Best Bike and Scooter Routes in Knoxville That Actually Feel Safe

The greenways, paved trails, and urban paths where two wheels make more sense than four.

Knoxville has a reputation as a car city — and to be fair, most of it was built that way. But underneath the surface of that reputation is something that surprises a lot of newcomers: a genuinely impressive network of greenways, paved trails, and protected paths that make cycling and scootering not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable. The kind where you're not white-knuckling it next to traffic, glancing over your shoulder, or wondering if the car behind you actually sees you.

There are currently over 125 miles of paved greenway and natural trails for the citizens of Knoxville — enough to build a serious riding habit without ever repeating a route for weeks. Whether you're looking for a car-free family ride, a practical commute, a long riverside cruise, or a weekend adventure into the woods, there's a route here that fits.

Here's where to go — and what to know before you roll.

🛣️ First, Understand the Greenway System

Knoxville boasts more than 162 acres of greenways and soft surface trails, over 94 miles of natural trails, with about 67 miles of paved ADA-accessible greenways. These greenways often follow natural land or water features, linking nature preserves, parks, cultural features, and historic sites with each other and with populated areas — meaning most of them are genuinely separated from vehicle traffic, not just a painted stripe on a busy road.

That distinction matters enormously for anyone who has ever felt unsafe on a bike in an urban environment. The routes highlighted below are prioritized specifically for that separated, low-stress riding experience — the kind that works for beginners, families, e-bike riders, and scooter users alike.

🌊 Route 1: Neyland Greenway — The River Ride

Distance: ~7.7 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: All ages, scooters, e-bikes, road bikes

This is the flagship greenway in Knoxville and the one most worth knowing first. The Neyland Greenway begins near the UT campus and follows the Tennessee River — a wide, mostly flat paved path that hugs the riverbank with the kind of views that make you forget you're in a city. The trail follows the shoreline, offering scenic views of the Tennessee River and the distant Great Smoky Mountains on clear days.

At 7.7 miles, it's the longest paved biking trail in the city — long enough for a meaningful workout but easy enough for a casual cruise. The surface is well-maintained, the path is wide, and it's almost entirely free of road crossings. At the western end, if you continue past the Henley Street Bridge, you can reach Governor Ned McWherter Riverside Park where there is a boat ramp, small dock, playground, and a small parking area.

This is also the best scooter route in the city. The flat surface, car-free environment, and river scenery make it ideal for electric scooter and e-bike riders who want distance without stress.

Pro tip: Start near the UT campus and ride westward for the most scenic stretch with uninterrupted river views.

🌿 Route 2: Third Creek Greenway — The Family Ride

Distance: ~4–5 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Families, beginners, casual cyclists

The Third Creek Greenway takes you from the University of Tennessee Recreation Sports Complex parking area along a well-maintained paved trail, passing Third Creek Greenway Park, Safety City Park, and Tyson McGhee Park until you reach the Tennessee River. It's a genuinely pleasant, low-stress ride that combines the sound of water flowing alongside the trail with views of the creek and enough park stops to make it feel like an outing rather than just exercise.

Its combination of scenic views, riverside trails, cityside routes, and parkside paths make it a versatile destination for riders of all preferences. The trail stays largely off-road and runs through some of the greener, quieter parts of the city's west side — making it a refreshing escape even if you're only a few blocks from a busy road.

Best for first-time riders who want to test their comfort level before committing to longer routes. The relatively short distance and multiple park stops give you easy bail-out points.

🌳 Route 3: Ten Mile Creek Greenway — The Shaded Escape

Distance: ~3–4 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Beginners, e-bikes, disability scooters

If you're looking for a trail that's quiet, shaded, and genuinely relaxing, Ten Mile Creek Greenway is the one. The trail runs parallel to Ten Mile Creek through the West Knoxville corridor, and locals consistently describe it as nicely maintained, very shady, straight, and with little to no grade — making it particularly well-suited for e-bikes, disability scooters, and anyone who wants smooth, predictable riding.

The greenway features tunnels under I-40, Walker Springs Road, and Gallaher View Road and has only one road crossing along its length — a design that keeps the experience remarkably free of traffic anxiety. It passes Walker Springs Park, which offers a 0.3-mile connector trail from the greenway into the park itself.

Pro tip: Park at Walker Springs Park for easy access. This is also one of the trails that consistently gets positive reviews from riders using electric mobility devices.

🏡 Route 4: Sequoyah Hills Trail — The Neighborhood Cruise

Distance: ~2–3 miles | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Best for: Leisure riding, scenic commutes, road bikes

The Sequoyah Hills Trail is a different kind of ride — less about greenway infrastructure and more about one of Knoxville's most beautiful residential stretches. The route starts from Cherokee Boulevard and meanders through a charming neighborhood with picturesque views of houses, yards, and the river. The trail is primarily flat with a few slight inclines and runs along a tree-lined path.

