We’re making biking better in Kansas through funding local bike projects, supporting pro-bike policies and legislation at the local and state levels and highlighting great hometown routes on Ride Spot. In fall 2019, our Community Grant Program helped fund the creation of a new pump track in La Harpe City Park.

From bustling cities to small towns, communities from coast to coast amplified their commitment to better biking with an unprecedented surge in safer, more comfortable places to ride in 2023. And, with thousands of additional projects planned across the country and more federal funding for bikes available than ever, we can reasonably expect the pace of construction to increase more dramatically in the coming years. 

Even for the most ardent naysayers, it’s difficult to deny that the landscape of bicycling in America is transforming (although not as quickly as many of us would like to see). While we have yet to see any U.S. cities emerge with truly bold citywide plans for bike networks as we’ve seen in places like London, Paris, and Bogota, many are (slowly) beginning to envision a future where cycling takes center stage. Although there remains a substantial amount of work ahead of us to cultivate a safe and comfortable environment for people of all ages and abilities to ride bikes in the U.S., it's well worth pausing to commemorate the significant infrastructure victories U.S. cities achieved in 2023.

Photo credit: New York City Department of Transportation

After car-free streets took the top spot on last year’s list, we’re delighted to witness locales like New York City continuing to adopt more of these low-stress environments for cyclists. Launched in March, NYC’s much-anticipated vision for Broadway is beginning to transform the iconic street with pedestrian plazas, inviting outdoor dining structures, planters, and bike improvements, with the stretch between West 25th and 32nd streets being reshaped in 2023. While the full vision includes a “people-centric” Broadway connecting Union Square to Columbus Circle, the city’s next phase is on the horizon, with planned improvements underway between West 33rd and 21st Street.

2. 156th Street Cycle Track | Redmond, Washington

Featuring a two-way cycle track, Redmond’s 156th Street Cycle Track improves access to the Redmond Technology Station — part of Sound Transit’s East Link Extension — and the NE 40th Street Shared Use Path. This area of Redmond, the longstanding home of the Microsoft Corporate Campus, remains a focal point for the tech giant's ongoing commitment to community development. While the Microsoft-funded section is complete, the City of Redmond is working to expand it further from 140th to Turing.

In September, Salt Lake City celebrated the completion of its most significant public works project to date, the 300 West Reconstruction Project, which features a separated, two-way, 10-foot-wide bike lane, upgraded sidewalks, and more than 200 new trees to provide shade and serve as a buffer to the roadway. New "bioswales" were also integrated to improve water quality by filtering debris from stormwater runoff. The project, funded through the "Funding Our Future" bond, showcases Salt Lake City's commitment to prioritizing biking as a sustainable and accessible mode of transportation while fostering greener and safer corridors for all road users. Special project features include raised sidewalks and bikeways at all non-signalized intersections, bike counters, wayfinding signage, and green-tinted concrete.

4. Inman Square | Cambridge, Massachusetts

After two and a half years of construction, the Inman Square project in Cambridge reached its much-anticipated completion in 2023, featuring sidewalk-level bike lanes, protected intersections, shorter crosswalks, and a vibrant new plaza. Serving as a pivotal crossroads for various modes of transportation, these enhancements further Cambridge's dedication to Vision Zero and demonstrate the power of their Cycling Safety Ordinance, which propelled Cambridge to a score of 58 in PeopleForBikes’ annual City Ratings program. As evidence of its high quality, the project made headlines earlier this year after a social media video seemingly showcasing bike infrastructure in the Netherlands went viral, only to be revealed as a playful deception filmed in Cambridge's Inman Square.

5. Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis’s Bryant Avenue South reconstruction project, stretching from Lake St. to 50th St. W., reshaped a residential street in the heart of south Minneapolis. Despite its quiet residential character, Bryant Avenue is a key bicycling corridor parallel to the congested Lyndale Avenue. Previously converted into a "bicycle boulevard" in 2010, the reconstruction — which created a bidirectional sidewalk-level protected bikeway, intersection improvements, pedestrian-scale lighting, and stormwater infrastructure — reflects a forward-looking commitment to safer and more sustainable transportation that’s helped Minneapolis become the best large U.S. city this year’s City Ratings.

In September, Pasadena celebrated the completion of its first two-way protected bike lane along Union Street. The new 1.5-mile protected bike lane enhances connectivity to Pasadena's popular destinations, including Old Pasadena, Playhouse Village, Pasadena City College, Caltech, and the Metro Gold Line Station at Memorial Park. Approved by the City Council in 2016, the project repurposed existing road space to accommodate the protected bike lane, converting the previous one-way westbound street into a cyclist-friendly corridor. This initiative supports Pasadena's commitment to sustainable transportation and efficient urban planning. The project was funded through a combination of local and federal sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act, California’s Active Transportation Program, Gas Tax, Los Angeles County’s Measure R, CMAQ, and Pasadena’s Traffic Reduction Fee.

Inspired by successful implementations in cities like Toronto, Boulder introduced new "tall curbs" along Baseline Road in 2023 to physically separate bike and vehicle lanes, offering increased protection for people biking. The project is a critical element of Boulder's Core Arterial Network (CAN), which includes plans for strategic improvements along some of the city's least safe corridors for people walking and biking. With local artist Talia Swartz Parsell adding vibrant paintings to the barriers, the initiative combines safety and public art that complements the surrounding mountainous landscape. Further enhancements are slated for 2024, including additional bike lane barriers. 

