Whoever said four wheels were better than two? Whether it’s to save on gas, avoid gridlock and outrageous parking fees, or for a breath of fresh air, more people are ditching their cars for a bike. And if you're reading this, chances are, you’re one of them.
Dozens of major cities are morphing into bike-friendly places by adding trails that connect suburbs and satellite communities with its downtown area. But the bike revolution goes beyond miles of pavement.
A bike-friendly city funnels money to trail maintenance and extension, safety, and eco-minded pro-bike-commute campaigns. Now, we know not every city has the budget or the agenda. So Men’s Fitness scoped out the top 10 bike-friendly cities for you, evaluated based on the League of American Bicyclists’ program “Bicycle Friendly America”. The program examines a city’s biking atmosphere based on the amount of trails, safety courses, biking promo events, and bike law enforcement.
We know some of these cities have shorter bike seasons due to heavy snowfall or sweltering temps. But Men’s Fitness, like the League of American Bicyclists, put them at the top of our list because despite inhibiting climates, they still ensure riders have the opportunity to bike. It all starts with putting in the first trail. Here's where to go if you’re moving, on vacation, or you simply like to ride.
The Urban Rider: Chicago
Chicago has a long-standing rep for its biking-passion. And for good reason. For those not wanting to get stuck in the Windy City’s infamous traffic gridlocks, 170 miles of on-street shared bike lanes gives Chicagoans an alternative to dealing with car traffic. It’s also a quick and affordable way to get around the city, whether you’re cruising down Michigan Avenue or dodging tourists at Navy Pier. Mayor Rahm Emanuel also announced August 5 that the city is building 30 more miles of bike lanes this year—part of a planned 650-mile cycling network to be finished by 2020. The city’s overall goal? Put a bike trail or path within a half-mile of every Chicagoan.
Bikeable Miles: 117 miles of on-street bike lanes, more than 30 miles of marked shared lanes, and dozens of miles
Recommended Route: The 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail hugs Lake Michigan’s southeastern rim. Ride the asphalt sandwiched between the city’s sandy beaches and domineering skyscrapers.
The Biker Without a Bike: Washington, D.C.
Nothing’s more frustrating than being bike-less in a bikers’ city. But if you’re in D.C. you’re in luck. Four years ago, D.C. implemented America’s first bike-share program. It started with 120 bikes distributed over 10 different pick-up/drop-off stations. And D.C. bikers loved it. So Capital Bikeshare stepped up the program increasing to over 1670 bikes and 175 stations across Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA. Plus, the district has 48 miles of bike lanes and over 1,000 bike racks throughout the metropolitan area. So whether you want to cruise down the Mall or ride an out-skirting trail, you’ll be without wheels.
Bikeable Miles: 109 miles of trails, bike lanes, and cycle tracks
Recommended Route: Rock Creek Park is a collection of paved multi-use paths and on-road bike route. The southern section of the park follows a narrow path and passes several points of interest including the National Zoo.
The Sight-Seer: Denver
Riding around Denver on a bike is one of the easiest ways to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Denver has one of the most accessible downtown areas of any city in the U.S. with trails that crisscross to every corner of the city. Bikers can easily move on the 30 miles around the South Platte riverfront, coast through the Denver Botanical Gardens, hit the downtown area to shop at some of Denver’s specialty stores or head over to the Golden Triangle museum district and pop into one of the nine museums and galleries. Not sure of when to go? Denver experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine every year, so whether you want to see the spring bloom or are into the vibrant colors of autumn, there really isn’t a bad time to take in the sights and sounds of the Mile High city.
Bikeable Miles: 850 miles of paved trails, plus hundreds of miles of bike lanes and off-road trails.
Recommended Route: The Cherry Creek Bike Path, lined with cherry blossoms in the spring, gives bikes access to Castlewood Canyon State Park where you can check some cool rock formations and the remains from the Castlewood Dam, which broke and flooded Denver in 1933.
The Adventurer: Madison, WI
Madison has one of the most widespread bike trail systems and the largest population of bike owners in the United States—a bikers haven. The Kettle Moraine State Forest offers five different loops, each varying in length and difficulty. Hit the Lake to Lake trail for a scenic ride that dips and winds through forests, prairies and swamps. If you’re looking for a higher elevation challenge, ride Blue Mound State Park’s single track 3-mile trail. It’s short, but, perched at the highest point in Southern Wisconsin, it’ll give even the most seasoned riders a run for their money.
Bikeable Miles: Approx 275 miles
Recommended Route: Ride The Quarry, Madison’s ultra-technical trail. It’s a natural roller coaster. You won’t be cruising at uber speed (unless you want to go over the handlebars) but you’ll get a rush from dodging the obstacle-ridden dirt.
The Social Rider: Minneapolis/St. Paul
If you’re a rider who likes to hang out with your fellow bikers, then head to the Midwest. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota promote biking by hosting bike-themed events nearly every weekend in the summer, including organized rides and cycling races. For example, Nice Ride Minnesota, a bike-share program in the Twin Cities, hosts Nice Nites, a weekly meet-up where bikers can listen to live music and cash in on drink from local bars and restaurants. The effort to raise biker-awareness is paying off: the number of bikers in the Twin Cities increased 33 percent from 2007 to 2010.
