PeopleForBikes' 2026 City Ratings measure how easily and safely people can reach the places they need to go by bike in more than 3,000 cities across the U.S. In addition to connected bike networks and high City Ratings scores, great cities for biking are also home to programs and organizations breaking down barriers for young riders to learn how to bike, stick with it through school, and carry the habit into adulthood.

That's where the Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC) comes in. A network of 18 organizations convened by PeopleForBikes, the YCC works together to expand access to riding opportunities for kids nationwide and supports young riders from their first pedal strokes through high school graduation. Several YCC partner organizations are hard at work in cities that also rank among the best for biking in our 2026 City Ratings, proving that safe streets and strong youth programming go hand in hand.

Here's a look at five cities boasting strong City Ratings scores and the youth cycling organizations helping build their next generation of riders.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2026 City Ratings Score: 54

Six Philadelphia schools are currently home to Outride programming, integrating the organization's Riding for Focus (R4F) curriculum directly into the school day. Founded in 2014, Outride works to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling, with R4F providing schools with bikes, helmets, and a ready-to-teach program that helps kids ride confidently and regularly. According to Outride, 89% of R4F teachers report students being more attentive and focused after participating in the program, and 83% of R4F teachers report improved student attendance and engagement in class.

Charlotte, North Carolina | 2026 City Ratings Score: 36

Charlotte earned a spot on PeopleForBikes' 2026 Cities to Watch list thanks to major recent infrastructure investments, and the city is also ensuring youth cycling doesn’t fall behind. The North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League, part of NICA, has several teams in the greater Charlotte area, offering middle and high school students a route into mountain biking that builds character and community alongside bike-handling skills.

Portland, Oregon | 2026 City Ratings Score: 55

Portland is the birthplace of one of the most influential youth cycling movements in the country. Local teacher Sam Balto launched the now-famous Alameda Elementary School bike bus in 2022, drawing well over 100 kids each week and sparking a nationwide movement. Bike Bus World, the organization Balto co-founded, is on a mission to transform the well-being of children, communities, and the climate through biking together to school. Portland now has roughly two dozen bike buses citywide, and the model has spread far beyond city limits.

Minneapolis, Minnesota | 2026 City Ratings Score: 68

Founded in 2008 in a Minneapolis garage that gave away 250 bikes to kids in need, Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) has grown into the largest bike-giveaway organization in the country, now operating affiliates in multiple states nationwide. Providing bicycles to children who otherwise could not afford one, FB4K is opening doors to healthier lifestyles, stronger social connections, and improved access to education.

Boulder, Colorado | 2026 City Ratings Score Score: 66

Launched in 2014 as the mentoring organization expanded beyond its Vermont birthplace, the Boulder chapter of Little Bellas brings together girls ages 7 and older with female mentors to use mountain biking as a vehicle to teach the importance of teamwork, goal-setting, and fostering a healthy lifestyle. More than a decade later, Little Bellas continues to give girls in Boulder a welcoming, non-competitive way to build skills and confidence on the trails surrounding their well-connected city.

Building Safe Places to Ride, for Every Age and Ability

Every city on this list proves the same point: the best places to bike aren't just good for people riding bikes now — they're also focused on shaping a brighter future for the riders of tomorrow.

PeopleForBikes - SPRINT

But in order to continue biking into adulthood, today’s youth need safe and connected places to ride. That's why PeopleForBikes developed our SPRINT principles, six factors that can help any community improve their City Ratings scores. By prioritizing safe speeds, protected lanes, reallocated street space, intersection treatments, network connections, and trusted data, cities of all sizes can create safe, low-stress networks that work for riders of all ages and abilities. That includes kids just learning to ride as well as teenagers riding to and from school or their local trails for NICA practice.

Youth Cycling Coalition partners are doing the on-the-ground work of putting more kids on bikes. PeopleForBikes' City Ratings gives cities the data and roadmap to make sure those kids have somewhere safe to ride. Together, we’re building a pipeline of lifelong riders and cities that are great places to bike for decades to come.

