Report Ranks Bike-Friendly States

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The most bike-friendly states in the country were Washington, Minnesota and Deleware, while the least bike-friendly was Alabama, according to a new report by The League of American Bicyclists. 

The non-profit group has advocated for safe roads and bike-friendly communities since 1880. In its latest report they surveyed each state’s bicycle coordinator in five categories: legislation and enforcement, policies and programs, infrastructure and funding, education and encouragement, and evaluation and planning.

Massachussets, Utah and Oregon also scored well in the survey. Other states that scored poorly were Kentucky, Kansas and Nebraska.

The rankings come on the heels of a report by the Governors Highway Safety Commission showing bicycling deaths on highways increased 16 percent from 2010 to 2012. Considering the bike-friendly ratings against these numbers is especially telling.

California, which typically has the most cyclists killed in motor collisions was ranked 8 in the country for bike-friendliness, while Florida – another state with high cyclist deaths ranked 24 in the nation. 

For an interactive map of the bike-friendly state rankings click here.