The United States' Top Large City for Biking Is...

Portland (top city in 2012)? Minneapolis (top city in 2010)? No, it's the Big Apple! New York City leaped from #7 in 2012 to the top spot this year for cities with populations of 100,000 or greater.

3 minute read

September 8, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Citi Bike Rack

Joe Mazzola / flickr

"Bicycling Editor-in-Chief Bill Strickland said today’s [Sept. 3] announcement is 'a surprise to many cycling insiders,' with New York’s recent track record as a role model for other American cities putting it over the top.," writes Stephen Miller of Streetsblog NYC.

“New York City is on the leading edge of how cities can use bicycles to improve the quality of life for everyone,” (Strickland) said. ”We think it’s going to influence cities not just around the country, but around the world.”

Credit goes largely to the former Bloomberg administration, particularly to former Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "DOT added more than 366 miles of bike lanes, including 31 miles of protected bike paths [PDF], during the last seven years of the Bloomberg administration," adds Miller.

Indeed, protected bike lanes appeared to have scored particularly high this year, sending a message to all cities who wish to be viewed as "bicycle-friendly". The presence of bike share also appeared to be a major factor.

“As ‘Bicycling’ magazine notes," writes Pete Donohue of the Daily News, "New York has — against all odds — embraced, and has been transformed by, a mode of transportation which is inexpensive, burns no fuel, emits no carbon, helps tackle obesity, connects people to their communities and — let’s face it — brings joy,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

Michael Andersen, Bike Portland's news editor, lists the rankings for 2014 and 2012, after noting, "It’s our lowest ranking in 20 years. Bicycling named Portland as the nation’s best bike city in 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008 and 2012."

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Minneapolis
4. Portland
5. Washington
6. Boulder, Colo.
7. San Francisco
8. Seattle
9. Fort Collins, Colo.
10. Cambridge, Mass.

Here’s the previous Bicycling ranking, from 2012:

1. Portland
2. Minneapolis
3. Boulder, Colo.
4. Washington
5. Chicago
6. Madison
7. New York City
8. San Francisco
9. Eugene
10. Seattle

And America's "second city" also occupies that rank from Bicycling's perspective. "The magazine cited [Mayor Rahm] Emanuel’s plan to add 100 miles of protected bike lanes by 2015; the city’s $60 million Navy Pier flyover, which features an elevated bicycle-pedestrian path along the Lakefront Trail; and a “bike-share arms race with New York City," writes Rosalind Rossi, transportation reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Steve Brandi of the (Minneapolis) StarTribune explains why his city dropped to #3 and why New York and Chicago jumped to #1 and #2 respectively.

It's been late to the parade on implementing protected bike lanes, the hottest new technique for trying to persuade people to ride instead of drive. New York and Chicago jumped to the top of the list after recently adding miles of such lanes -- in which something more substantial than painted lines separate bikes from drivers.

Correspondent's note: Sorry, I could not find a link to the Bicycling Magazine article at press time. Please feel free to add it under "Comments".

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 in StreetsBlog NYC

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities