Where in America is it Easiest to Bike to Work?

Today, the U.S. is celebrating Bike to Work Day. With increasing investment in bike infrastructure across the country, cycling is becoming a commuting option for more and more workers. Richard Florida looks at the places where it's easiest.

1 minute read

May 17, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Bike Commuting

Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious / flickr

Based on data provided by Bike Score, Florida and his colleagues have identified America's 25 most bikeable neighborhoods and, based on the neighborhood-level data, have mapped the country's most bike-friendly cities. "Six neighborhoods have perfect scores: three in Davis, California, and one each in Madison, Wisconsin; Boulder, Colorado and Eugene, Oregon," reports Florida. "The top-rated city overall is Tucson, with 89 neighborhoods that score 70 or higher, and Minneapolis and Portland tie for second with 61. Albuquerque and Chicago each have 60. Boulder, Sacramento, Davis, New York, and Denver round out the top 10."

If you're interested in more biking data, the folks at Governing have put together an interactive map that examines bicycle commuting trends across the United States. Using data from the 2011 and 2006 American Community Survey, the map shows which cities have seen increases and decreases in the "raw numbers of commuters who primarily bike to work." New York City appears to have the largest increase with 10,253 more commuters using bikes over the 5-year period.   

Friday, May 17, 2013 in The Atlantic Cities

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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

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