Most of us spend too much time stuck in traffic. That’s a fact. Luckily, there’s one way to avoid that. Simple as it may seem, cycling is both useful and environmentally friendly!
Not to mention that it can also give you a sense of freedom, feeling the wind hit your face and pedaling with the energy provided by your own two feet. There was a biking boom created by the pandemic when lots of people started biking or rekindled their former hobby.
According to some recent data, as of spring 2020, bike sales had spiked up by 75%, amounting to 1 billion in sales. If you also own a bike and you like cycling, then living in a bike-friendly city must be important to you. Though this physical activity has become popular again, that doesn’t mean that all US cities are built for bicyclists.
Some of them are lacking the safety and infrastructure, while others are about to become some of the most bike-friendly cities in America. To determine which ones promote cycling among their residents, we looked at two major metrics.
We looked at Bike Scores, which is basically a measure that shows connections within the city, access to bike lanes, and more. In addition to this, we examined bicyclist safety by looking at the number of bicycle deaths stated in the most recent Traffic Safety Facts Report (NHTSA), which included data from 2019.
Long story short, to create a bike-ability score, we gave the NHTSA safety score a proportion of 15% and the bike score a proportion of 85%. Then we used the following equation:
bike ability = bike score – safety score
Finally, we ranked the top 10 best bike-friendly cities in America. Read on to find them out!
10. New York
- Bike score: 70
- Cyclist fatalities: 24
- Bike-ability score: 55.9
If you live in NY and you love cycling, then you’re on the lucky side. Though placed in the 10th spot, New York is a quite bike-friendly city. Despite the fact that The Big Apple is known for its all-night subway system (ranking first in the US for public transit), this city is also one of the greatest cities in the US to cycle.
New Yorkers can also use the city’s Citi Bike program, the nation’s largest bike-sharing system. On top of that, there are many bike paths and greenways, so cycling in New York can turn into a truly pleasant activity. A bike map of NYC can be found here.
9. Sacramento, CA
- Bike score: 68
- Cyclist fatalities: 2
- Bike-ability score: 57.5
Sacramento, CA ranks 9th among the most bike-friendly cities in America. Over the last few years, this place has made quite some efforts to adjust its infrastructure for those who love to bike.
Sacramento boasts Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (commonly known as the American River Bike Trail), a paved 32-mile trail that was rated the No.1 bike path by Trails.com in 2006. This city is also home to many other bike paths and trails with amazing views, making it an ideal spot for cyclists.
According to some recent data, there are several bike-friendly neighborhoods in Sacramento, but Midtown clearly stands out. Have you ever gone out on a bike ride there? Let us know in the comment section!
8. Washington D.C.
- Bike score: 69
- Cyclist fatalities: 1
- Bike-ability score: 58.5
The nation’s capital isn’t just a popular spot for politics but also for biking. According to a recent report, Washington D.C. is home to 6,100 Capital Bikeshare bikes and has 150 miles of bike trails and lanes. It’s one of the US cities with the best public transportation and was also ranked 4th on a top walkable cities list.
Here in our list, Washington D.C. comes in the 8th spot among the most bike-friendly cities in the US. Whether you want to pedal through town, mountain bike, or join the annual biking event, this city has you covered with an impressive variety of cycling options.
And there are forest and park bike trails to follow too. So it’s safe to say that Washington D.C. provides a level of diversity for cyclists that is hard to beat anywhere else in America.
7. Seattle, WA
- Bike score: 70
- Cyclist fatalities: 2
- Bike-ability score: 59.2
Seattle may have got the crown for most rainy days, but that doesn’t stop its residents from cycling. In fact, it would be a shame not to since Emerald City is one of the most bike-friendly cities in America providing various options for cyclists. Though the number of people riding bikes decreases throughout the winter months, some of them are still doing this despite the cold weather.
If you want to go on a ride bike in Seattle, you have plenty of options to choose from, including multi-use trails and protected bike lanes. Plus, the city offers a great bike-sharing program making the whole area even more accessible by bike.
