On a weeklong cycling trip last summer through the Netherlands and Belgium, I noted the many bike-friendly elements: well-marked paths, mindful drivers, multilevel bike parking garages at train stations, even dedicated traffic signals for cyclists. How, I wondered, do U.S. cities measure up?
They’re not yet at the level of Amsterdam, no surprise. But a concerted effort by cities across the country (and in Canada) to create bike-friendly infrastructure is paying off for both residents and visitors.
As of 2025, 234 U.S. cities — up from 33 in 2019 — received a score of 50 or higher, out of a possible 100 (50 is considered the tipping point) from PeopleForBikes, a Colorado-based nonprofit. The organization annually rates the “bikeability” of thousands of communities, mostly in the United States, based on features like off-street paths, protected lanes, lower speed limits and continuous routes.
Martina Haggerty, the vice president of infrastructure for PeopleForBikes, attributes the progress largely to increased funding and support for safe cycling. Of the 99 Canadian communities the organization ranked, 44 received scores of 50 or higher.