The Best New Bikeways in the U.S. Show Pathway to Success for All

In 2024, American cities large and small continued to embrace a future built around people, not just cars—especially when it comes to how we move. Fueled by a (now-endangered) surge of federal, state, and local funding—including billions unlocked by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—hundreds of new bike projects broke ground or were completed across the country, giving riders safer, more connected, and more joyful places to pedal.

It would be great if this trend were to continue, but the reality is that bike advocates have got their work cut out for themselves with a staunchly anti-bike administration at the federal level.

From leafy greenways in Indiana to protected lanes in big cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh, here are some of the best new bikeways according to People For Bikes that made a real impact last year.

Best New Bikeways

Pittsburgh, PA – Penn Circle Conversion

Once a one-way, high-speed arterial, Penn Circle has been completely transformed into a two-way street with protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly design. This ambitious project reversed 1960s-era planning that prioritized car speed over community and urban cohesion. With input from local residents, city planners, and advocacy groups like BikePGH, the redesign eliminated dangerous slip lanes and restored walkable, bike-friendly connections through the East Liberty neighborhood. The new corridor now links several existing bike routes, creating a more integrated network in Pittsburgh’s urban core.

Chicago, IL – Clark Street Protected Bike Lane

Chicago doubled down on protected bike infrastructure in 2024, and nowhere is that more visible than on Clark Street. Acting as the southbound twin to Dearborn Street’s iconic northbound bikeway, this central corridor has quickly become one of the city’s most-used bike routes. The project emerged from years of community engagement and data-driven planning by the Chicago Department of Transportation. Clark Street’s success reflects a broader commitment to equity-focused transportation: this year alone, Chicago added 47 miles of bike facilities, including 31 miles of low-stress, protected lanes and greenways, many in underserved neighborhoods.

Clark Avenue protected bike lane (city of Chicago)

San Diego, CA – The Pershing Bikeway

Winding through Balboa Park and connecting the North Park neighborhood to downtown, the 2.3-mile Pershing Bikeway is a marquee example of how cities can design for safety and comfort. Developed by SANDAG as part of its Regional Bike Plan, the Pershing Bikeway includes one-way and two-way protected lanes, a separate bike path, and dramatically improved intersections. A newly constructed 75-foot bridge, a traffic-calming roundabout, and pedestrian crossing upgrades—including 70 new street lights—underscore the emphasis on accessibility and visibility. The project’s years-long journey from planning to construction involved extensive public input and overcame initial opposition from motorists concerned about traffic flow.

Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Greenway

Detroit’s comeback is riding on two wheels. The Joe Louis Greenway—a planned 28-mile loop through 23 neighborhoods and three nearby cities—is one of the most transformative projects in the Midwest. In 2024, the city opened a one-mile segment that includes trailheads, public art installations, and green infrastructure. More than just a bike trail, the Greenway is seen as a vehicle for economic development, public health, and community pride. The effort has been supported by local nonprofits, foundations, and federal grants, with a focus on ensuring the benefits reach historically marginalized communities along the route.

Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit

Calistoga–St. Helena, CA – Napa Valley Vine Trail

Wine country got even more beautiful—for cyclists, at least. A new 9-mile segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail now links Calistoga and St. Helena via a scenic, vineyard-flanked route. The Vine Trail Coalition, a nonprofit led by a dedicated group of local volunteers and stakeholders, spearheaded the project in collaboration with county officials. The vision? A 47-mile continuous trail from Vallejo to Calistoga. With 29 miles now complete, the Vine Trail is a shining example of how a region best known for luxury tourism can embrace sustainability and offer a car-free way to explore its charms.

Bloomington, IN – Neighborhood Greenways

Bloomington is proving that even small cities can lead on bike infrastructure. In 2024, the city expanded its network of “neighborhood greenways”—calm, low-speed streets redesigned for biking and walking—by converting at least three more streets. The city worked closely with local residents, holding public workshops and “walk-bike audits” to gather feedback. With support from PeopleForBikes and a commitment to Vision Zero principles, Bloomington is embedding bike infrastructure into its everyday street fabric—not as an afterthought, but as a priority for livability and safety.

Honolulu, HI – Leeward Bikeway

Oʻahu riders celebrated major progress on the Leeward Bikeway, a long-planned project that repurposes a disused rail corridor. The 2024 expansion now connects ʻEwa to Waipahu, helping link the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail to a future 24-mile, car-free route that will stretch from Diamond Head to the west coast. Funded by a mix of federal grants and state capital improvement funds, the Leeward Bikeway has required extensive coordination across agencies, along with complex engineering solutions for stream crossings and bridge retrofits. When completed, it will rival the island’s best beaches in scenic appeal—and offer a viable commuter alternative.

Leeward Bikeway, O’ahu Hawaii (photo: Hawai’i Bicycling League)

Moosup, CT – Moosup Valley State Park Trail

This quiet, six-mile stretch of trail between Moosup and the Rhode Island border is a nature lover’s dream, hugging the Moosup River and threading through wetlands and woodlands. More than just a pretty path, it’s a critical link in the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile active transportation corridor connecting 15 states from Maine to Florida. Local advocates worked for years to secure funding and clear land-use hurdles, and in 2024, those efforts paid off. With the opening of this segment, the Greenway gets one step closer to realizing a continuous, protected path up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

These projects showcase the best of what bike infrastructure can be—visionary, inclusive, and transformative. They didn’t happen overnight. Each one reflects years of organizing, planning, funding, and often, fighting for a better way to move through our communities.

Want your city to top the rankings next year?

According to PeopleForBikes, the most bicycle-friendly cities tend to do four things especially well:

1. Secure dedicated funding for bike infrastructure.

2. Pass and implement Complete Streets policies that prioritize people over cars.

3. Commit to lower, safer speed limits citywide.

4. Link their bike and transportation plans to climate goals.

These may sound simple, but together they create the conditions that make biking viable, safe, and joyful for everyone—not just the brave and the bold. Cities like Minneapolis, Boulder County, and Portland are proving it.