Brooklyn bumps Minneapolis out of No. 1 spot for city biking

Brooklyn surpassed Minneapolis as the top big city for biking in the latest PeopleForBikes report, with St. Paul following in sixth place. Urban planners, including Minneapolis' Alex Schieferdecker, explained that a methodological shift influenced the rankings, asserting that Minneapolis' biking infrastructure is still improving. Ongoing projects like the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue aim to enhance safety and accessibility for cyclists. Although the overall score for Minneapolis did not change drastically, both cities received the lowest marks in bike access to transit, linked to limited destinations and delays in projects like the Southwest light-rail.

St. Paul’s high ranking is attributed to its residential streets, which provide a comfortable biking environment. However, some critics argue that this ranking may not accurately reflect the efforts of current planners and engineers. Advocates call for further improvements to the biking infrastructure to build on existing successes. A comprehensive bike share program in Minnesota is also considered vital for enhancing the cycling culture in the region.