Minuteman Bikeway
The Minuteman Bikeway runs 10 miles from Alewife Station in Cambridge to Bedford, tracing the route that British soldiers marched in 1775. Ride to Lexington, stop at the Battle Green, grab lunch in Lexington Center, and Red Line home from Alewife.
- Length
- 6.4 mi
- of 10 miles
- Time
- 42 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 2 stops
Starts at Alewife Station, ends at Lexington Center · Directions
Unlock the Minuteman badge
Closed on the way here
Linear Park is closed between Russell Field and the Somerville line
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Minuteman Bikeway· 6.2 mi
Numbered pins are the stops.
Ride it with Shift, free
A map of the route, directions to each stop in your maps app, and automatic check-in when you arrive. Finish to unlock the Minuteman badge.
Stop 1: Alewife Station
Start
The Red Line's last stop and the start of the 10-mile Minuteman Bikeway, which runs through Arlington and Lexington to Bedford.
Bluebikes: Alewife Station at Russell Field, 1 bike there now, 1 min walk.
About this stopNext: Bike to Lexington Center
6.4 mi · 42 min
6.2 mi separated path0.1 mi bike lane0.2 mi on streets
Stop 2: Lexington Center
Finish
The bikeway runs through Lexington Center, a short walk from the Battle Green, where the first shots of the Revolution were fired on April 19, 1775.
About this stop
Getting there
Connects to:Alewife Linear Park· closed
- By transit, bike or on foot
- Red Line to Alewife; the trail starts at the station. Bluebikes dock at Alewife. Bus 62 or 76 from Alewife reaches Lexington and Bedford if you want to ride one way.
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- Alewife Station at Russell Field1 min walk · 1 bike · 19 docks
- Alewife MBTA at Steel Place1 min walk · no bikes right now · 19 docks
- Parking
- Alewife garage (MBTA, paid), Lexington Center lots, or the Depot Park lot in Bedford at the far end.
- Surface
- Paved and nearly flat the whole way, on the old rail bed. Busy on weekend afternoons.
Keep going
The Minuteman Bikeway is one piece of a bigger network. From either end you can keep riding on paths and protected bike lanes. Pick a direction to see it on the map.
This roam Where you can keep going Closed Other bike paths
A group ride on part of this route
Cycle with MIT Club of Boston
Thursday, October 29 · 10 AM
Thorndike Field Park Parking Lot
Hosted by Hayward Zwerling / MIT Club of Boston
How it works
A roam is a self-guided route you follow at your own pace in the free Shift app.
Follow the route
Open this roam in the Shift app and follow it at your own pace.
Check in at each stop
The app checks you in when you arrive. No scanning, no codes. Visit both stops and the roam is complete.
Unlock the Minuteman badge
Finish the roam and the Minuteman badge is yours.