Portland knocked out of #1 spot for bike-friendly cities - slide show included

In a press release this morning I read that Portland has just been bumped off the number one spot for the most bike-friendly city in Bicycling Magazine‘s biannual list. We’ve enjoyed that position for years of Home and Living in Portland, and now we’re suddenly displaced? Sadly, we can no longer call ourselves Bike City.

Minneapolis, Minnesota is the culprit. Yes, with their 127 miles of on- and off-road biking facilities (and 83 of those are the off-road trails) and their having more bike parking facilities per capita than any other US city. In June they’ll have the largest bike-share program in the country and - this isn’t even fair - they have indoor bike parking amenities, and even more bicycling amenities. They also take pride in having to ride in severely cold winter weather.

The top five bike-friendly cities are:

• Minneapolis, MN
• Portland, OR
• Boulder, CO
• Seattle, WA
• Eugene, OR

Other big cities that are changing to compete for the title and accommodate their growing biking communities are literally rearranging their streets and laws. It’s good to see so many going for biking all around the country.

Yes, Minneapolis can have the title this year. But, Portland has a great bike plan being enacted as you read this and in 2030 nobody will be able to touch us, with an estimated 25% of our commuters on bikes. However, we’ll be taking our title back next year, so don’t get used to it, Minneapolis.

We’ll be Home and Living in Portland, and we’re going to keep our eye on you.

Don’t forget to look at the slide show below, Portland, where your bike might have caught our cameraman’s eye.