Bicycle Friendly States: Massachusetts Tops the List

Massachusetts is the best state for people on bikes, according to the 2022 Bicycle Friendly States, published last week by the League of American Bicyclists.

The 2022 Bicycle Friendly States report ranks all 50 states on policies and practices intended to improve safety for people on bikes while also taking outcomes into account, according to an April 19 press release announcing the new report.

The release of the rankings comes with report cards for each of the states. The top five and bottom five states, below, link to each state’s respective report card. Starting with the top five:

1. Massachusetts
2. Oregon
3. Washington
4. California
5. Minnesota

And the bottom:

46. South Dakota
47. Oklahoma
48. Mississippi
49. Nebraska
50. Wyoming

“The Bicycle Friendly States report and ranking highlights the considerable role state leadership plays in making our nation’s roadways safer for people who bike,” according to the article. “Overall, states own 19 percent of the nation’s roadways yet 38 percent of bicyclist fatalities are on state-owned roads.”

The League has identified five policies and practices in particular that states have within their power to make a direct impact on safety for people on bikes: 1) a safe passing law, 2) a complete streets action, 3) an emphasis on safety, 4) a recent statewide bike plan, 5) a minimum level of federal funds spent on biking and walking.

The League of American Bicyclists last published their Bicycle Friendly States report in 2019.