The Best Biking Cities In The U.S.

Can you think of a better way to lighten up your carbon footprint and stay fit than biking to work? These cities are most welcoming to bikers, no matter where they're going. Need a ride? Head over to Schwinn.

Chicago, Illinois

Via Flickr: timdorr

When Chicago's last mayor, Richard J. Daley took office, he vowed to make the city the most bicycle-friendly city in the U.S. He successfully founded the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council to encourage cycling in the city, which in addition to the miles of dedicated bike lanes, indoor bike parking and numerous city-sponsored bike events make Chicago one of the best cities to bike in.

Boulder, Colorado

David Fulmer / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

In addition to its miles of scenic trails through the beautiful wilderness surrounding Boulder, 95% of the city itself is equipped with bike-friendly roads.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Though cold temperatures and snow might deter some cyclists, Minneapolis remains a city that embraces its bikes with indoor and outdoor facilities, including convenient parking inside many buildings to shield bikes from the elements.

Eugene, Oregon

Zach Dischner / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

The city of Eugene has several programs which focus on educating and enabling safe cycling through its city. Abundant bike parking solutions and lit bike paths add to the ease of bike riding in Eugene.

Boston, Massachusetts

Rob Larsen / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Until the implementation of the 2007 Boston Bikes initiative, Boston was not known as a bike-friendly city. Now, the city offers dozens of miles of bikes lanes, hundreds of bike racks and a bike-sharing program called the Hubway, which accumulated 100,000 rides in its first 10 weeks last year.

St. Petersburg, Florida

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With its warm climate and its breezy waterfront bike trails, St. Petersburg is a great city for casual and competitive cyclists alike. Bike rentals are also widely available, most notably near the famous 38 mile Pinellas Trail which begins in town.

San Francisco, California

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According to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, ridership in the city jumped by 53% between 2007 and 2010 and continues to grow. City buses are equipped with outside bike racks for easy transportation and the regional train system Caltrain boasts the most extensive bicycle access program among passenger railroads in the nation.

Austin, TX

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Lance Armstrong's hometown is a hub of cycling culture with many bike shops and bike-friendly trails sprinkled throughout the city. Austin also offers a great community for cyclists, most notably with the Yellow Bike Project, a shop which offers affordable bikes for sale along with build-yourself and fix-yourself tutorials by volunteers on site.

New York City, New York

Gerald Rich / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

The country's first bike path ever was developed in New York City in 1894 and the city's cyclist community has grown each year since. The city offers numerous bike lanes throughout its streets and bridge systems and flat terrain makes it easy to travel from borough to borough.

Madison, Wisconsin

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Madison holds an annual Bike To Work Week which includes many fun events for participants such as an art bike parade. Numerous trails and accessible bike lanes, as well as bike rental options make exploring Madison on two wheels a popular option for visitors.