South of Buffalo

[Scotty0424]

Anybody out there familiar with the southern part of Buffalo and its suburbs - specifically Hamburg, Orchard Park and Lackawanna? I want to get from Route 5 on Lake Erie to the Peace Bridge. AC has a well-mapped route that goes quite a bit east to avoid Lackawanna traffic, but I'm wondering if there's a safe way through Lackawanna and into the waterfront area. Thanks.

[John Nettles]

I am not local nor familiar with the area.  For what it is worth, the Strava heat map shows cyclist use US-62/South Park Ave. north out of Hamburg all the way to Buffalo.  Once in Buffalo, continue on South Park Ave. as US-62 turns right then you can look at Google Maps bicycle mode to see where the bike paths are to the Peace Bridge. 

The speed limit on US-62 seems to be 45mph or less and has a shoulder south of Lackawanna where then a bike lane seems to appear. 

Tailwinds, John

[Scotty0424]

Thanks, John. Rt. 62 looks decent north of Hamburg. Getting to that point is the next puzzle.

[jcostanz]

I have biked the area multiple times, only once did I take the rt 62/south park blvd route.  all others I stayed on/near route 5.  Headed North/east on the Norther Tier, there is a side walk on the right side of route 5 under the railroad tracks.  Also Google maps does not reflect the recent (several years old) paths added from dona street North.  The traffic around 62/179 intersection concerned me more than the traffic on rt 5

If you stay on rt 5, Turn Left onto Hover Rd at Big Tree Rd (traffic Light at intersection) and keep left/turn left with hover rd, before the light at rt 5 again. at end of road pickup the paved trail along rt 5.  take this path around the circle and use the pedestrian over pass to the right side and either use the side walk or the road/shoulder (shoulder does disappear at times).  After the train overpass, the 2nd light is Dona St, tim hortons on right, Turn left and pickup the paved path along route 5 (doesn't show on google maps or satellite but does show on street view).  This path will take you to the path along Fuhrmann blvd.  You must either take the Ohio Street (separated bike lane on bridge) or the Queen City Bike Ferry to Canal Side.

If you use the Ohio Street bridge, stay on ohio street until it intersects/ends at S Michigan Ave, go straight between the fence and the water by the tug/fire boat, this will put you at canal side right where the bike ferry lets off.

If you take the bike ferry, stay with fuhrman blvd to just before the Coast Guard Gate and turn right to the ferry.

Now cross over the pedestrian bridge and stay with the wide path that ends at Erie St.  turn right with Erie St to just before an overpass and turn left to path on the left.  Keeping with the path it will rejoin the river soon.  After it turns away from the river again turn left with the path just after rotary row.  It will take you to a new pedestrian overpass and under the Peace Bridge.  You will want to keep right and make a right U turn onto busti ave.  make a left just before going under the bridge again staying with Busti ave then make a right turn with the sidewalk going under the bridge, this takes you to the pedestrian entrance to the peace bridge.

[Scotty0424]

JCostanz,

A million thanks. This looks like a winner. Just the sort of route I was looking for without going halfway to Rochester. I especially like the bike ferry, which puts you right on the bike path to the bridge. Safe travels!

Scotty