Here are 2024’s Best Places to Bike Based on New City Ratings

The Essence of City Ratings

PeopleForBikes’ annual City Ratings is a comprehensive, data-driven program aimed at identifying and comparing the best cities for biking in the U.S. and around the world. Utilizing the Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA), cities are evaluated and scored from 0 to 100 based on six key factors, encapsulated by the acronym SPRINT: Safe speeds, Protected bike lanes, Reallocated space, Intersection treatments, Network connections, and Trusted data.

A Global Perspective

This year’s evaluation encompassed more than 2,500 cities globally, including 816 new U.S. cities and 133 new cities from the U.K. and Australia. The data reveals exciting developments and improvements, marking a significant year for bicycling infrastructure worldwide.

Here are the results!

Top Small Cities (<50,000 population)

Mackinac Island, Michigan: 99
A car-free paradise, Mackinac Island offers a serene and safe environment perfect for cycling enthusiasts.

Mackinac Island

Provincetown, Massachusetts: 96
Known for its vibrant culture and stunning coastal views, Provincetown continues to impress with its excellent bike infrastructure.

Harbor Springs, Michigan: 92
This charming city by the water has made significant strides in creating bike-friendly streets, enhancing its picturesque appeal.

Springdale, Utah: 89
Nestled near Zion National Park, Springdale provides cyclists with breathtaking routes and safe biking paths.

Washburn, Wisconsin: 89
With its welcoming community and scenic landscapes, Washburn is a fantastic destination for bicyclists.

Fort Yates, North Dakota: 88
A newcomer to the list, Fort Yates has rapidly improved its biking facilities, making it a standout small city.

Crested Butte, Colorado: 87
Famed for its mountain biking trails, Crested Butte offers diverse biking experiences for all levels.

Blue Diamond, Nevada: 85
This small city near Las Vegas provides a stark contrast with its tranquil, bike-friendly roads.

Murdock, Nebraska: 84
Murdock has embraced cycling with open arms, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for riders.

Sewanee, Tennessee: 83
Home to the University of the South, Sewanee blends academic charm with excellent biking infrastructure.

Top Medium Cities (50,000-300,000 population)

Davis, California: 78
A perennial favorite, Davis is renowned for its extensive bike paths and strong cycling culture.

Cambridge, Massachusetts: 72
This academic hub has made significant improvements in bike safety and connectivity, enhancing its urban cycling appeal.

Berkeley, California: 71
Known for its progressive values, Berkeley continues to prioritize and enhance its biking infrastructure.

Boulder, Colorado: 70
Boulder’s commitment to outdoor activities is reflected in its top-tier biking facilities and scenic routes.

Boulder, Colorado

Corvallis, Oregon: 70
This environmentally conscious city has developed a robust network of bike lanes and paths, promoting sustainable transportation.

Ankeny, Iowa: 70
A surprise entry, Ankeny has quickly become a model for medium-sized cities aiming to improve their biking infrastructure.

Ames, Iowa: 66
Home to Iowa State University, Ames combines educational excellence with a strong commitment to biking.

Anchorage, Alaska: 64
Despite its harsh winters, Anchorage’s dedication to multi-use paths has made it a standout for cycling.

Hoboken, New Jersey: 62
Hoboken’s urban landscape is increasingly accommodating to cyclists, making it a notable entry on this list.

Grand Forks, North Dakota: 61
A significant improvement from previous years, Grand Forks has invested heavily in making its streets bike-friendly.

Top Large Cities (>300,000 population)

Minneapolis, Minnesota: 71
Minneapolis remains a leader with its extensive network of bike lanes and community commitment to cycling.

Seattle, Washington: 65
Seattle’s dynamic cityscape is complemented by its continuous enhancements to biking infrastructure.

San Francisco, California: 64
Known for its iconic hills and tech-driven culture, San Francisco is also a top performer in urban biking.

St. Paul, Minnesota: 61
St. Paul joins its twin city in the top ranks, reflecting a regional commitment to biking.

Portland, Oregon: 59
Portland’s reputation as a cycling haven is well-deserved, with an ever-expanding network of bike paths.

