American cities are building better bicycle networks, evidenced by a rise in the average ratings issued annually by a national advocacy organization.
Across all U.S. cities, the average score in PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings increased from 25 to 36. This year, 555 cities scored 50 or higher on a scale of 0-100, up from 234 in 2025, with 137 of those new to the program. More than 3,000 cities participated in the annual ratings.
The Boulder, Colorado-based advocacy organization, now in its ninth year issuing the report, uses the Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA) to examine how well local bike networks connect people to destinations and services.
Cities are scored on a scale of 0 to 100 and grouped by population (small, less than 50,000; medium between 50,000 and 300,000; and, large, more than 300,000).
The report noted “8 Cities to Watch,” which are investing in the infrastructure, partnerships, and policies that “move the needle for making biking safer and more accessible.” The eight cities cited were Atlanta; Baltimore; Billings, Montana; Charlotte; Lincoln, Nebraska; Mill Valley, California; Tampa; and, West Hollywood, California.
Read the full City Ratings report here.