2024's most bike friendly cities in the US you should try!

If you live in one of the most bike friendly cities in the US then you’re in luck, but if you don’t, it’s a great way of traveling and choosing where you’ll visit - or even live - next!

Bike-friendly US cities tend to be known for being pretty ‘green’ cities too, with a healthy lifestyle and outdoor living at their center.

Every year People For Bikes releases its city rankings, which lists the US’s best cities for cycling based on several factors, including protected bike lanes, safe speeds, network connections, reallocated space for biking and walking and other data.
The rankings look at all US cities, from smaller ones, which sometimes outrank larger cities, to the better-known, larger cities.
In 2024, the top 5 cities, as ranked by People for Bikes were: 1. Mackinac Island (Michigan); 2. Provincetown (Massachuctes); 3. Harbor Springs (Michigan); 4. Springdale (Utah); and Washburn (Wisconsin) at number 5.

Some of these US cities are quite small, and if you’re looking for a bike-friendly US city to enjoy a longer visit then you might want to visit a larger city; the list of larger bike-friendly US cities looks like this:

Minneapolis (Minnesota);
Seattle (Washington);
San Fransisco (California);
St Paul (Minnesota);
Portland (Oregon);
Philidelphia (Pennsylvania);
New York (New York);
Washington (District of Columbia);
Denver (Colorado);
Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

Minneapolis (Minnesota)

As a city with about half a million people, Minneapolis in the Midwest, has taken many steps to elevate the needs and safety of cyclists in the city – and therefore taken top spot of the larger cycling-friendly US cities, weighing in at number 32 in the country.

Not only did it lower its default speed limit from 30 to 20 miles per hour on residential streets and to 25 miles per hour on arterial streets, but it has steadily made improvements to bike infrastructure too.

Before now, Minneapolis was best known for its historic 51-mile trail riding route – the Grand Round Scenic Byway, but it now boasts over 120 miles of on-street bikeways, dedicated bike lanes and off-street trails to enjoy. With cyclists’ safety front and center of the city’s development and a strong and friendly cycling community, it’s no wonder this friendly city enjoys the top spot.

Suitable for all ages and experience levels, you can enjoy the city’s neighborhoods, parks, and attractions through its extensive network of bike paths.

Seattle (Washington)

Another US city prioritizing cyclists’ safety by cutting traffic speed is Seattle. Slashing speeds to 20mph on non-arterial highways and roads connecting has allowed Seattle to come second in the list of larger bike-friendly US cities.

Ranking 56th in the whole US, Seattle boasts a blend of in-street painted bike lanes, fully separated Protected Bike Lanes and Multi-Use Trails. Even a quick Google turns up an impressive choice of bike-hire options and routes, so if you are planning a trip to the Emerald City, then you’ll be spoilt for choice.

You’ll enjoy Downtown Seattle much more if you’re on an e-bike as the hills rival that of its Pacific coast cousin, San Fransisco, and can be punishing to say the least! However, once you get out of Downtown and explore to the north, there’s much more leisurely, less steep riding aplenty!

With bike boulevards and bike paths connecting the University District, Northgate, Ballard, Discovery Park and more, you can effortlessly enjoy the area’s delicious foodie offerings and family friendly spots by bike.

San Fransisco (California)

Another Pacific city, San Fransisco has long been celebrated as a bike-friendly city despite its killer hills! A cap on traffic speed to 20mph in the Tenderloin District and 17 corridors across the city, help keep average speeds low and safer for cyclists looking to explore its iconic landmarks by bike.

With dedicated bike lanes, bike-sharing programs, and a community of passionate cyclists to tap into, exploring San Fransisco by bike is easy. Soak up the city’s unique charm and diverse neighborhoods, lap up its beautiful waterfront, or take in iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge or the historic streets of the Mission District.

St Paul (Minnesota)

With over 200 miles of bike-friendly paths, trails and roads, the capital of Minnesota is a great place to enjoy by bike. Cycling is the perfect way to take in the historic architecture, picturesque parks and buzzing streets of St Paul.

Thanks to its extensive network of bike lanes and trails, you can easily take in the sights of the Mississippi River, Como Park, and the iconic Cathedral of Saint Paul. But that’s not all, two wheels can take you to less touristy spots too: from the vibrant arts scene in Lowertown to the tranquil paths of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, St Paul’s is a great place to discover by bike.

Portland (Oregon)

Portlanders (as they’re known) love to cycle, with nearly 6% of residents opting for it as their preferred mode of transport; and an even higher percentage of them choosing to commute by bike. If that doesn’t confirm a city’s status in the most bike-friendly cities in the US list, then we don’t know what does!

But of course, there’s more accolades to bestow on this cycle-first city and that includes an impressive 400 miles of cycling and commuting infrastructure. The City of Roses has successfully prioritized cycling and cyclists’ safety for years now; and combined with numerous initiatives, one of which includes the Nike-sponsored Biketown bike share program, which offers thousands of e-bikes at subsidized rates, it’s easily in the top 5 of America’s big cities for cycling.

There’s a real effort to make cycling more inclusive in Portland too. The East Portland in Motion Plan, for instance, aims to enhance cycling infrastructure and build bike lanes in diverse neighborhoods, ensuring that cycling remains inclusive and accessible to all residents.

From the scenic waterfront along the Willamette River to the lush greenery of Forest Park, riding in Portland is a great blend of urban exploring and natural beauty. Pedal your way between iconic landmarks like Powell's Books and the Portland Art Museum and enjoy the neighborhoods of Alberta Arts District and Mississippi Avenue. Portland’s laid-back vibe and eco-friendly ethos make it a seriously charming place to explore by bike.

E-bike with good range

If you’re traveling further afield, check out our article on 9 of the World’s Most Bike Friendly Cities for some inspo. If you’re here for exploring then you’re going to want an e-bike that can go the distance, which means you’re looking for an e-bike with impressive range, or space for an extra battery – and you want a superfast recharge time too; because no one wants to have to wait a day for their bike to charge!

Our Cito E+ throttle e-bike has an impressive 180km range, with our Transend E+ coming in a close second with 170km. Our PakYak E+ cargo e-bike can go up to 90km, which doubles to 180km when you use the auxiliary battery.