Top 7 Bike-Friendly Cities, Ranked By Cycling Enthusiasts

Cycling is a popular way to exercise and a cost-effective way to commute to work. As the sport continues to grow nationwide, many cities are stepping up their game to support this green mode of transportation. They’re rolling out expansive networks of bike lanes, launching or expanding bike-share programs, and implementing policies that ensure the safety and convenience of cyclists. The best bike-friendly cities, however, are ahead of the game in creating pedaling pathways, making biking as easy as driving when it comes to getting around town.

Ditching the car for a bike may not only save money, but it may also add years to your life. A study found cycling to the office can slash your risk of early death by 13 percent! That’s all well and good, but some cities are easier to get around on two wheels than others. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the seven best bike-friendly cities from the recommendations of cycling enthusiasts across twelve popular websites. Think we overlooked your favorite biking spot? Let us know in the comments below.

The List: Top Cities For Biking Enthusiasts

1. San Francisco, California

All those hills make biking in San Francisco difficult, but it seems people like a challenge because the city by the bay tops our list as the most bike-friendly city in the U.S. The Travel Channel says there’s nothing better than enjoying the incredible views the city has to offer. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a quick bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants along the way.

There is no better way to experience the Golden Gate Bridge than to ride across it on two wheels. The flatter bike paths on the west side of the city to give your legs a break, according to Visit The USA. There are plenty of biking events year-round and parking stalls to house your bike.

More than 120,000 bike trips are taken throughout the city every day. Ecowatch praises the city’s bike infrastructure calling it “robust” and “scenic.” There are plenty of bike share stations across the city as well.

2. Washington, D.C.

The capital of the U.S. may not come to mind as being bike-friendly, but it comes in at number two on our list. Surprisingly, it ranks number one in safety according to Explore!, and is also a number one spot for bike sharing. Visitors may find it easier to get around on two wheels to experience all the monuments and memorials across the city.

The District of Colombia not only has many bike paths, but plenty of places to park your bike, with 1,600 bike racks sprinkled across the area. To experience the city to its fullest “take the Great Washington Bicycle Loop Ride around downtown and the surrounding suburbs,” writes Visit The USA. You can even pedal your way to the White House.

If you want an adventure, Travel Channel says rent a mountain bike and “jump on the beautiful 185-mile-long C&O Canal trail, which follows the mighty Potomac River from D.C. into Cumberland, Maryland.”

3. Portland, Oregon

When you think of Portland, a lot of outdoor activities come to mind, including biking. The bike culture is alive and well – with about 22,000 people using their two wheels to get to and from work. According to Explore!, the city’s first bike plan was “adopted nearly five decades ago.” If you don’t have a bike, there are plenty of places to rent one through the bike share program.

Bikes are everywhere in Portland and the city has many events surrounding its bike trails. Visit The USA says, “some popular rides include a cruise along the Eastbank Esplanade, a 2.5-kilometer corridor along the Willamette River; the Springwater Corridor that ultimately leads south to Mount Hood National Forest; and Forest Park, which highlights northwest Portland’s old-timber growth.”

You won’t get bored biking here, thanks to the 385 miles of greenways, bike lanes, paths, and shared roadways. Ecowatch says “nearly 100 more miles” will be built over the next several years. The city is one of five across the U.S. to receive the “Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community certification by the League of American Bicyclists, its highest designation.”

4. Davis, California

Davis is only 11 miles wide and manages to have over 100 miles of bike lanes. Not sure how that works, but we’re not asking questions. According to The Railyards, over 20 percent of Davis residents bike, while the average nationwide is just two percent. Even UC Davis has a car ban, encouraging students to ride bikes or walk to their destinations.

While Davis comes in at number four on our list, Tower Electric Bikes gives Davis a score of 272.27 for bike friendliness, placing it fifth on its list. Thankfully, no biking-related deaths were reported, making the city a very safe place to ride.

The city was an early adopter of bike lanes. It inaugurated the first one as early as 1967. With great weather and plenty of charm, Insider Monkey says biking here is “a refreshing experience.”

5. Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is considered a “biker’s utopia” by many, including Visit The USA. The city, which boasts 300 days of sunshine a year has more than 300 miles of dedicated bike paths. City planners did a great job laying out the lanes. If you’re looking for a nice path, consider the east-west ride that takes you along Boulder Creek.

If you don’t have a bike in Boulder, no worries. Insider Monkey says the city’s bike-sharing program called “Boulder B-cycle” rents bikes 24/7. Popular biking spots include Flatirons and The Eldorado Canyon State Park.

According to Ecowatch, residents in Colorado are “20 times more likely to bike to work than the average American” to bike to work. The city has many bike-only lanes and underpasses, making it an easy city to get around. If you get caught in a downpour, even the city buses are equipped with bike racks.

6. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cyclists don’t seem to mind the cold weather during a good part of the year in the City of Lakes. Explore! says the “bike culture is alive and well” and there are plenty of off-street bike trails to enjoy. The city also has one of the largest and most accessible bike-share programs in the nation.

The League of American Bicyclists gives the city of Minneapolis its highest honor because it’s so bike-friendly. Visit The USA loves the city’s three-lane bike freeway, the first of its kind in the country. It boasts two one-way lanes for cyclists and another lane for pedestrians. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there are bike paths and trails for you in Minneapolis. According to Redfin, “The city has 16 miles of protected bikeways and 98 miles of bike lanes.” If you enjoy biking near water, consider biking along the Chain of Lakes.

7. Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins may be small in size, but it has 200 miles of bike lanes. While it comes in as #7 on our list, Explore! calls it “one of the top three safest cities for biking in the country.” Almost 8,000 people commute to work there. Cyclists from around the world travel every year to the city for the Tour de Fat, a bike-led community parade sponsored by a local brewery, where costumes are encouraged.

If you like Boulder biking trails, you’ll love the ones in Fort Collins. Insider Monkey says they are “neck in the neck” when it comes to likeability ratings. The most popular trail is the Poudre River Trail. It runs along the Cache La Poudre River and is 12 miles long.

Why is this city so safe for bicyclists? USA Cycling says you can bike for miles and probably never get close to a car thanks to the large network of under and overpasses.

Sources:

• USA Cycling
• Tower Electric Bikes
• Explore!
• Bicycling
• Forbes
• Visit The USA
• Railyards
• The Travel
• Insider Monkey
• Redfin
• EcoWatch
• Travel Channel

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.