Minneapolis, Minnesota Named the Best Biking City in America

Don't forget your helmet in Minneapolis. A certain sense of freedom comes with getting on your bike and pedaling away your cares….

Don't forget your helmet in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis, Minnesota Named the Best Biking City in America

A certain sense of freedom comes with getting on your bike and pedaling away your cares. It could be the wind in your hair, watching the world whizz by, or maybe because it's a cell phone-free experience. Whatever the thing may be, biking can be pure magic. And if you want to take that magic on the road, there are a few destinations you should consider. 

In early 2024, Walk Score, a company owned by Redfin, released its list of the most bikeable cities in the United States. To find out which ones are heads above the rest, the team first narrowed its list to cities with a population of 200,000 or greater. Then, it calculated a Bike Score by analyzing “four equally weighted components: Bike lanes; hills; destinations and road connectivity; and bike commuting mode share.” To clarify, the team added that “mode share” means the share of people “in a city who use a bike to commute.” It then gave points to each city and weighed them “based on importance and total amounts.” 

After examining all that information, it named Minneapolis the most bikeable city in America, with an 84-point score. 

"Known for its cold weather, abundance of lakes, and numerous parkways and trails, Minneapolis is the most bikeable city in the U.S. Minneapolis earns its high marks in part due to its extremely flat terrain, interconnected parks, and robust cycling infrastructure," the findings stated. "No matter your level or style, there are bike paths, trails, and open roadways perfect for you. In fact, Minneapolis is home to 16 miles of protected bikeways and 98 miles of bike lanes. Cycle along the Great River Road and over the famous Stone Arch Bridge, grab some friends and tackle the 63-mile Luce Line State Trail, or commute to work via the Midtown Greenway. You can also take a tour of the lakes in the area by riding along the Chain of Lakes." 

While Minnesota already ranks No. 1, the researchers added that city officials are still committed to doing even more through its Open Streets Minneapolis, Move Minneapolis, and the Complete Streets Policy initiatives. As for the most bikeable neighborhoods, Seward, St. Anthony East, and Lyn Lake are the top spots. 

Joining Minneapolis at the top of the rankings is Portland, Oregon, in second with a score of 84, followed by San Francisco, Chicago, and Denver, all with scores of 72. Rounding out the top 10 are Seattle; Long Beach, California; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and New York City.

See more about all the best biking cities in America at redfin.com. 

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