8. Pinellas Bayway South | Tierra Verda, Florida

The Pinellas Bayway South Cycle Track in Tierra Verde is a significant addition to the more extensive Pinellas Trail network that spans more than 50 miles. Originating in 1983, the Pinellas Trail has steadily expanded since, becoming a regional destination with more than 1.5 million annual users. The new cycle track, separated from traffic by a raised concrete island, rectifies safety issues caused by vehicles parking in the prior non-protected bike lanes and helps reduce speeding along the corridor. Managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as part of a resurfacing project, the new cycle track closes a two-mile gap between the Pinellas Trail, connecting trail users to Fort De Soto County Park. “FDOT was able to use their existing standard detail for median islands to separate the cycle track from the travel lanes,” said Kyle Simpson, an active transportation planner with Forward Pinellas. “[That] reduced the cost of the project and did not require moving any drainage.”

9. East Main Street | Rochester, New York

Photo credit: Erdman, Anthony and Associates, Inc.

Rochester’s East Main Street Reconstruction project features sidewalk-level bicycle lanes designed in accordance with the City's Complete Streets policy. While addressing needs such as roadway repaving, water main replacement, and new sidewalks, the project also introduced decorative lighting, street trees, and new signage. As part of Rochester's "spine network," a vital element outlined in the city’s Active Transportation Master Plan, the East Main Street project reinforces the city's dedication to creating a well-connected and accessible bike network.

Through a $6 million Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone project, San Antonio transformed Avenue B into a one-way, southbound street to accommodate protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, on-street parking, and landscaping. Serving as a vital connection between the River Walk, Downtown, and various amenities, Avenue B contributes to San Antonio's expanding network of bike lanes and links to trails along the San Antonio River. Ultimately, the city hopes to extend the bike lane north of I-35 to reach the Witte Museum and Brackenridge Park. 

In a commitment to enhance road safety, the City of Dayton completed a $12 million reconstruction project along Salem Avenue between the Great Miami River and Cornell Drive. The federally funded initiative transformed a six-lane “stroad” into a lower-speed street with widened sidewalks, a bi-directional protected cycle track, decorative lighting, and pedestrian islands. The Salem Avenue project connects to more than 350 miles of regional trails as part of the Miami Valley Trails network. In September, Dayton approved an Active Transportation Plan to expand the network further, with more than 20 projects slated for construction by 2027. 

12. 12th Avenue South | Nashville, Tennessee

Photo credit: Nashville Department of Transportation

The 12th Avenue project in Nashville — envisioned as part of the 2017 WalknBike master planning process and subsequently identified as a top bikeway priority by the community — transformed a vital stretch of Nashville into the city’s first complete and green street. The 1.5-mile project includes physically protected bike lanes, bioswales for stormwater management, bus boarding islands, and safer pedestrian crossings. 

“The corridor had existing, substandard bikeways — with significant demand for better, safer facilities to connect affordable housing and student housing with Nashville’s downtown and other commercial districts,” said Anna Dearman, NDOT’s walking and biking manager. In response, NDOT moved the project swiftly from conceptualization to reality, with accelerated final design and construction phases to improve connectivity for affordable and student housing residents along the corridor to downtown and other commercial districts.

13. Turner Avenue | Grand Rapids, Michigan

With funding from a combination of the city’s Vital Streets program (a voter-approved income tax for road and sidewalk projects) and federal Surface Transportation Program and Carbon Reduction Program sources, Turner Avenue represents a major bike infrastructure upgrade for Grand Rapids. This transformative project, which replaced a striped one-way bike lane with a new, separated, two-way facility, spans 1.2 miles from 4th Street to Richmond. The project also increased greenspace to mitigate stormwater runoff and filter pollutants entering the Grand River. The city plans to begin design work to extend the bikeway from 4th Street to Fulton Street West in 2024.

14. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive | Atlanta, Georgia

Photo credit: Central Atlanta Progress/The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District

The Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Cycle Track in Downtown Atlanta was a collaboration between the City of Atlanta Department of Transportation and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, furthering the Downtown Atlanta Master Plan by enhancing safety and accessibility in the city center. According to Stacy Grolimund, senior project manager with Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the project began in late 2022 when the Atlanta City Council voted to resurface streets near City Hall and the State Capitol. Councilmember Jason Dozier advocated for the inclusion of multimodal safety enhancements to align the project with the City’s Vision Zero goals. For now, the protected two-way cycle track stretches from Forsyth Street to Capitol Avenue, but the project is part of a more extensive planned network that will ultimately provide direct access to State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, and westside neighborhoods like Vine City. 

Physically separated bike lanes in the suburbs? Yes, please! In Agawam, Massachusetts, Dutch-style bike infrastructure emerged as one of the standout bike lanes of 2023. Sparked by the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge replacement and MassDOT’s Complete Streets directive, the project resulted in separated bike paths along Main Street, Springfield Street, Suffield Street, and Memorial Avenue. The area, dotted with strip malls, now offers improved accessibility to local businesses and schools, marking a significant step toward sustainable transportation for this suburban area. Since completion, it's proven highly successful, with increased student biking and plans for further extensions to expand the network. Michelle Chase, Agawam’s town engineer, emphasized, “MassDOT’s Complete Streets program has been absolutely critical for the success of this project,” noting that it “inspired everyone involved in the design to push for the best accommodations even when challenges were encountered.”