Explore your city's 2026 City Ratings score at cityratings.peopleforbikes.org and learn more about the Youth Cycling Coalition at youthcyclingcoalition.org.

Meet the Great Cities for Biking Investing in Youth Riders

Every year, PeopleForBikes' City Ratings evaluates how effectively communities connect people to the places they want to go by bike. Access to jobs, healthcare, shopping, recreation, transit, and education all play a role in determining how well a city’s bike network serves the people who rely on it.

However, one destination category stands out from the rest: schools.

At first glance, school access may seem like just another metric within the Bicycle Network Analysis, the data model that powers City Ratings. But it might be one of the most important indicators of a community's long-term bicycling success.

Why? Because a city where a child can safely ride to school is doing more than connecting students to a classroom. It's creating opportunities for independence, physical activity, and lifelong riding habits. In many ways, it is investing in the future of bicycling itself.

Research consistently shows that people are more likely to ride when safe, connected infrastructure exists close to home. By connecting schools to neighborhoods through low-stress bike networks, cities create opportunities for young people to experience transportation independence at an early age. Those experiences can then set the stage for a lifetime of healthy bicycling habits while also making riding more visible and normal for the broader community. 

PeopleForBikes has seen firsthand the impact communities experience when young people have more opportunities to ride bikes. As the convener of the Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC), PeopleForBikes collaborates with national youth organizations working every day to help young people discover the benefits of bicycling. From learn-to-ride programs and bike buses to school-based mountain bike teams and after-school clubs, these organizations are helping kids build confidence, develop skills, and find joy through the bicycle.

But even the best youth programs depend on a larger community ecosystem. 

“The cool thing about bike buses is that they don’t require perfect city infrastructure,” said Sam Balto, founder of Bike Bus World. “But it’s evident that communities with better bicycling infrastructure see higher rates of rider retention after the coordinated event concludes because there are safe places to continue riding your bike.”

That is why City Ratings and the Bicycle Network Analysis are so valuable. They give communities a clear picture of where safe, connected bike networks exist today and where improvements will make the biggest difference. PeopleForBikes encourages everyone to learn more about their city’s score and use that information to start conversations with local leaders about improving access to schools by bike. 

How to see the connectivity of neighborhoods surrounding local schools:

Under the “Stress Network” dropdown, click “Census Blocks by BNA Score” then “Apply”

Under the “Destinations” dropdown, click “Schools” then “Apply”

Identify your local city administrator and/or planning director 

Ask how school connectivity fits into your city’s comprehensive plan 

Encourage local leaders and elected officials to prioritize low-stress bike routes that connect neighborhoods to schools and other everyday destinations.

The future of bicycling starts with the next generation of riders. One of the best ways to support those riders, and the future of bicycling, is by ensuring they can safely reach one of the most important destinations in their lives — school.

Why the Ride to School Matters More Than You Think

As a father of three young kids, I’ve witnessed the joy that comes from bike rides to school. The kids pop out of bed early in anticipation of the morning ride, they're chatty as we slowly pedal through our neighborhood, and they call out to their friends with pride as they roll up to school under their own power. It’s a stark contrast to when drop off is done by car.

On May 6, kids across the country will have a similar experience as they participate in National Bike and Roll to School Day, an event led by the National Center for Safe Routes to School. Schools across the country are organizing group rides, bike buses, and skill-building events to make it easier and safer for students to ride. If your school is interested in joining, you can register your event to be added to the national map of Bike and Roll festivities.

But getting kids to ride to school on one day a year isn’t the end goal. The real opportunity is what happens next. When riding feels safe, fun, and accessible, families start to choose it more often because it adds real value to their daily lives.

So what does it take to make that possible?

As a parent, I know there are a lot of factors that go into deciding how my kids get to school, but one stands out above the rest: safety. PeopleForBikes participation research shows that 62% of Americans would ride more often if safe, connected infrastructure separated them from cars.

