With its pancake-flat terrain, trove of historic sites, winding rivers and intriguing neighborhoods dotted with tree-shaded parks, Sacramento has always been a great place to ride a bike.

Almost. While the American River Parkway has long offered a smooth and scenic bike route stretching all the way to the foothills, much of Sacramento’s urban core has been a white-knuckle nightmare for all but the most hardened, street-savvy cyclist.

That’s all starting to change. With increased funding and a new focus on making city biking safer, Sacramento has new “buffered bike lanes” and other route improvements allowing for low-stress cycling on busy urban streets. Improvements have been completed or are in the works all over town, especially on J Street, Capitol Parkway and other high-volume routes around town.

“For a long time, it’s been great riding here if you were comfortable in traffic,” says Jennifer Donlon Wyant, active transportation program specialist for the city of Sacramento. Now, she notes, more state dollars are helping the city “make sure we’ve got bike options that are safe and protected for all riders, so everyone feels comfortable — even in the city center.”

Groups aiming to make riding safer and more available to all in the Sacramento region agree. “Now it’s possible to confidently navigate in parts of the city where you couldn’t do it before,” says Jim Brown, executive director of the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. “It’s enabling people to replace car trips with bike trips, and connecting neighborhoods.”

In addition to bike-lane improvements, Sacramento has a new bike-share program that aims to make it ultra-easy to rent an electric-assist bike and explore the region (see sidebar). That means you can hop on Amtrak from the Bay Area, pick up a bike near Sacramento Station, and enjoy a car-free visit to the Capital City.

To get you rolling, here are three routes, each one exploring a different part of Sacramento. For other fun options, consider joining a guided bike tour to see some of Sacramento’s outstanding murals, some just painted this month. Many group rides with local cycling clubs are open to visitors. Just get ready to work hard — Sacramento cyclists can seriously hammer.

1 Sacramento River Bike Trail (southbound)

Setting: Follow the river around the city’s southern border. Boaters, bathers, occasional birds and other wildlife — there’s always something to see along this river-hugging, out-and-back route. Extend it to an overnight for a lazy weekend down by the riverside.

Where to start: Tower Bridge. This impressive vertical-lift bridge has spanned the Sacramento River for more than 80 years. Originally silver-colored when it was constructed in 1934, the bridge debuted its all-gold color scheme (a nod to the city’s roots in the Gold Rush) in 2002.

If you go MAPS City of Sacramento: Get details on current and future bike projects, and download the free Bikeway User Map. www.sacramentobikes.org Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates: Maps covering Sacramento County and other adjacent communities. www.sacbike.org BIKE TOURS Sacramento Cycling Tours: Take a two-hour guided tour of the city’s huge array of outdoor murals with guide Evon Biondi (self-guided tours using a GPS-activated app are also available). 916-284-5974; $23 per person (under age 12 not recommended); www.evon-biondi.squarespace.com/self-guided-bike-tours-too Sac Tour Co.: Two-hour guided rides focus on outdoor murals and other city highlights. Private tours available by request; $35 per person ($25 per person for groups of 10 or more); www.sactourcompany.com GROUP RIDES Sacramento Bike Hikers: With roughly 550 members, this active club welcomes visitors on its hundreds of rides year-round. (Check the club’s “Ride with Us” page to make sure a ride is right for your skill level.) www.bikehikers.org BIKE SHARES and RENTALS Jump Bikes: Use the Jump app to find, reserve and rent a bike at dozens of locations around town ($1 per first 15 minutes, then $.07 per minute). Riders must be age 18 or over. Trek Bicycle Midtown Sacramento: This centrally located shop offers 24-hour bike rentals, gear, service and tips on local bike routes. Hybrids, $40 per day; full-suspension mountain bikes and road bikes, $100 per day; loaner helmets and locks available. 1411 I St.; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 916-446-2453; www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/sacramento_midtown

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LANDMARKS

Miller Regional Park: On a spit of land just west of the Sacramento Marina, this inviting riverfront park, with plenty of big shade trees and grassy areas, is a hot spot for birthday party picnics and family gatherings. Watch everything from modest rowboats to luxury cabin cruisers come and go from the marina, especially on weekends. 2701 Marina View Drive; 916-808-5200; www.cityofsacramento.org/ParksandRec/Parks/Park-Directory/Land-Park/Miller-Regional-Park

