Not only is biking one of the best forms of exercise, it’s also a great way to get around town. Biking is much cheaper than driving, you can avoid traffic jams and you won’t have to worry about finding a parking spot. Not to mention, it’s much faster than walking. If you haven’t tried biking to work before, give it a chance. You just might feel energized and ready to work by the time you get to your desk!
Top U.S. Cities for Biking
Large Cities
1. Eugene, OR: So many people ride bikes in Eugene, even its buses are equipped for transporting bikes. The city is 46 miles of shared-use bike paths and 187 miles of bike lanes on city streets. In 2010, Eugene was recognized by Bicycling magazine as one of the top 5 most bike friendly cities in America. Organizations such as We Bike Eugene help keep the local biking community strong.
2. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA: In Santa Maria, the Tailwinds Bicycle Club leads the biking community with weekly rides and special events, such as the Bicycle Safety and Giveaway program. SBBike is a nonprofit organization working to keep Santa Barbara a safe place for biking. SBBike sponsors the Riviera Youth Bike Team and helped to create Bici Centro, a bilingual bike shop that gives out free lights to bikers so they can ride safely to and from work.
3. Boulder, CO: Biking is a way of life in Boulder. The city has more than 300 miles of bikeways and an active biking community. On residential streets or rural roads, bike routes are generally labeled with green bike signs. Always be sure to follow bike safety guidelines and stay safe. Whether you’re riding your bike or driving a car, remember to share the road.
4. Missoula, MT
5. Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria, VA
Medium Cities
1. Corvallis, OR: Biking is what made Corvallis one of our overall greenest cities. The League of American Bicyclists gave Corvallis a gold rating as a Bike Friendly Community (BFC) in 2011. Additionally, Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, is a recognized Gold-level Bike Friendly University. Only 12 universities across the country have this elite status.
2. Key West, FL: In Key West, everything you need is within a few miles. Both residents and tourists in Monroe County can benefit from the convenient bike rentals. In the summer when it’s too hot to walk, biking is the perfect solution!
3. Laramie, WY: Laramie BikeNet organizes biking events for the community such as Cyclocross in the Park and Dad Dog Race and Ride. If you’re more interested in mountain biking than city biking, check out the Laramie Mountain Bike Series. Almost 6% of residents in Laramie use biking as a way to get around town.
4. Bozeman, MT
5. Ellensburg, WA
Small Cities
1. Vermillion, SD: Biking in Vermillion has been popular for a long time. Riding got even bigger when the Barking Dog Cycling Club partnered with a local church to form the first biking cooperative. The Vermillion Police Department and University Police Department helped support the initiative. The cooperative will take discarded bicycles and refurbish them. The bikes will go to community members who are in need of transportation or financial assistance.
2. Steamboat Springs, CO: Steamboat Springs is mainly known as a ski resort. Historically, during the snowy winters, skiing was the main way to get around in Steamboat Springs. Now the city is also known for cycling. The League of American Bicyclists named it a gold level Bicycle Community. This recognition means Steamboat Springs has made an effort to welcome cyclists, maintain bike lanes, and host organized rides and Bike to Work Day events.
3. Los Alamos, NM: Instead of riding your bike to work in the city, residents in Los Alamos focus on mountain biking. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Chapter in Los Alamos is known as The Tuff Riders. During the main biking season, the group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays to ride, and they take monthly trips to go on new rides outside of Los Alamos. In nearby Santa Fe, there is a women’s cycling club known as the Pedal Queen that partners with The Tuff Riders.
4. Jackson, WY
5. Fairfield, IA