16. 17th Street | Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica further solidified its reputation as a great city for bicycling with the completion of curb-protected bike lanes along 17th Street. Stretching just over a mile from Wilshire Boulevard to Pico Boulevard, this project features Southern California's first curb-protected intersections, offering significant safety improvements for cyclists. The 17th Street bikeway conveniently connects key locations such as the 17th Street Metro E Line Station, Santa Monica College, and the Michigan Avenue Greenway, creating a more accessible and interconnected bike network.

Earlier in 2023, Santa Monica's innovative use of a concrete extrusion machine for bike lane construction garnered significant attention, with the efficient, precise technology creating multiple blocks of protected bikeways in a single day. In a Streetsblog article from June, the city's principal engineer, Selim Eren, highlighted the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and speed of the method, emphasizing the significant transformation from traditional bike lanes to the new protected design on Ocean Avenue, resulting in a substantial increase in cyclist volume. 

17. Meadowbrook Road | Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson’s new Meadowbrook Road project, unveiled in May 2023, has been championed by the Mississippi Department of Health for its role in improving public health and well-being. From Old Canton Road to West Street/Northbrook Drive, the $3.3 million project features a new road-adjacent shared-use path for people walking, rolling, and biking. Funded through a federal FAST Act grant and Jackson’s One-Percent Municipal Sales Tax, the project also included roadway resurfacing, ADA modifications, and traffic signal upgrades. Meadowbrook Road is one of several projects the city has underway to connect its downtown to the Fondren District and Jackson State University. “In our community, our residents value both cycling and walking along with accommodating wheelchair users. With a smaller right-of-way in the heart of the city and the need to use our limited space efficiently, the shared-use path has become our go-to choice in the city,” said Robert Lee, Jackon’s city engineer.

Stretching approximately 1.25 miles, the recently constructed Belmont Avenue protected bike lanes create a low-stress, east-west route across Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway and over the Chicago River while connecting several north-south protected lanes, neighborhood greenways, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Belmont Station, and the 312 Riverrun Bike Trail. The project also improved safety for pedestrians and transit riders through curb bump-outs, concrete refuge islands, and bus priority treatments. 

The project marks just one of the dozens recently completed by Chicago — contributing to more than 55 miles of bikeway projects completed in the last year alone along streets like Augusta, Central Park Avenue in Garfield Park, Clinton, Dearborn, Grand, Kedzie, and Milwaukee. Together, these projects are signs of definite improvement for Chicago, which scored only 7 out of 100 points in our 2023 City Ratings. We’ll be watching closely to see how the city’s score improves in the coming years with its new commitment to protected bike lanes. 

As big cities across the U.S. continue to grow in size with inner-city congestion, many folks are looking to ditch the increasing crowds in favor of more up-and-coming locales. The following cities are great places to look to settle down because they are not only hubs of population growth, new employment and great culture, they also encourage an active and healthy lifestyle and back it up with investments in active transportation infrastructure!

Salt Lake City, Utah, has pretty much anything a millennial looking to settle down could want. It is affordable and quite LGBTQ+ friendly, it’s surrounded by one of the best natural playgrounds you could ask for, parks are abundant, home values are looking to grow in coming years and the city has started work on a 220-mile bike network. Known as the “Crossroads of the West,” Salt Lake City was founded in 1847 and is now home to nearly 190,000 people.

Currently, 50% of arterial streets and 56% of collector streets in town have some type of bike lane or bikeway. Since the city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan passed in 2015, SLC has begun work on expanding this infrastructure to include 220 miles of bikeway and numerous facilities throughout the city.

Veering off paved paradise and into the sandy, desert dunes, there are mountain bike trails and bike parks galore! Visit the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for some fast and fun descents or hop on the Wasatch Crest trail for some 360-degree high alpine views. Salt Lake City is a growing gem of the Intermountain West. Unparalleled access to nature, expanding infrastructure, an active downtown and great culture make this mid-size town a great place to live and ride!

Missoula, Montana, also known as “The Garden City,” was founded in 1864 and is home to 74,822 people, making it the second-largest city in Montana. Missoula is located in the Northern Rockies of Montana, surrounded by seven wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers, making backyard views exceptional to say the least. Missoula is currently growing at a rate of 0.83% annually and to handle the growing need for transportation, the Missoula Bicycle Facilities Master Plan was adopted in 2017. Currently, there are more than 50 miles of shared-use paths and 37 miles of on-street bike lanes in town, with the new master plan aiming to expand infrastructure to 101 miles of shared-use paths, nearly 90 miles of on-street bike lanes and 31 miles of neighborhood greenways.