Everyone who has commuted by bike knows that your trip usually isn’t defined by the best part of your commute, but the worst part. If there is even one segment that feels unsafe or unrideable, it ruins the experience and will make you rethink taking that route again.

That’s why at PeopleForBikes we firmly believe that to grow youth ridership, we need to continue focusing on infrastructure that connects kids to the places they want to go — school, parks, ice cream, and more!

Our team is working diligently to improve the future of bicycling by creating the systems to accelerate the construction of safe places to ride. Key programs like City Ratings and the Great Bike Infrastructure Project help identify network gaps as well as projects coming down the pipeline that can improve those networks.

This critical infrastructure won’t fund itself, which is why PeopleForBikes continues to advocate for federal, state, and local funding. Congress is expected to release a major federal infrastructure bill in the coming weeks, and PeopleForBikes has lobbied lawmakers for months to ensure this bill includes funding for safe places for kids to ride.  At the state and local level, PeopleForBikes is supporting more than 100 bills and ballot initiatives across the country to help communities build the types of networks that families trust.

That work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Partners like the Safe Routes Partnership are helping communities create safer pathways for kids to get to school, while organizations like IMBA are expanding access to trails and off-road riding opportunities. Together, these efforts are building the safe and connected networks that make riding possible in the first place.

Another important piece of this ride-to-school puzzle is the programming that’s taking place in communities across the country to give kids the confidence, skills, and exposure they need to ride more often. The goal isn’t just for kids to ride to school, but to use the bike as a freedom machine to get wherever they want to go.

Over the last several years, a group of youth-focused organizations has collaborated to help accelerate that work. The Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC) includes 18 national organizations working to support riders from their first ride through high school graduation. As the convener of the YCC, PeopleForBikes is dedicated to connecting these organizations, aligning their efforts, and helping more kids access the programs that build confidence on a bike.

Supporting this programming will develop the next generation of riders by connecting them to opportunities to learn how to ride, practice their skills, and gain the confidence to navigate their communities by bike. Whether it’s learning to balance for the first time, riding in a group with friends, or participating in a bike bus to school, these experiences help turn a one-time ride into a regular habit.

To better understand how these programs compliment one another, we recently developed a Youth Cycling Coalition Program Diagram that illustrates how organizations across the coalition support youth at different stages of their rider journey. From first ride to riding independently to school and beyond, the pathway is clearer and more inclusive than ever.

For families looking to get started, the Youth Cycling Coalition map serves as a national entry point to find local riding opportunities. Regardless of what type of riding your kids like to do, the map helps connect kids to the people and places that make riding possible.

I’ve personally experienced the transformative impact the bicycle can have on one person’s life. Now, I’m excited my kids' generation will have the opportunity to experience that same shift in how they see and interact with the world.

Photo courtesy of the Barkeater Trails Alliance

The Adirondacks are famous for their rugged peaks and protected wilderness, but that same protection has meant limited access for mountain biking, especially for beginners, kids, and adaptive riders. In Keene, New York, the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) is working to overcome those challenges while showing what’s possible when a community invests in bike infrastructure that’s designed for everyone. With support from a PeopleForBikes grant, BETA is building a trail system in the High Peaks region that prioritizes progression, accessibility, and inclusion — while also bringing new energy to the local outdoor economy.

Building Mountain Bike Trails for All Ages and Abilities

In June 2025, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the opening of “Duzzi,” a new enduro-style trail at the East Branch Community Trails. The trail adds a challenge for experienced riders while seamlessly connecting to a growing network designed to serve a much broader audience. That range is intentional.

“Access to a wide variety of options is crucial for a diverse riding community,” says Megan Gorss, outreach coordinator at BETA. “We strive to offer enjoyable, high quality trails for all manner of riders on all manner of bikes.”

That wasn’t always the case in the Adirondacks. Early mountain bike trails in the region were often rugged, technical, and built by and for experienced riders. “As the sport and BETA’s influence have grown, we’ve expanded the kind of trails we build to include designs that appeal more to a wider range of riders,” says Gorss.

