Marietta, Ohio is a top city for outdoor recreation and home to a number of incredible outdoor assets, including a robust trail network that connects to Marietta’s historic downtown commercial district.

Bike Marietta encourages bike riders to enjoy the many bike trails of Marietta, Ohio while also shopping, dining, and enjoying local in the heart of our beautiful city: downtown.

Downtown Marietta is home to over 35 retailers and 24 eateries, plus galleries, music venues, theaters and more. Public art is on display through murals and sculptures, river views can be enjoyed around most every corner, and the charming, historic buildings line brick streets to paint the most lovely picture of a vibrant, small town in rural America.

On this page, you’ll find a number of resources. Click any of the below links to jump to their location on the page.

Local businesses are encouraged to offer a welcoming atmosphere for bicycling employees, customers, tourists and more. The below businesses have agreed to fill water bottles without obligation to the bike rider as well as provide restroom access.

Rights & Responsibilities of Bike Riders

Do bike riders have to obey traffic laws? Yes, bike riders have to obey traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and stop signs. According to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.01(e), “The provisions of this Traffic Code shall apply to bicycles and electric bicycles except those which by their nature are not applicable.”

Does a bike rider always have to ride to the right? Yes, bike riders need to always ride near to the right side of the roadway unless it is unreasonable or unsafe to do. According to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.07(a), “Every person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.”

Further, according to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.07(b), the bike rider is not required to operate a bicycle or electric bicycle at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include:

• Avoiding fixed or moving objects

• Avoiding parked or moving vehicles

• Surface hazards

• If the lane is too narrow for the bicycle or electric bicycle

• If it is otherwise unsafe or impracticable to do so

Can a bike rider transport more than one person? A bicycle intended for more than one person need to assure permanent, attached seating to carry another person upon the bicycle. According to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.02(g) “No bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorcycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.”

Can a bike rider transport goods with a bicycle? According to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.02(f), “No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.” Goods may be transported using a bicycle or electric bicycle, but both hands need to be upon the handlebars while doing so. Bike baskets are helpful tools for transporting goods.

Is it legal for bike riders to ride side by side/abreast? According to the Codified Ordinances of Marietta 373.04(a), “Persons riding bicycles, electric bicycles, or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles, or motorcycles.

The Marietta/Parkersburg area is a mountain bike paradise with 5 trail networks boasting 200 miles of sweet singletrack all within a 45-minute radius.

• Wayne National Forest is the area’s most rugged and largest concentration of trails. The Wayne is home to 80 miles of trail on 64,000 acres with challenging options for single and multi-day rides!

• Marietta City Trail Network Marietta is the Mountain Bike Capital of Ohio! The Marietta Trail Network connects 30+ miles of trail seamlessly with the historic downtown.

• North Bend State Park is adjacent to the 72 mile North Bend Rail Trail, North Bend State Park is home to challenging singletrack surrounding the park’s lake, campgrounds, and lodge!

• Mountwood Park is consistently rated as one of the top trail systems in West Virginia! With 35 miles of flowing trail surrounding the lake in this 2,000-acre park, it’s easy to love! Group rides Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

• Broughton Wildlife Area is a 570-acre wildlife area that is part of the Marietta Trail Network and provides a key connection to the community of Devola.

• Gunlock Bike Park is a 20-acre city park located directly behind Lowe’s on SR 7 in Marietta. The park is home to Ohio’s first fully paved pump track, 2 miles of beginner/family-friendly mountain bike trails, and an extensive series of dirt jumps ranging in difficulty from intermediate to advanced.

In and around downtown Marietta, a number of local organizations are committed to caring for our outdoor assets and celebrating outdoor recreation of all kinds. Learn more about a variety of our local groups dedicated to outdoor recreation below:

Others include the Devola Multi-Use Trail Committee, Belpre Multi-Use Trail Committee, Friends of the Marietta River Trail, Friends of Lower Muskingum River, and others.