Transportation isn’t the only growing need, but thankfully Missoula is in the perfect place for a growing culture of recreation! MTB Missoula is a local organization that envisions a Missoula “where mountain bikers are the most thoughtful, informed and engaged group of users on the trail.” The organization helped build Missoula’s first public, bike-specific trails and manages more than 100 miles of local and backcountry singletrack. The most well-known are the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Marshall Mountain. The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is what most people think of when mountain biking in Missoula comes to mind. It is a wild, smooth singletrack area directly north of downtown, offering great rides for all skill levels. Marshall Mountain caters to the more extreme riders, boasting a bunch of fast descents on an old ski hill — bumpy rides that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Missoula is the place to go if you are seeking your next mountain biking mecca!

Although it doesn’t quite make the “small-town” list with a population of 300,000, Saint Paul, Minnesota, certainly has the small-town feel. The city’s energetic community, historic interest, cultural landmarks and time-honored traditions make Saint Paul the historical and cultural heart of Minnesota. The beauty of this city isn’t just downtown — Saint Paul is home to more shoreline on the Mississippi River than any other city, offering up beautiful waterfront views wherever you go.

There are 207 miles of bicycle-friendly paths and roadways that connect the twin city. In 2015, the most recent Bicycle Plan of Saint Paul was adopted, which recommended an additional 140 miles throughout the current network to create more cohesive routes. If the accessibility wasn’t enough to get you excited, the Saint Paul Classic will! A community-driven race that offers routes for all skill levels, the Saint Paul Classic also includes extremely scenic rest stops to highlight the charm of the city along the way. The event attracts nearly 2,500 riders and hundreds of fans every year. For those seeking more adventure, there are opportunities to race down fun descents at Battlecreek Park, Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Park or Salem Hills Park. Saint Paul has something for everyone, so as the town says, “Grab a helmet and get spinning!”

Lawrence, Kansas, is known for having one of the most beautiful downtowns in America with a vibrant art and live music scene. But this quirky little town has more to be excited about… Bikes and waffles! Kansas has a very rich cycling history and is the home state of many notable riders — Lawrence is home to the Kansas Cycling Association. While lots of people see Kansas as a perpetually flat state, many of them will think “we’re not in Kansas anymore,” when confronted with the rolling hills that surround Lawrence.

Lawrence plays host to one of the most unique cycling races in the United States, the Belgian Waffle Ride. This 111.11 kilometer race crosses undulating gravel, trails, grass, mud, dirt and a couple patches of asphalt, also including a much-needed Belgian snack available at kilometer 58. 4,000 cyclists flock to Lawrence every year to compete in this unique race! Cruising on the pavement is a favorite pastime of Lawrence locals — coming into town you are sure to see smiling cyclists enjoying the 66 miles of bike paths this quirky town has to offer!

Bellingham, Washington, home to 90,821 residents, is known as the “City of Subdued Excitement” because the appeal of the city lies in its quieter attractions that do not attract hordes of tourists. In-town attractions include mountain and waterfront views, gigantic murals and a vibrant downtown. Slightly out of town, in the surrounding Whatcom County, lies abundant nature and accessible outdoor adventure from the Salish Sea to Mt. Baker and the North Cascades National Park.

Bellingham is growing at a staggering rate of 1.93% annually and has felt the effects of a growing population on this previously small town. In an effort to alleviate transportation concerns, the City of Bellingham passed a Bike and Pedestrian Master plan in 2014 to bring 130 miles of bikeway to the city, bringing the total amount of bikeways in Bellingham to 170 miles connecting downtown and high-traffic areas. This project has been supported by the Tour De Whatcom race, which offers three race categories — 22, 44 or 105 miles — and draws nearly 1,000 bike enthusiasts to Bellingham annually. This town is not only drawing road race fans, it is known as the best place to mountain bike in Washington. Its prize park is Galbraith Mountain, a world-class destination within riding distance of the city. The expansion of Bellingham leaves the city and cyclists racing to keep up with the growing number of attractions, literally and figuratively!

Located just outside of the Iowa state capital of Des Moines, Ankey is a mid-size suburb that is currently growing at a staggering annual rate of 2.94% because it is considered one of the best places to live in Iowa. Ankeny offers a hometown feel with first-class amenities. The nearly 80 miles of bikeways connect the city’s 40 parks, water sports opportunities and downtown. Part of the network is the High Trestle Trail which is 25 miles long and offers great views of the valley. This trail in particular attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year and spurred the City of Ankeny’s 2019 Bicycle Tourism Plan, which plans to expand bicycle facilities and paths across town. Outside of the city, you can bike your way over to Des Moines to explore the State Capitol Building, explore the events at the Iowa State Fairgrounds or support the local farmers at the Downtown Farmers Market. Ankeny is not the most mainstream destination for biking, just one more reason we ranked it as one of the best!

More and more states are realizing the benefits of electric bicycles as they seek to lower vehicle miles traveled and make progress towards climate goals. This was clearly illustrated within state legislative sessions during 2022, with an unprecedented number of new laws passed that improve the rights of electric bicycle riders, expand access to places to ride and create programs that make an electric bicycle easier to purchase.

Five new state electric bicycle purchase incentive programs

This year, five states either passed or renewed funding for electric bicycle purchase incentive programs. These states include Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Vermont. This amount of statewide electric bicycle incentive programs has never been seen before and the rate of adoption is not expected to decline in 2023. An overview of each program can be found below: 

Massachusetts: Up to $500 for general customers and $750 for low-income customers.