At East Branch, that shift is visible on the ground. Riders can now choose between smooth, approachable trails that build confidence and more technical features that offer progression over time. It’s a network that meets people wherever they are in their biking journey and gives them a reason to keep coming back.

Designing for adaptive riders has pushed that thinking even further. “When it comes to designing a trail system that can accommodate both adaptive and traditional bikes, our biggest challenge as folks who ride traditional bikes has been understanding the riding experience of folks on adaptive bikes,” notes Gorss. By working closely with adaptive riding experts from the Kelly Brush Foundation, BETA has been able to refine key elements like trail width and slope — small design decisions that make a big difference in who can ride.

How Local Advocacy Turned Into Real Trails

Projects like this don’t start with construction; they start with people. “Grassroots advocacy and local engagement have been absolutely key for these projects at every step,” Gorss says.

In Keene, the push began with the Keene Youth Commission, which helped shape a vision for trails that would serve families, young riders, and people returning to biking after time away or an injury. That early advocacy carried through into construction. Community members didn’t just support the project, they helped build it. “With each phase of construction, the people of Keene and surrounding areas have been the lifeblood of building and maintaining trails that provide a uniquely accessible riding experience,” says Gorss. Today, that community ownership is part of what makes East Branch work so well. The trails reflect what people actually wanted and needed.

Building bike trails in the Adirondacks isn’t simple. The region’s “forever wild” protections are essential to preserving its landscapes, but they can also make new trail development challenging. “‘Forever wild’ is sanctified within our state constitution. It is a double-edged sword, providing a powerful framework to protect the wild lands that make this park so special, but oftentimes making trail development an arduous process,” says Gorss.

That’s where partnerships and good information matter. PeopleForBikes supports projects like this not just through funding but also with data, policy guidance, and other resources that help local leaders understand where biking is allowed and where access can expand. In places like the Adirondacks, that clarity can help communities move forward with confidence.

At East Branch, success came from aligning local advocates, town leadership, county officials, and state agencies around a shared goal. According to Gorss, “It was a great puzzle– many interlocking, interdependent pieces that together created something new, something needed, something incredible.”

The East Branch Community Trails have been built in phases, each one expanding who the system serves. The first phase created a foundation of multi-use trails, while the second improved connectivity and flow. Now, with support from PeopleForBikes and other partners, the third phase is adding a skills loop, progression features, and new trail experiences that continue to broaden access. That steady progress depends on consistent investment. “With multiple sources of funds, including a grant from PeopleForBikes, we never had to wonder if we’d be able to afford the next phase of development,” says Gorss.

What Inclusive Bike Infrastructure Looks Like in Practice

The impact of East Branch is already showing up in the people who use it. The trail network has quickly become a go-to place for beginners, families, and riders returning after injury. One rider shared how meaningful that experience was after recovering from cancer: “I rode the new trail at the East Branch system for the first time this past summer. I have had to take a break from biking for a bit due to fighting cancer. I won and am back to doing some gentle riding. Getting out into the woods felt healing and my pretty out of shape body was so thankful for the switchbacks and the downhill cruise was bliss, I rode with a grin! Grateful.”

Others describe it as a place where the whole family can ride together: “My family and I love the EBCT because there is something for everyone in our growing family. This trail network is the perfect place to introduce someone to the sport of mountain biking! The cherry on top is the great gathering area for where food, drinks, and fun is enjoyed!”

And for riders adapting to physical limitations, access to smoother, more forgiving terrain can be the difference between riding and not riding at all: “I’ve ridden the East Branch trails several times with my friend who, due to a terrible accident many years ago, can only ride our hilly terrain using an e-bike. His injuries prevent him from riding rugged terrain found elsewhere in the BETA network. The East Branch trail network allows us to continue experiencing our shared love of the sport together.”

BETA’s long-term vision is a 7-mile trail system, including a bike skills park designed to welcome riders of all abilities and create a stronger sense of community around biking. But the bigger story is what this project represents. “In short: we hope to see more people on bikes,” says Gorss. “The outdoors are for everyone. Bikes are freedom machines.”

