Here is where the bike trail ends and you enter the roadway. Wide shoulders, moderate speed limits and moderate traffic make it quite safe. This is an official bike route.
There are a few mini-marts and a grocery store in this area.
Here you must cross and get on the bike trail again on the northeastern side of the streets.
Follow the trail under the bridge to find the path to the bridge sidewalk. This bridge is also quite safe, but you pass quite close to the girders- a tiny squeeze. Again watch your speed going down as you go over the expansion joints.
The path crosses one major road, at which there is a light if you wish to travel to it. Go under the bridge to travel towards Buffalo.
Most of the way back to Buffalo is on a separate bike path- two bike lanes and a pedestrian lane.
I believe it is now complete. Last time I went this way I needed to follow Niagara Street for a while, because the railroad bridge was closed and I didn't have time to check the new route. If any of it is closed, you will have to follow Niagara Street for a fair ways before the walkway is accessible again. The sidewalk is extremely wide and carries little pedestrian traffic. They should probably just mark it with lane marks. There are signs were the Riverwalk again moves away from Niagara Street, as you pass under the Peace Bridge to get to Lasalle Park. Otherwise you will need to ride in the street when you get to Busti Avenue and this will return you to Front Park.
So many lovely restaurants. Ride to eat. Favorite? hmmm. Left Bank on Rhode Island Street near Chenengo. I measured this trek at 42 miles.