Hawaii: Up to $500 or 20% of retail price, available to students, those without cars and low-income residents on other government support programs. 

Connecticut: Up to $300 for general customers and $700 for low-income customers. 

Colorado: Invests $10 million in local rebate programs across the state and $2 million in electric bicycle share programs. The specific rebate amount is yet to be determined.

Vermont: Doubled investment in the already-allocated electric bicycle incentive program with an additional $50,000 budgeted this year. The program launched to the public in July 2022. Rebate amounts are dependent on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) requirements.

To see a detailed list of all electric bicycle incentive programs throughout the country, check out this handy tracker from the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University.

39 states now with three-class model electric bicycle legislation

Three new states (Kansas, Massachusetts (for Class 1 and 2, not 3), and Delaware (anticipated to be signed by the governor any week now) signed PeopleForBikes’ three-class model legislation into law this year. Each state has subtle differences in its laws, but fundamentally, these bills define electric bicycles using the three-class system; Regulate electric bicycles like bicycles (meaning the same rules of the road apply to both electric bicycles and human-powered bicycles) and exempt electric bicycles from the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.

39 states define electric bicycles using the three-class system: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Nine states do not use the three-class system but define electric bicycles similar to traditional bicycles: Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Two states still define electric bicycles as motorized vehicles (and may therefore require license, insurance and registration to ride: Alaska and Rhode Island.

2022 State Legislative Wins for Electric Bicycles

Gravel biking has a somewhat nebulous definition. It does not mean biking solely on small rocks, but rather exploring any variety of unpaved surfaces, with conditions ranging from smooth forest service roads to rutted out double track. The bikes are multipurpose — lighter than mountain bikes but burlier than road bikes — combining road bike geometry with mountain bike capabilities. With more than two million miles of unpaved roads across the U.S., there are opportunities for gravel riding nationwide. 

Gravel racing, one of bicycling’s fastest-growing sectors, features courses ranging from 30 all the way to 200 miles, many winding through smaller towns. Legendary competitions are held in places seldom heard of nationally: Emporia, Kansas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Cable, Wisconsin, to name a few. These small towns are uniquely situated for gravel riding because they have old farm roads, nearby public lands, and a sense of mystery that many big city riders are attracted to. Small towns offer many benefits for gravel racing, but gravel racing has reciprocal positive effects on the communities — towns that play host for a weekend can see economic, cultural, and conceptual benefits year round.

Outdoor recreation is not often associated with Kansas, even less so with the small town of Emporia, located about an hour’s drive southwest of Topeka. Visitors love the community in the Flint Hills because of the stellar quality of gravel, the people, and the big annual race. Unbound, a 100-mile race, began as a small ride of 34 people. It has since blossomed into an entire week of celebration with 4,000 riders at the starting line. It is called the world’s premier gravel event and attracts pros from around the globe. LeLan Dains, founder of Unbound and a bike shop owner in Emporia, said the biggest gain from this race is the sense of pride locals now feel as a “destination” instead of just a dot on the map. 

People, businesses, and nonprofits have all felt the effects of the event, Gravel City Roasters being a prime example. Operating under their current ownership since 2011, the downtown coffee shop has witnessed the changes in both Unbound and the city as a whole. The owner, Angela Baker, has developed relationships with returning riders throughout the years. As a safe space for the local LGBTQ community, the cafe seemed like a natural option for a fundraiser. The cafe partnered with pros Yuri Hauswald and Molly Cameron to raise funds for Bloom House Youth Services, an all-inclusive shelter for at-risk youth. When they held a shakeout ride on the Thursday before race weekend, the cafe expected 40 or 50 people at most. Instead, hundreds showed up and rode in support of the local shelter. The feeling that Unbound has brought to the town is unique. “Anytime a town organically builds what turns into an international event, there’s a lot of community pride that comes with it. The whole town looks forward to it every year,” says local Jeremy Johns. His brewery, Radius Brewing Company, in turn helps sponsor a smaller gravel race in nearby Americus, Kansas. These community-cycling partnerships are common, and can often reach farther than the small town itself.

Kansas is also home to a burgeoning NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) league, currently in its second year. There are more than 200 competitors, with two dozen in Emporia alone. Cycling is becoming a sport starting at younger and younger ages in Kansas. Bikepacking routes are also being developed across the Great Plains, creating more access to the unseen natural beauty of the region. People have moved to Emporia solely for gravel biking. A prime example is what Dains called “the tale of two Bobs.” Two remote business owners from opposite coasts moved for the friendly small town and the Flint Hills. The draw of small towns, for cultural and recreational reasons, has only grown since the COVID pandemic with the explosion of remote work.

Gravel biking creates economic change, especially in small towns like Emporia. 4,000 riders race, but the actual number of people coming into town for the event is much higher. The Flint Hills of Kansas become engorged for race weekend with more than 25,000 out-. A 2018 study by Penn State put the economic impact of the weekend at $5.5 million. The sales tax, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and of course bike shops all share in the dollars flowing for Unbound weekend. This doesn’t count the number of people who come for a week before or after, as all of the professional riders interviewed for this story did. Visitors often return as well, both annually and more frequently. 

