Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have been celebrated for their cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly environments, earning top spots in PeopleForBikes’ annual City Ratings. In the 2024 rankings, Minneapolis claimed the No. 1 position, while St. Paul was honored with the No. 4 spot in the large city category.
Leading the Pack: Minneapolis at No. 1
Minneapolis has long been recognized for its dedication to creating a cyclist-friendly environment. With a 2024 Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA) score of 71, the city stands out for its comprehensive approach to biking infrastructure. The high score reflects Minneapolis’s commitment to safe speeds, protected bike lanes, reallocated space for biking and walking, innovative intersection treatments, robust network connections, and the use of trusted data to guide improvements.
St. Paul’s Strong Showing at No. 4
St. Paul, with a 2024 BNA score of 61, also made a significant impact, securing the No. 4 position among large cities. This ranking underscores St. Paul’s efforts to enhance its biking infrastructure, focusing on safety and accessibility. The city has made strides in integrating protected bike lanes and improving overall network connectivity, ensuring that cycling is a viable and attractive option for residents and visitors alike.
The Importance of PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings
PeopleForBikes’ annual City Ratings is a data-driven program designed to identify, evaluate, and compare the best cities and towns for bicycling in the U.S. The rankings are based on the Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA), which scores cities on a scale of 0-100. This comprehensive analysis considers various factors essential for a robust cycling environment, including:
Safe speeds: Ensuring that speed limits are conducive to safe biking.
Protected bike lanes: Providing dedicated lanes that separate cyclists from motor traffic.
Reallocated space: Creating more space for biking and walking.
Intersection treatments: Implementing designs that enhance safety at intersections.
Network connections: Building a well-connected network of bike paths and lanes.
Trusted data: Using reliable data to inform and guide infrastructure improvements.
Other Top-Ranked Cities
Minneapolis and St. Paul are joined by other leading cities in the large category, highlighting a nationwide trend towards improving urban cycling environments:
No. 2 Seattle with a BNA score of 65.
No. 3 San Francisco with a BNA score of 64.
No. 5 Portland, Ore. with a BNA score of 59.
These cities, like Minneapolis and St. Paul, have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing their cycling infrastructure and making biking a safe, convenient, and enjoyable mode of transportation.
Conclusion
The recognition of Minneapolis and St. Paul in PeopleForBikes’ 2024 City Ratings underscores the Twin Cities’ dedication to fostering a bike-friendly environment. By prioritizing safe speeds, protected bike lanes, and extensive network connections, these cities set a benchmark for others aiming to improve their biking infrastructure. As urban areas continue to evolve, the focus on creating cyclist-friendly spaces will play a crucial role in promoting sustainable and healthy transportation options.
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