Scott’s Seafood on the River: Park your bikes and settle into a seat on the shaded riverfront patio, order a cool drink and a Dungeness crab cocktail, then watch the world float by. If you have time, chill with a massage or other treatment at the Westin’s Spa LaLé. Make a night of it (rooms $189 and up); rental bikes are available on site. Return the way you came to Tower Bridge. 4800 Riverside Blvd. Restaurant: 916-379-5959; www.scottsseafoodontheriver.com. Spa: 916-379-5980; www.spalale.co. Hotel: 916-443-8400; www.westinsacramento.com

2 Urban cruise

Setting: Pedal past historic heavy hitters and eye-candy homes. This out-and-back route starts at the state Capitol, then heads east to the mansion-filled Fabulous Forties. Though much of this trip keeps to routes with generous bike lanes, there are a couple of busy spots that require sharp eyes and good street sense. If riding with street traffic isn’t your thing (or your companion’s), consider a different ride.

LANDMARKS

State Capitol Building and rose garden: This 1869 snow-white, neoclassical gem looks like a U.S. Capitol döppelganger, right down to its jaunty cupola. In the Capitol Museum, paintings show a different side of former legislators and staff — as artists. Outside, stroll through 40-acre Capitol Park, and catch late-season blooms in the International World Peace Rose Garden. 10th and L streets; Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (free tours hourly 9 a.m.-4 p.m.); 916-324-0333; www.capitolmuseum.ca.gov

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park: Self-guided tours let you learn about life within his walled fort, settled by Swiss immigrant John Sutter in 1839. Learn how he ran an agricultural empire of more than 150,000 Central Valley acres. 2701 L St.; daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 916-445-4422; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=485

Fabulous Forties: No, you’re not pedaling through a posh neighborhood in Pasadena. Sacramento’s numbered streets in the 40s showcase outstanding examples of California bungalows, Colonial Revival and other architectural styles. Former President Ronald Reagan lived at 342 45th St. when he was governor. And the sky-blue 1935 mansion at 1224 44th St. got plenty of screen time in Greta Gerwig’s award-winning film “Lady Bird.”

One Speed: With a blistered-just-right crust and toppings made from ingredients from local farms, the pizzas at this inviting hangout are just about perfect. There are also house-made pastas, salads, and for dessert, ridiculously good Summer Sundaes (fresh peaches, cherry compote, ginger cookie and peach sherbet). You’ll pedal more slowly back to the Capitol, but it’ll be worth it. 4818 Folsom Blvd., 916-706-1748; Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 11:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; www.onespeedpizza.com

3 American River Parkway (eastbound)

Setting: Flat, easy pedal to the foothills. This 32-mile paved classic, also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, starts in Discovery Park, just north of Old Sacramento. Then follow the American River to Folsom Lake. Though slides last winter have temporarily cut the ride just short of the lake, you can still ride as far as Negro Bar Picnic Area within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (Mile 27). For an easy return, catch light rail in Folsom back to Old Sac. (Light-rail details at www.sacrt.com/services/bikeandride.aspx.)

LANDMARKS

Old Sacramento: Admittedly cheesy, “Old Sac” is still entertaining. In this State Historic Park, tour restored Gold Rush buildings, take an underground tour, and stop by the California Railroad Museum to see antique rail cars and train memorabilia. 916-445-7387; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=497

William Pond Recreation Area: Relax at this tree-dotted park on the south side of the river, while local anglers try their luck hooking a bluegill in the park’s man-made fishing pond. 5700 Arden Way, Carmichael; 916-875-6961; www.regionalparks.saccounty.net/Parks/Pages/WilliamB.PondRecreationArea.aspx

Bella Bru Cafe: Get an espresso boost or carbo load with house-baked artisan breads and pastries at this local favorite, a quick detour northwest on Arden Way. 5038 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael; 916-486-2883; www.bellabrucafe.com

Nimbus Fish Hatchery: See chinook salmon and steelhead being reared for release into the American River at this hatchery, just west of Folsom Lake. 2001 Nimbus Road, Suite F, Gold River; visitor center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 916-358-2884; www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/Nimbus