Gravel riding can bring people to small towns for both sanctioned events as well as training rides. Training for longer rides usually involves getting off the beaten path, meaning riders get to become familiar with small towns, and see changes that most people in a city wouldn’t otherwise notice. The small Texas town of Castell hosts the Castell Gravel Grind, a 550-person race that sells out within the first hour or two registration is open. The unique Hill Country topography and proximity to Austin and San Antonio make Castell a hot-bed for out-of-town visitors . Many stop at the local gas station/saloon/restaurant, the Castell General Store. This historic building is in turn supported by the race’s nonprofit partner, the Castell Preservation Association. This community ethic is reflected in the races themselves.

The biggest difference many professional racers note from road events is that gravel races feel egalitarian and community-driven. Everybody lines up at the same start line at many races, and people are there to complete a race with their friends instead of competing. In the words of professional racer Ryan Standish, “Gravel is much more communal. People are there for fun and to race with their buddies at the end of the day.” This communal feeling means tight-knit communities provide a perfect stage.

The cultural and economic changes gravel cycling brings are abundant for these small towns. Community members can have a positive local event to hang their hat on and urbanites gain a new appreciation for small towns off the beaten path. This appreciation can be expressed in return visits for training rides, learning new history, and interacting with people they wouldn’t run into in  everyday life. Gravel cycling has grown 109% over the last few years, and the opportunity to ride in safer, but still wild, environments means it is more than a passing trend for those looking to get out there explore by bike.

Gravel Biking Is Transforming Small Town America

The 12 projects utilize everything from community art to electric bikes and span the country from New York to Hawaii.

The Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) awarded $89,970 in mini-grants to 12 projects that will reach and engage traditionally underserved populations through shared micromobility. This is the sixth round of grant funding that PeopleForBikes will administer through its partner role with BBSP. 

“Better Bike Share mini-grants allow us to support and share lessons from small, innovative projects," said Zoe Kircos, director of grants and partnerships at PeopleForBikes and manager of BBSP. "We look forward to learning from these grantees and seeing how their strategies help more people access bike share systems.”

The following projects were selected to receive funding: 

Reddy E-Bike Library Ambassadors | $10,000
Shared Mobility Inc./Reddy Bikeshare, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY

Reddy Bikeshare, in partnership with Independent Health, will join with East Side Bike Club and the Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative to use this funding to hire, train and support four community ambassadors to help underserved residents access electric bicycles through a new bike library program.

Bike-N-Ride: Linking Bike Sharing With Transit Through Art Tours That Highlight Community Narratives | $10,000
City of Fort Lauderdale – Transportation and Mobility, Fort Lauderdale, FL

The City of Fort Lauderdale will partner with local community-based organizations to host three bike tours featuring storytelling and art. The rides will coincide with and end at a local monthly art walk event.

Savvy Cycling | $10,000
Midwest Bikeshare, Inc./Bublr Bikeshare, Milwaukee, WI

As Bublr expands into historically marginalized neighborhoods with 26 new stations, system ambassadors from those communities will offer urban bike skills classes, free helmets and a complimentary 30-day pass to local residents.

North Tulsa Expansion/African American Community Outreach | $10,000
Tulsa Bike Share/This Machine, Tulsa, OK

Five new This Machine stations will be installed in North Tulsa, a historically Black neighborhood. The expansion will be matched with promotions, events and other activities offered in partnership with community-based organizations located in the area.

People for Mobility Justice ElectroBicis in Pacoima  | $10,000
Community Partners, Los Angeles, CA

People for Mobility Justice will work with Pacoima Beautiful to make 100 electric bikes available for long-term rental to residents as part of a pilot in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. PeopleForBikes’ grant will fund classes on safe bicycling and bike maintenance, along with safety equipment such as helmets and lights.

Justice on Wheels 2021 | $8,600
Family Matters, Chicago, IL

Practice rides and events, geared towards helping residents build endurance and community, will culminate in a 15-mile intergenerational ride through the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Speakers at stops on the route will explore themes of transformative justice and transportation equity, with a celebration at the end. 

Biki Ambassador Project | $7,770
Bikeshare Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Biki will focus on outreach to Native Hawaiians and other underserved communities with the launch of a new Ambassador program. In partnership with a local organization, the bike share system will recruit, hire and train 10 people from the community to promote bike share and provide feedback.

The Way We Move: Making Biking Accessible for All in Raleigh | $6,500
Oaks and Spokes, Raleigh, NC

Reaching and engaging older adults in underserved communities is the focus of the events and activities in this new program. AARP and senior living facilities will serve as partners and an intern will be hired from a local HBCU.

Roll to Recovery | $6,000
OneFifteen, Dayton, OH

Through a partnership with Bike Miami Valley, OneFifteen, an addiction recovery campus, will support the mental and physical health of patients and staff by helping them ride. In addition to placing a bike share station on the facility’s campus, the nonprofit will offer helmets and annual passes to those who complete a free cycling safety class.

Allen County Micromobility Education Program | $5,000
Thrive Allen County, Allen County, KS

With this funding, Allen County’s free bike share system will hire a local ambassador to offer free bike repair workshops to residents countywide, addressing a common barrier to increased bicycling.