That idea — simple, yet powerful — is something any community can act on. With the right mix of local leadership, community advocacy, thoughtful design, and targeted investment, it’s possible to create bike infrastructure that not only serves existing riders but also welcomes entirely new ones.

That’s what PeopleForBikes is working to support across the country — and what our supporters make possible.

Explore more bike infrastructure and trail projects across the U.S. with PeopleForBikes’ Bike Project Tracker and learn how your community can expand safe, inclusive places to ride by using our free Recreational Bicycling Access Tool.

Adaptive and Youth-Friendly Mountain Bike Trails Are Growing in the Adirondacks

At PeopleForBikes, we believe that when communities and the bike industry work together, big things happen. In Payson, Arizona, a powerful partnership between national brands, local champions, and a committed nonprofit created a thriving model for youth cycling and community recreation that can be replicated in towns across the country.

Payson’s story began as a spark from local leaders and Wheel Fun, a local nonprofit with a mission to create community, improve mental and physical health, and cultivate a love for the outdoors for underserved rural Arizona youth through free mountain biking programs. It soon evolved into a district-wide cycling ecosystem, complete with bike clubs, school-based classes, a flagship skills park, and hands-on technical career training. At every step, industry leaders from SRAM, Trek, Shimano, Giant, and Outride worked alongside educators and local visionaries to build something truly special.

The Payson Unified School District is quickly becoming a national leader in school-based cycling programs, with its rapid growth fueled by Wheel Fun, which operates more than 48 after-school bike programs across Arizona. In 2022, Wheel Fun expanded its mission by building bike skills parks directly on school properties. Their fourth project included the Longhorn Bike Skills Park at Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) in Payson, which opened in April 2024, the first of its kind in Gila County.

Sponsored by the Trek Foundation, the Longhorn Bike Skills Park was designed with progression at its core. Its 2,500 linear feet of trails weave through natural terrain, offering climbing lines, beginner and intermediate features, a skills area, and a pump track. Riders can practice berms, kickers, skinnies, and other foundational mountain bike skills in a controlled environment built for safety and growth. Built entirely with donated funds, the park also serves as a community amenity accessible to all when school is not in session — another intentional design choice to support residents, families, and riders of all ages.

Now, the Trek Trails at the bike park are only one part of Payson’s larger cycling movement. Thanks to industry support in the form of bicycles provided by Trek, Giant, and Specialized, alongside Wheel Fun’s ongoing support and curriculum, the Payson School District now offers:

Outdoor Adventure Club, sponsored by Wheel Fun, introduces students to trails, teamwork, and safe riding.

An Outride Riding for Focus program integrated directly into PE programming, giving even more students access to bicycles and structured riding.

A new Adventure Education class, where students build skills on bikes and learn outdoor fundamentals like orienteering.

Project Bike Tech, introduced at the high school level, provides hands-on bicycle repair and career training, supported by numerous industry partners.

A new Elementary School Bike Club at Julia Randall Elementary, launched by Wheel Fun, provides bikes, helmets, and gear and offers 3rd–5th grade students trail rides from campus, structured skills development, and regular rides to the Longhorn Bike Park, ensuring early, barrier-free access to cycling.

A growing NICA program with the Payson School District is expanding competitive youth mountain biking opportunities.

With these new courses and offerings, enrollment continues to grow, with more than 55 students expected to complete the course in its first year. Additionally, Wheel Fun’s student surveys show measurable improvements in fitness, focus, confidence, and overall well-being. Nearly 70% of participating students said they “strongly” want to return next year.

When the district lacked funding for an instructor for the Project Bike Tech program, Wheel Fun stepped in again — hiring local mechanic Mac Vorce and sending him to Colorado Springs for formal training. The program is already paying dividends. As students gain real-world technical experience, the school saves an estimated $1,500 per semester by repairing its bikes in-house, and graduates can earn a certificate qualifying them as official bike technicians — a significant step in a town with no bike shop, making Project Bike Tech an especially instrumental addition.