This is the ride for when you want scenery over distance — the quiet, unhurried quality of Sequoyah Hills translates beautifully on a bike. Mature trees form a canopy overhead. The homes along Cherokee Boulevard are some of the most architecturally interesting in the city. And the river is never far from view.

Note: With some moderate climbing on certain stretches, this one is manageable on a standard bike but worth being aware of if you're on a non-electric scooter.

⛰️ Route 5: Urban Wilderness — For the Adventurous

Distance: 6–41 miles depending on route | Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging | Best for: Mountain bikers, e-bikers, experienced trail riders

This one is for riders who want something more than a paved path. Knoxville's Urban Wilderness is a spectacular outdoor adventure area located just a couple of miles from downtown Knoxville. The main trail system spans 41 miles of singletrack through zones including Marie Meyers Park, Hastie Natural Area, Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, Fort Dickerson Park, and Baker Creek Preserve.

Ijams Nature Center serves as the primary hub — a 300-acre preserve featuring over 40 miles of trails to hike, run, and mountain bike, a large quarry to fish and paddle in, and a rock climbing crag. From the tranquil river-side paths close to the center to the rugged Quarry and Natural Area Trail System, the Urban Wilderness provides an exceptional outdoor experience for riders of all skill levels.

The good news for e-bikers: Knoxville supports e-bike riding, with 151 trails allowing e-bikes across the network. The largest trailhead parking area is at Mead's Quarry, where you'll find a kiosk with a map of all connected trail systems and routes.

Pro tip: Bear Paw Bikes is located right at Baker Creek Preserve in the Urban Wilderness — you can rent and ride directly from the trailhead without transporting a bike. Prices range from $55–$100 for a half day and $90–$160 for a full day.

🛴 Scooters in Downtown Knoxville: What You Need to Know

Electric scooters are a legitimate and useful way to get around downtown Knoxville, and the city has invested in making the system work better. LINK and Bird are the two authorized electric scooter vendors operating downtown and on the UT campus, with each vendor allowed to stage up to 300 scooters and at least 50 e-bikes.

The city has also installed dedicated parking corrals — converting some downtown on-street parking spaces into designated scooter corrals to reduce clutter and reinforce proper use. Scooter riding is prohibited on sidewalks — riders must stay in the street.

What works best for scooters:

• Neyland Greenway — By far the most enjoyable scooter route in the city. Flat, car-free, scenic, and long enough to feel like a real trip.
• Gay Street and Market Square corridor — Practical for short trips between downtown destinations. Stay in the street, not on the sidewalk.
• South Waterfront / Volunteer Landing area — The paved riverfront path is ideal for scooter cruising on evenings and weekends.

Safety note: New scooter permits come with safety and accountability requirements. Riders who observe unsafe behavior can report it through the My Knoxville app.

🚲 Where to Rent a Bike in Knoxville

Commuter bikes from KAC can be rented for a half day for $20 or a full day for $35 — perfect for exploring downtown or riding the Neyland Greenway. Kids' bikes and trailers are also available, ideal for a family outing.

✅ Quick Safety Tips Before You Ride

• Greenways = your safest bet. Any route using the paved greenway system is largely or fully separated from vehicle traffic. When in doubt, stick to the greenway network.
• Scooters belong on the street, not the sidewalk. The city enforces this and it keeps pedestrians safe.
• Helmet up. Especially on the Urban Wilderness trails, where the terrain can surprise you. Even low-speed falls on pavement cause real injuries.
• Download the My Knoxville app. Use it to report scooter safety issues and stay informed on trail conditions.
• Check e-bike trail access. Most of Knoxville's 151 e-bike-accessible trails are open, but trail-specific rules vary — check Trailforks before heading to the Urban Wilderness.

🚧 What's Coming Next: The Rail-to-Trail Greenway

Worth knowing about for anyone who rides in South Knoxville: a three-mile rail-to-trail greenway is currently in development along the G&O Railway corridor from Chapman Highway to Mead's Quarry and the South Loop Trails of the Urban Wilderness, complete with a 1.5-mile Art Walk. When finished, this will create a continuous off-street cycling and walking corridor that connects the South Waterfront, Sevier Avenue, and the Urban Wilderness trail system in a way that doesn't currently exist. It will be one of the most significant additions to Knoxville's active transportation network in years.

The Bottom Line

Knoxville's reputation as a car city is outdated. With over 125 miles of greenways and trails, two active scooter vendors, multiple bike rental options, and a rail-to-trail greenway on the way, the city has more safe, enjoyable two-wheeled options than most residents realize.

Start with the Neyland Greenway. Explore from there. Your car can stay parked.

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