Segundo Barrio Mural Bikes | $4,300
Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, El Paso, TX

Local artists will paint seven bike share bikes inspired by the murals located in the historically significant Segundo Barrio, introducing more people to the artwork and bike share. Once completed, the painted bikes will be part of a bike share demo and gallery event in the featured neighborhood.

Share Boxes for Bike Share Racks | $1,800
Green Apple Bikes, Inc., Manhattan, KS

This completely free, volunteer-driven bike share system will add share boxes to stations in select locations, offering donated items including bicycling safety gear with funding from this grant.

Better Bike Share Partnership Awards $89,970 in Grants

Great bike rides can start anywhere, but sometimes it’s worth the extra travel to race to a backdrop of breathtaking coastal landscapes, glorious mountain peaks or rugged desert terrain. We’ve highlighted 13 bike events that we think are worth the trip in 2019 — including some old favorites.

Bentonville, Arkansas (Oct. 11–13, 2019)

Connect with a selection of the finest Northwest Arkansas singletrack, double track and paved segments at the Oz Trails Off-Road event. With 25-,35- and 50-mile routes plus daily festivities, riders of all levels can enjoy the beauty of the Ozark mountains and mingle with other mountain bike enthusiasts along the way. If you’re still not convinced, finishers receive a custom-designed mason jar filled with with locally produced pimento cheese.

If you’re up for tackling Colorado’s extreme, high-altitude terrain we highly suggest signing up for this one-of-a-kind MTB race. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, Leadville’s picturesque Rocky Mountain views will almost make you forget about the altitude effects. This out-and-back route takes place mostly on forest trails with the occasional stretch of mountain road.

Created in the spirit of the Belgian one-day cycling classics, the 2019 edition of this challenging race takes riders 136 miles up mountains, across dirt sections and over water crossings. The 12,000 feet of climbing is not for the faint of heart, but your strenuous effort is sure to earn you some delicious waffles and post-race libations. If this is your first gravel grinder, we recommend checking out the shorter 76-mile Belgian Wafer Ride.

Ketchum, Idaho (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, 2019)

Started in 2013 by renowned bike racer Rebecca Rusch, RPI is a long-haul gravel ride and outdoor festival held over Labor Day weekend. Named “one of the top five gravel events in the world” by Global Cycling Network, each day gives riders a chance to take on a grueling yet spectacular course through the central part of Idaho. To top it all off, RPI benefits four bike-focused nonprofits, including PeopleForBikes.

What better way to enjoy Vermont’s scenic autumn landscape than by mountain bike? Across 50 hilly miles, riders travel through spectacular fall foliage and gain a total of 8,900 vertical feet. Female participants may opt to race as a two-person bike relay, an alternative designed to encourage higher participation by women.

Ever dreamed of riding your bike alongside the stunning coastline of California or through the red rock cathedrals of Death Valley National Park? Climate Ride organizes charitable events across the world to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation and environmental causes. Choose from over 100 beneficiary organizations—including PeopleForBikes—whether you sign up for an organized event or take on an independent challenge any time throughout the year.

Launched in 2006 with just 34 registrants, the Dirty Kanza now welcomes over 2,000 gravel-grinding enthusiasts, thanks to the growing popularity of the sport. With routes ranging from 25 to 350 miles, this event offers entry-level riders a small taste of the gravel riding experience, while seasoned professionals can tackle a demanding endurance feat through the Flint Hills.

RAGBRAI, more formally known as the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. This rolling celebration of the Hawkeye State brings participants from all over the US, as well as international racers. The course changes every year, but averages 468 miles. Expect to begin somewhere along Iowa’s western border on the Missouri River and pedal through the finish on the state’s eastern border on the Mississippi River.

This uniquely formatted race gives riders of all types the opportunity explore the stunning back country of Utah’s Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest—all while accumulating over 10,000 feet of elevation gain. Featuring a 60/40 split of gravel-to-tarmac sectors, a cyclocross, gravel or mountain bike will get the job done. Though registration has closed for 2019, look out for transfer opportunities in April.

Named one of the best trips by Outside Magazine, the Farm to Fork Fondo series aims to highlight and support the relationship between bike riders, farmers and beautiful landscapes. Participants work up an appetite riding challenging courses through scenic farmland with timed segments, magnificent views and aid stations featuring locally-sourced treats. The 2019 series will visit New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and Kentucky.

Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Sept. 7, 2019)

Started in 1983 by two Utah cyclists, LoToJa was inspired by the difficulty of a one-day European classic bike race like Paris-Roubaix. The 200+ mile course takes riders over three mountain passes through Utah, Idaho and Wyoming and finishes as the base of the rugged Teton mountain range.

This 40-mile, car-free tour begins in Lower Manhattan, travels through the heart of Central Park, over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and finishes in Staten Island. Look forward to musicians, performers and lots of cheering crowds scattered along the route, as well as a special finish line festival to celebrate your effort. Proceeds from the event help fund Bike New York’s free bicycle education programs.

Kalkaska to Traverse City, Michigan (Nov. 2, 2019)

If winter weather doesn’t keep you off your bike, grab your gloves and head to the Great Lakes State this November. This point-to-point mountain bike race consists primarily of dirt roads, two-tracks, abandoned railroad beds and the world-famous Vasa Nordic ski trail. Since 1990, Riders of all ages and experience levels have traveled to this race to enjoy the stunning terrain of the Pere Marquette State Forest.

