Cycling around Nashville can be fun and healthy, but to stay safe and prevent bicycle accidents, it helps to know which neighborhoods are best set up for bikes. Nashville as a whole is improving in this regard, but some areas already offer better access, lanes, and trails. 

Here’s a look at how the city is doing on bike safety, the top bike-friendly neighborhoods in Nashville, and why they work for cyclists.

Nashville at a Glance: Safety and Infrastructure

Walk Bike Nashville reported that 39 walkers and two cyclists were killed by traffic in 2022. Fatal crashes in Music City in 2023 included 36 pedestrian deaths and a single cyclist death. Additionally, a recent study ranked Nashville as the fourth‑worst U.S. city for cyclists out of 50 major cities.

That said, the city is making changes. New investments are flowing: Nashville has set aside $12.5 million in its latest capital plan for traffic safety projects like roundabouts and speed humps—$4 million of that for traffic calming. The city is also reactivating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

Top Bike-Friendly Neighborhoods in Nashville

While citywide safety still needs improvement, some neighborhoods already stand out as better options for riding:

Watkins Park

Watkins Park scores highest in Bike Score rankings with a 73 out of 100, meaning this area is considered very bikeable. It’s close to Vanderbilt University, parks, and local shops, making errands and trips by bike easy and safe.

Germantown

Germantown has a Bike Score of 72. It has some bike infrastructure and plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks nearby that are ideal for getting around by bike.

Downtown Nashville

Downtown has a Bike Score of 67. It includes bike lanes and is packed with restaurants and music venues. You can typically cruise around on two wheels without needing to find parking.

12 South

This neighborhood has made big strides in safety. A project on 12th Avenue South added protected bike lanes with landscaped barriers. These improvements keep riders separated from cars and add curb appeal.

East Nashville

East Nashville is known for its creativity and strong neighborhood feel. It features the Shelby Bottoms Greenway—about four miles of paved trail that weaves through parkland and gives riders a peaceful, car-free route.

The Gulch

The Gulch is a modern, bike‑focused neighborhood with a flat layout, pedestrian‑friendly streets, and bike‑share stations. It makes getting around on two wheels easy and even enjoyable.

Why These Neighborhoods Work

All these areas share features that make biking safer and more appealing, including:

  • Protected bike lanes, like those in 12 South
  • Trails and greenways, such as Shelby Bottoms and connections in the Watkins Park area
  • Access within riding distance to daily needs like shops, restaurants, and parks 
  • Calmer, bike‑aware street design, including landscaped buffers and reduced traffic speed
  • Bike‑share availability, especially in The Gulch

These key features reduce risk, build confidence, and help people feel safer and more likely to ride for errands, school, or fun.

Nashville Is Evolving into a Bike-Friendly City

Cyclist and pedestrian safety remains a serious issue in Nashville, but these neighborhoods prove that safer bike travel is possible here. With better lanes, quieter streets, and easier access, they offer good models for other parts of the city.

While city‑wide efforts like Vision Zero and new safety spending are underway, you don’t have to wait to enjoy riding. Watkins Park, Germantown, Downtown, 12 South, East Nashville, and The Gulch already stand out as places where biking is practical and growing better every day.

Ride safe, stay visible, and help support ongoing improvements. Bike‑friendly neighborhoods are big steps toward a safer, healthier city.