Redfin’s Walk Score released its list of most bike-friendly cities for cyclists in the country in 2018 this week, and metro areas that protect their cyclists and improve their navigational options are reaping the rewards. According to the study, which evaluated cities based on bike lanes, hills, destinations, rode connectivity, and bike share options, analysts were able to better score metro areas this year than ever before thanks to new infrastructure data enabling them to identify not just bike lanes, but also bike paths and sharrows (designated shared-lanes for bikes and cars).
“This update is the most accurate measure of bike-ability we have ever created,” said Walk Score co-founder and Redfin senior vice president Matt Lerner.
Walk- and bike-ability scores are gaining importance as more households look for alternative methods of transit to recreation and entertainment even as they retain their cars for commutes to work. According to National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) analyst Robert Dietz, “Large numbers of homebuyers [are] looking for medium-density residential neighborhoods, such as urban villages that offer walkable environments and other amenities.” Cities that make a conscious effort to make their roads bike-friendly tend toward populations with these preferences.
According to Walk Score, the top three bike-friendliest cities in the country are:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Portland, Oregon
- Chicago, Illinois
Investor Insight:
As more developers and homeowners look for areas with walkable/bikeable environments, these cities could experience rising popularity with homebuyers.
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