Bicycle Friendly States: Massachusetts Tops the List

For the first time since the League of American Bicyclists started ranking states for bicycle friendly practices and policies in 2008, Washington State does not appear at the top of the list.

2 minute read

April 26, 2022, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A person on a bike waits at an intersection by leaning against the curb.

2p2play / Shutterstock

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:

  1. South Dakota
  2. Oklahoma
  3. Mississippi
  4. Nebraska
  5. 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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in League of American Bicyclists

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City