Eastbank Esplanade in Portland

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 58
The City of Brotherly Love has made significant strides in promoting safe and accessible biking routes.

New York City, New York: 56
NYC’s bustling streets are increasingly becoming safer and more accessible for cyclists.

Arlington, Virginia: 53
Arlington’s proximity to the nation’s capital doesn’t overshadow its own impressive biking facilities.

Washington, D.C.: 46
The U.S. capital is making continuous improvements to support its growing community of cyclists.

Denver, Colorado: 46
Denver’s outdoor-friendly ethos is evident in its dedication to improving bike infrastructure.

Top International Cities

The Hague, Netherlands: 89
A testament to Dutch cycling culture, The Hague leads with its comprehensive and safe bike networks.

Brussels, Belgium: 87
Brussels is emerging as a cycling hub, with extensive efforts to enhance biking in the city.

Paris, France: 87
The City of Light is shining bright for cyclists with its ambitious plans and improvements.

Paris, France

Lyon, France: 86
Lyon’s blend of history and modernity is complemented by its excellent biking infrastructure.

Utrecht, Netherlands: 86
Another Dutch city excelling in cycling, Utrecht offers an exceptional biking experience.

Leuven, Belgium: 85
Leuven’s commitment to sustainable transportation makes it a top city for cyclists.

Munich, Germany: 85
Munich combines traditional charm with progressive biking policies, making it a top contender.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: 85
Famous for its cycling culture, Amsterdam continues to set the bar for urban biking.

Almere, Netherlands: 85
Almere’s modern design and bike-friendly policies make it an ideal city for cyclists.

Eindhoven, Netherlands: 85
Eindhoven’s innovation extends to its biking infrastructure, offering a model for other cities.

The National Bicycling Renaissance

With seven years of City Ratings data, the PeopleForBikes program highlights the transformative changes in bicycling across U.S. cities since 2018. The 2024 report features 2,300 U.S. cities, marking an addition of 816 new cities over the previous year. This expansion reflects growing interest and investment in bike-friendly infrastructure nationwide.

Among the 816 newcomers, 708 are small cities and 108 are medium cities, joining the previously comprehensive list of large cities. Notably, Minneapolis holds the top spot for large cities for the second consecutive year, showcasing its ongoing commitment to biking safety and connectivity.

The Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, exemplify regional collaboration with St. Paul rising to 4th place from 7th in 2023. Denver’s entry into the top 10 highlights its continuous efforts to improve urban biking. Arlington, Virginia, shifted into the large city category due to population growth and secured a top 10 position, while Milwaukee and Detroit dropped out of the top rankings.

In the medium city category, Cambridge, Massachusetts, impressively climbed from 12th to 2nd place. Anchorage, Alaska, made a remarkable leap from 56th to 8th, driven by enhanced OpenStreetMap data and expanded multi-use paths.

Mass Ave., Cambridge

Small cities saw six newcomers to the top 10, with Mackinac Island, Michigan, achieving the highest score in the country. Other notable entries include Harbor Springs, Michigan; Springdale, Utah; Washburn, Wisconsin; Fort Yates, North Dakota; and Sewanee, Tennessee. Provincetown, Massachusetts, also saw significant improvement, rising from 88 to 96 points.

The Bigger Picture

According to People For Bikes, the average rating among all U.S. cities rose to 25 out of 100, indicating steady progress and also just how much work still needs to be done. States such as Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont, New York, and Wisconsin lead with the highest population-weighted city scores. Additionally, 8 per cent of U.S. cities scored 50 or higher, reflecting the nationwide push towards better biking infrastructure.

Between 2023 and 2024, 80 per cent of U.S. cities improved their City Ratings score, with two per cent increasing by more than 10 points. Since 2020, 18 per cent of cities have seen significant improvements, highlighting the impact of dedicated efforts towards safer and more connected bike networks.

Pedal Forward

These cities showcase the best of what’s possible when urban planning prioritizes bicycling. Whether you live in one of these top cities or aspire to improve biking in your community, there are countless ways to get involved. Supporting initiatives, advocating for better infrastructure, and participating in local cycling events are great ways to make a difference.

Explore the ratings in greater detail at the People For Bikes site here.