Payson’s progress shows what’s possible when the bike industry invests in community-led efforts. SRAM, Trek, Shimano, Giant, and Outride didn’t just write checks — they helped build programs, troubleshoot challenges, and stay engaged as true partners. Local leaders and educators provided the vision. Wheel Fun brought expertise and consistency. Together, they created a sustainable recreation ecosystem that benefits the entire community.

Payson’s story is more than a local success — it’s a roadmap. When the industry shows up, collaborates, and invests in the places where people live, ride, and learn, we can create meaningful access to recreation for every child in every community nationwide.

The future of bicycling starts in your own backyard.

Own Your Backyard: How Industry Partnerships Transformed Youth Cycling in Payson, Arizona

PeopleForBikes is proud to support the Bicycle Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act, recently introduced by Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. This bipartisan legislation aims to make bike safety education a standard part of youth learning nationwide — helping kids develop safe riding skills, build confidence on a bike, and create safer roads for everyone.

Why the BIKE Act Matters for Youth Bike Safety and Safer Roads

Teaching bike safety early gives young people the skills and habits they need to navigate our streets confidently and responsibly. This bill could not come at a more critical time — since 2010, bicyclist fatalities in the U.S. have risen by 87%, with recent data showing that 1,106 riders were killed in 2024, a record high. In order to combat these staggering figures, we need to use every tool available to improve safety and save lives. 

The BIKE Act will expand certain National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) federal grant funding to include bike safety education in two ways:

National Priority Safety Programs (Section 405)

NHTSA’s National Priority Safety Programs provide grant funding to states for specific road safety measures. Current law allows these funds to be used for occupant protection, impaired driving countermeasures, motorcyclist safety, and other purposes. The BIKE Act would explicitly add “providing on-bicycle education to elementary school and secondary school students” as an eligible use of funds.

State and Community Safety Grants Program (Section 402) 

NHTSA’s State and Community Safety Grants Program provides grant funding to states for broader, multifaceted state highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes and prevent deaths. The BIKE Act directs NHTSA to update its guidance to clarify that bike safety education is an eligible use of funds and encourage states to utilize these funds for this purpose.  

Congress is at the early stages of crafting the next federal surface transportation bill to reauthorize federal funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems. Congress must pass that bill before current funding programs expire September 2026. The broader surface transportation reauthorization package is the best opportunity for the BIKE Act to become public law. 

By passing the BIKE Act, Congress can take a meaningful step toward safer streets, healthier communities, and a lifelong love of bicycling for the next generation. Together, we can make safe riding skills as fundamental as reading and math.

“The BIKE Act protects our kids and empowers them to explore their communities with confidence,” said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. “By expanding access to bike safety education and resources, we’re helping the next generation build lifelong skills and fall in love with the simple joy of riding. We’re grateful to Representative Magaziner and Representative Buchanan for helping ensure that every child can discover the pure joy, freedom, and confidence that comes from riding a bike.”

“The Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC) strongly supports the BIKE Act, which directly advances our mission to ensure every child can access and experience the lifelong benefits of bicycling,” said Esther Walker, executive director of Outride and co-chair of the YCC. “By making bike education eligible for federal safety funding through NHTSA, this bill empowers communities to embed bicycling into daily life and continue growing youth participation in riding.” 

Contact your members of congress and encourage them to support the BIKE Act. If you would like assistance, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org.

Bipartisan BIKE Act Introduced to Expand Youth Bike Education Nationwide

Topics

Youth Bicycling

PeopleForBikes at Work on Youth Bicycling

News

Meet the Great Cities for Biking Investing in Youth Riders

Why the Ride to School Matters More Than You Think

Rebuilding the Ride to School

Adaptive and Youth-Friendly Mountain Bike Trails Are Growing in the Adirondacks

Own Your Backyard: How Industry Partnerships Transformed Youth Cycling in Payson, Arizona

Bipartisan BIKE Act Introduced to Expand Youth Bike Education Nationwide