NEWPORT, R.I., May 2 (UPI) -- Washington came in first in the League of American Bicyclists' ranking of bicycle-friendly states for the sixth consecutive year, the organization said.
Washington led all other states in ratings for the categories of legislation and enforcement, and education and encouragement with scores of 80-100 percent in each category, a release from the League of American Bicyclists said.
The organization evaluated each state in those categories, as well as policies and programs, infrastructure and funding and evaluation and planning. No state scored more than 40-60 percent in the infrastructure and planning category and most were rated at 0-20 percent.
"We're encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon," said League President Andy Clarke. "But as the scores clearly highlight, there's much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state."
Rounding out the Top 10 bicycle-friendly states are, in order, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois and Arizona, the release said.
Delaware made the biggest jump this year, moving into fifth place from 10th last year.
"Creating more walkable and bikeable communities boosts air quality by reducing the amount of time cars and trucks idle on our roadways releasing harmful emissions," said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.
"Biking also helps decongest our transportation system, allowing individuals to spend more time working or relaxing with their families instead of wasting time and money sitting in traffic. The benefits of biking are countless and that's why I'm proud to support dedicated federal funding for biking and walking infrastructure, as well as the efforts of the League of American Bicyclists and others to promote biking as an invaluable piece of the American transportation system," he added.
