The Most Bike-Friendly States in the Nation

The League of American Bicyclists ranks states based on bike infrastructure and safety efforts.

1 minute read

December 16, 2024, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Woman on bicycle in protected bike lane on Boston bridge

A cyclist in Boston, Massachusetts. | 2p2play / Cyclist on Boston bike lane

The League of American Bicyclists issued its list of most bike-friendly states, with Washington and Massachusetts topping the list. The top five are rounded out by Oregon, California, and Minnesota.

As Dan Zukowski explains in Smart Cities Dive, “The League ranked states on the basis of five actions it advocates every state to take, said the organization’s policy director, Ken McLeod. These are centered around bicycle infrastructure, safety, funding, planning and laws.”

The report assesses state-owned roads, which see the highest number of fatalities for people biking and walking. “The biggest difference between the best-ranked states and those at the lower rungs is whether they have specific planning around bike safety and update their plans every 10 years,” McLeod said.

While most states are still spending less than 2 percent of federal transportation funds on bike and pedestrian infrastructure, New Hampshire improved its ranking by spending more than 2 percent and creating a new bike plan. “The report calls out Kansas for improving its ranking more than any other state and three states — Maine, Oklahoma and South Carolina — for adopting or planning to adopt their first statewide bike plans.”

Friday, December 13, 2024 in Smart Cities Dive

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

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.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

13 minutes ago - GoodMigrations

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

USDOT Repeals Emissions Monitoring Rule

A Biden-era regulation required states to report and plan to reduce transportation-related emissions.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of red Capital Bikeshare bikes parked at statio on sidewalk in Washington D.C.

CaBi Breaks Ridership Record — Again

Washington D.C.’s bike share system is extremely popular with both residents and visitors.

3 hours ago - Greater Greater Washington