Knoxville offers over 210 miles of greenways and trails countywide and has become a mountain biking destination over the past decade. The varied terrain and lush open spaces offer a wide variety of biking opportunities for families and recreational cyclists seeking relatively flat paved greenways, for road cyclists seeking longer routes and strenuous climbs, and for mountain bikers seeking challenging technical trails. Whether you are a local looking to try out a new hobby or a visitor with the desire to fling some dirt, we have compiled a list to help you find a bike rental for your adventure!
Located in the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center at Volunteer Landing in Downtown Knoxville, KAC offers many types of rental bikes to get you rolling! Commuter bikes can be rented for a half day for $20 or a full day for $35 and are perfect for exploring downtown, including Neyland Greenway, which begins in the KAC parking lot and follows the Tennessee River for 3 miles of flat and easy riding. Insider tip: nab your rental, throw some provisions in your basket, coast the Neyland Greenway and end at the beautiful UT Gardens – it’s a recipe for a perfect picnic day!
For mountain bikers, KAC offers trailhead delivery in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness in SoKno and at Sharp’s Ridge in North Knox with advanced notice. Hardtail mountain bikes are available for full-day rentals at $45, with an upgraded option at $75. They also have options for children’s bikes and trailers available, so bring the whole family!
Located at Baker Creek Preserve in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, Bear Paw Bikes allows you to ride out the door and directly to the trails without any need to transport your bike when you pick up your rental! Prices range from $55 - $100 for a half day and $90 - $160 for a full day, depending on the style of bike you rent. Bear Paw includes a gear shop, bicycle repair services and a friendly staff that will help you find the right bike and trail for your adventure.
Knoxville Outdoor Tours offers a fleet of premium mountain bikes available for full-day rentals with trailhead delivery to major trail systems. Bikes range in price from $110-$130 for use all day, including delivery and pick-up. You can also book a guided tour with them and let their expert local guides curate a ride just for you, or book a lesson to really hone your skills!
River Sports Outfitters on Sutherland Avenue offers hardtail mountain bikes for $45 per day and e-bikes at $50 per half day or $100 for a full day. This is a great option for those capable of transporting a bike to a trailhead, or for riding on the nearby Second Creek Greenway which offers connections to several parks, restaurants, breweries, and other greenways. Get to know Sutherland Avenue here – plenty of places to cruise, shop, and grab bites all day!
Take the I-40 Hall of Fame Drive exit for stadium dining and parking.
University of Tennessee Outdoor Program
The UTOP Bike Shop, inside the Outdoor Center at TRECS, is open to all current students and faculty with RecSports memberships. UTOP offers short-term bike rentals at $12 per day or $20 for a weekend. The bike shop has a limited amount of mountain, road, and commuter bikes. To check equipment availability and sizing, give them a call at 865-974-9749. They also offer semester-long rentals, but there is high demand, and they are offered on a first come, first served basis starting the first day of classes. Student or not, get to know UT Campus and Cumberland Avenue by bike!
Legacy Parks Foundation is an East Tennessee nonprofit that works to conserve our natural resources, create public places, and connect communities. Since 2005, Legacy Parks has raised over $21 million for parks and open space, helped conserve 1,000 acres of forest and farmland, and added over 700 acres of parkland in the region.