But one of our favorite things about Seattle is its desire to keep improving. After seven years of research, in 2016, Seattle come up with a massive pedestrian and bike safety assessment to keep the number of accidents in a low zone.
6. Boston, MA
- Bike score: 70
- Cyclist fatalities: 1
- Bike-ability score: 59.35
If you’re in or on your way to Boston and enjoy biking, you’re in luck: according to the data we’ve been examining, this is one of the greatest places in the US to cycle ranking in the 6th spot of most bike-friendly cities in the country. As stated on its official government page, “The Boston Transportation Department works to make bicycling safe, fun, and convenient”.
As a result, the city has an ambitious goal to increase bicycling fourfold by 2030. It was also one of the first cities in the country to implement a bike-sharing system in 2011.
5. San Francisco, CA
- Bike score: 72
- Cyclist fatalities: 1
- Bike-ability score: 61.05
You may think San Francisco is not among the most bike-friendly cities with its hill streets and cable cars, but it boasts some spectacular views of the city and the bay. This place is definitely a walker’s paradise, ranking first among the greatest walkable cities in America.
Aside from walking, San Francisco is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, coming in the 5th spot on our list. According to recent data, as of 2019, it counted more than 10.8 million bikes and built 670 bike racks. And, of course, this city also has a bike-sharing program for tourists and residents alike to take advantage of.
4. Chicago, IL
- Bike score: 73
- Cyclist fatalities: 5
- Bike-ability score: 61.3
Chicago offers a one-of-a-kind cycling experience. You can easily navigate within the busy city to your destination. Its cycle lanes are numerous and its architecture is breathtaking.
Also known as the Windy City, Chicago ranks 4th among the most bike-friendly cities in America. According to Chicago.gov, the city boasts major perks for cyclists including 13,000 bike racks, more than 200 miles of bike lanes, and a lovely 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail. Plus, it provides the Divvy bike-share program making it easier than ever to ride a bike, even if you don’t own one.
3. Denver, CO
- Bike score: 73
- Cyclist fatalities: 3
- Bike-ability score: 61.6
When it comes to the best bike-friendly cities in America, Denver takes the 3rd spot. The Mile High City is working to create a convenient, reliable, and safe bike city that folks can take advantage of as a healthier, affordable alternative to driving.
The city is implementing neighborhood bikeways and protected bike lanes, putting safety as a top priority. Despite its proximity to some of the best skiing in the country, Denver is located on a plateau and is one of the flattest cities in the US. But with those nearby mountains, the city still attracts lots of outdoor enthusiasts, making its residents among the fittest in America.
When you combine that level of fitness with that flatness, you’re going to have plenty of folks choosing bikes as their main mode of transportation — and a city designed for biking.
2. Portland, OR
- Bike score: 82
- Cyclist fatalities: 2
- Bike-ability score: 69.4
Portland is nearly a bike oasis, ranking second among the most bike-friendly cities in the US. According to Portland Bureau of Transportation data, Rose City had the highest percentage of bike commuters in 2017, coming in at 6.3%. The city provides 385 miles of bikeways, with even more being under construction.
Plus, Portland has some unique bike-friendly features, such as 42 bike boxes created to protect cyclists from drivers as well as bike-specific traffic signs at 31 different intersections. This city also provides its bike-share program sponsored by Nike and headquartered in the metro area.
Are you ready to find out which is the most bike-friendly city in America?
1. Minneapolis, MN
- Bike score: 84
- Cyclist fatalities: 11 (in the state of MN)
- Bike-ability score: 69.75
Ranking first among the best bike-friendly cities in the US, Minneapolis is truly a great place for cycling. According to the city’s website, Minneapolis boasts 98 miles of bike lanes as well as 16 miles of protected bikeways and 101 extra bike trails and paths.
The city also comes in the top spot for bike commuters providing its own bike-share program that features more than 3,000 bikes and 400 stations to make it easy to go out on a bike ride.
You may also want to read 10 of America’s Best-Preserved Abandoned Towns You Can Actually Visit.