Are we missing one of your favorite bike events? Be sure to share your must-do rides with us in the comments below or on social media.

A Dozen (Plus One) Bucket List Rides for 2019

Due to the constantly changing dimensions of the COVID-19 crisis, we encourage you to follow all current CDC guidelines as well as local travel advisories and recommendations. Take care of yourselves and loved ones. We’re all in this together.

Cities that score well in Safety have low traffic fatality and injury rates and are places where people feel safe riding a bike. We know that people ride more not only when they are safe, but also when they feel safe. 

We develop our  City Ratings Safety score using  three sources of data. 

Bike and all mode fatality rates. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reports on the number of fatalities associated with motor vehicle traffic crashes across the U.S.  Because the number of fatalities at the city level can vary significantly from year to year, we average fatality rates across a five-year period.

Bike and all mode injury rates. The City Snapshot records the number of type A injuries (incapacitating; requiring ambulance transport) on an annual basis. Focusing on type A injuries provides a standard definition that allows us to compare across cities.

Perceptions of safety. The PlacesForBikes Community Survey measures how people feel about bike riding in their communities. We know that many people won’t get on bikes if they don’t feel safe.

Lawrence has a long history of planning for bicycles, dating all the way back to their first Pedal Plan developed in 1976. Recently, the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP), established in December of 2018, has played a major role in making the city safer for biking.

“The NTMP is a comprehensive program designed specifically to improve the environment and quality of life in Lawrence through driver awareness, management and control of traffic on neighborhood streets,” says Jessica Mortinger, Lawrence’s transportation planning manager. “This comprehensive approach to traffic management should make neighborhoods more comfortable places to walk and bike for all residents.”

The Lawrence Bikes Plan, completed in August of 2019, is also a big player when it comes to safer streets. The plan includes a matrix to help evaluate the level of comfort people have on different bikeways (shared use path, bike lane, etc.) which is then used to shape appropriate infrastructure concepts. The plan also overlaps with the Safe Routes to School Plan, which is working to identify projects that can be used to increase the level of comfort and safety for students biking to school.

Prior to the year 2000, Grand Forks focused primarily on recreational cycling. After a historic flood in 1997, the city shifted during a rebuilding period, constructing a well-connected, shared-use trail system to benefit both recreational riders and commuters.

Grand Forks recognized that early education is key in preparing bike riders for a lifetime of safety on two wheels. Safe Kids Grand Forks, part of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injuries for youths, provide annual safe cycling classes to all Grand Forks third graders.

Grand Forks’ Greenway (built after the flood in ‘97) provides more than 20 miles of off-road paths and trails along both sides of the Red River to move around town — and even into neighboring Minnesota — without ever interacting with vehicular traffic. “The bikeway system provides routes through natural areas featuring rivers, coulees, woodlands and prairies for a diverse landscape setting,” says Stephanie Halford, senior planner for the City of Grand Forks. “Connectivity between residential and business sectors makes choosing cycling for commuter travel easier, safer and much more attainable.”

At PeopleForBikes, we believe we can all do more to grow the cycling community. We’ve been doing the work for nearly 20 years and we want to keep the momentum going. We’re committed to improving inclusiveness in our messaging, broadening the audiences we reach, and increasing our staff diversity. Join us as we learn from various voices in the cycling community. Together, we can turn what we learn into action.

Beth Morford, owner and lead mechanic at Frontier Bikes in Eudora, Kansas, spent a lot of time on bikes before she decided she wanted to learn the ins-and-outs of how they work. So she took one apart — and then put it back together. It was tough — she needed help. Eventually, she found a shop that would teach her how to “wrench” properly. But not before getting turned away by several people who thought she would just get in the way or quit. Now she owns her own shop, and all of her employees are women.

“A lot of people make it really complicated, but it’s not,” Morford says. “Hire women: give them responsibilities, make them visible and heard.” But her shop isn’t just for women, it’s for everyone. And the thing she’s noticed is that when you create a welcoming place for all people, you automatically create loyal customers.

Morford encourages industry events and gatherings to acknowledge women who are doing great things. Recognition goes a long way. Not just for the ones receiving it, but also for those who are observing. People want to reciprocate what others are being rewarded for. She says, “Even where it seems like a small gesture, we can all do more to celebrate and encourage representation.”

“If you’ve already got women working in the shop,” Morford says, “boost their presence and personality. Trust them. Give them more responsibility.” She suggests letting the women in the shop spearhead new programming, lead rides, teach classes, and promote the items they really enjoy. “Let the women take some pride in and control over how the shop is operated. People will take note. The customer base will grow.”

For women and riders of all ages, it comes down to infrastructure. A wider demographic is more likely to ride when they feel safe. Thus, infrastructure projects should always start using an equity lens. Morford says the more that people see others who look like them, the more likely they’ll feel like they belong. “When it comes down to it, inclusiveness is good for business, and good for communities.”

All areas of the industry can do more to put diversity at the forefront of what they’re doing. At PeopleForBikes, we’ve put together some ways that retailers can reach out to an even wider audience, and ultimately get more people on bikes.

How to Grow the Bike Community: 3 Ideas from Bike Shop Owner Beth Morford

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