Bikeable Miles: 81 miles of on-street bikeways and 85 miles of off-street bikeways
Recommended Route: Ride across Stone Arch Bridge, a former railway bridge that spans the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis. (Don’t be fooled: St. Anthony Falls used to be the Mississippi’s largest natural waterfall, but was replaced with a concrete overflow after its collapse over 150 years ago.) But, you can still ride across this pedestrian/bike only bridge and see bird’s eye views of the Mighty Mississippi.
The Commuter: Portland, OR
If a city could be decorated like an Olympic athlete, Portland would easily win the most gold medals. Eight percent of Portland’s commuters (that’s 566,000 people) bike to work. This puts Portland at No. 1 for bike commuting per capita among the 30 largest cities in the country—10 times the national average. Portland has one of the most extensive networks of bike routes in the U.S. and has won the League of American Bicyclists award for “Best Overall City for Bicycling in North America” four times. And Portland’s not slowing down. A $613 million citywide initiative will expand the bicycle infrastructure to cover nearly 1,000 miles of bikeway by 2030.
Bikeable Miles: 318 miles including bike lanes, greenways, paved paths, and cycle tracks.
Recommended Route: For scenic view of Portland, bike the short 1.5-mile Eastbank Esplanade trailing the east shore of the Willamette River. The trail runs through three neighborhoods and started as an urban renewal project.
The 365-Rider: San Francisco, CA
If storing your bike come winter breaks your heart, then you should head to San Francisco. The compact city has an extensive bicycle route system with over 200 miles of trails and path, most of which avoid San Francisco’s ass-kicking hills. From the swanky Mission District where craft beer costs $8 a trough, to the Golden Gate Bridge to Alamo Square, getting around is simple: ride your bike. Plus, mild temperatures provide year-round biking weather for winter haters.
Bikeable Miles: 200+ miles of designated bike routes
Recommended Route: Bike through Golden Gate Park, 3.5-miles of urban space larger than Central Park in New York City. From here, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge. Head there on a Sunday when the park is off-limits to vehicles.
The Green Biker: Ann Arbor, MI
Just south of Detroit, Ann Arbor, puts its tax dollars towards non-motorized transportation. Five percent of state gasoline and weight tax revenues are used toward projects which increases bicycle and pedestrian thruways like on-road bike lanes. The city’s getDowntown program which sponsors a “Curb Your Car Month,” promotes greener commuting. The city also hosts an annual EcoRide every summer that benefits the Ann Arbor Ecology Center and the city's push for a sustainable future. Plus, Ann Arbor’s mayor John Hieftje, pictured right, sets a good example, riding to his downtown office almost every day since he took office in 2000.
Bikeable Miles: 36.2 miles in the city of Ann Arbor, 60 miles in the greater Washtenaw County area
Recommended Route: The popular Border-to-Border Trail Connects Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor) to Wayne County (Detroit area). The trail follows the Huron River, cuts around the Eastern Michigan University campus ands runs through North Hydro Park, a local fishing spot along Ford Lake.
The Easy Rider: Austin, TX
If you’re a new mountain biker, Austin’s a great place to start. With over 110 parks that offer varied terrain, the city has prime trail options to improve your riding. Slaughter Creek is a beginner trail in the Austin area that covers five miles of ranch land. Be sure to visit during spring’s wildflower season for gorgeous views. Other than a few horses and fellow mountain bikers, you’ll have it all to yourself. Technical obstacles like rocks and roots won’t get bigger than intermediate level, and you can mix riding and walking according to your comfort level. Be sure to be out by dusk, though, because the trail’s automatic gate closes for the night.
Bikeable Miles: 325 miles of bike lanes and off-road trails.
Additional Recommended Route: Walnut Creek is another heavily traveled area with a tangle of trails in the 12-mile loop that go all over the park.
The Traveler: Seattle
Whether you’re traveling with family or going solo, there’s no better way to experience Seattle than on a bike. Weave your ways through the streets and explore Seattle’s 400 pieces of public art located in the downtown area. Then head over to the University of Washington ride around the campus or hop on to the Burke-Gilman Trail, one of the city’s most popular recreation trails, which cuts through the university. If you’re not sure of where to go, the city offers a variety of pre-arranged guided bike tours. Need a place to rest your head after a long day of riding? The Watertown Hotel caters to bikers, offering free loaner bikes and helmets to its guests and is close to the Pike Place Market, Tillicum Village and the iconic Space Needle, a must-see for first time visitors to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most vibrant cities.
Bikeable Miles: Soon to be over 450 miles of paths and trails.
Recommended Routes: Burke-Gilman Trail is a 14-mile trek on a two-lane path which takes you along Lake Union where you can catch a glimpse of the expansive Seattle skyline. The east side of the trail brings riders by the Chateau St. Michelle Winery and Red Hook Ale Brewery, perfect for a little refueling.