HOW BICYCLE FRIENDLY STATES ARE RANKED 1-50
The League annually ranks all fifty states for bicycle friendliness. We do this based on a multi-faceted Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) questionnaire that is answered by each state’s Bicycle Coordinator. The data collected – based on 95 questions, across six categories – is verified by League staff in concert with advocates in each state. States that continue to promote bicycling and improve conditions can expect to improve their scores. The BFS program and rankings system work to increase the level of bicycle-friendliness in each state, therefore hopefully increasing their ranking, and to provide the incentives and assistance to states. Our BFS annual ranking measures to the best of our degree the states bicycle-friendliness but does not include everything states can and should do for bicycling. This ranking is designed to rank each state objectively and establishe best practices for others to follow. However, every state has great riding opportunities, dedicated state-agency staff, determined advocates and cyclists of all stripes working to make a great state for cycling.
A new aspect to the BFS program for 2010 is a category grade level. These grades provide more clarity on a state's strengths and weaknesses in six categories: legislation, programs and policies, infrastructure, and education and encouragement. The League provides feedback to every state's DOT, and advocates, on specific items that are shown to be successful in other states and that can work for their state. The BFS ranking process illustrates general performance needs. Traditionally, the BFS rankings show that there are fantastic efforts to emulate and there is still a lot of work to be done to increase bicycle-friendliness in states from the bottom to the top of the BFS ranked list.
CATEGORIES
Legislation: The Legislation component of the Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) ranking questionnaire covers basic laws and regulations that govern bicycling. Questions include whether cyclists can legally use the shoulder, signal turns with either hand or leave the right-hand portion of the road when their safety requires it. This section also covers motorist responsibilities like passing at a minimum of three feet and making sure traffic is clear before opening automobile doors.
Programs & Policies: The Programs & Policies component of the BFS questionnaire covers what state agency requirements are for accommodating cyclists, be it a Complete Streets policy, a plan or agreement for mountain bike trails, how much state agency staff time is dedicated to bicycling, and whether or not bicycling is included as part of the state’s carbon-reduction plan.
Infrastructure: Infrastructure is a critical element of the BFS questionnaire, and the question aim at collecting data on specific performance measurements, i.e. in the amount of facilities and spending amounts for bicycling. Other examples include the percentage of state highways with shoulders, signed bike routes, trail miles, and bicycle-related project obligation rates for available federal funding. As states improve their numbers for many of the BFS questions, the bar will continue to rise for states in regards to bicycle-friendliness.
Education and Encouragement: In the Education and Encouragement portion of the BFS questionnaire, the section covers the amount of bicycling education in the state for adults and youth alike, as well as for motorists. A few ways that states can educate drivers on the road about cycling, for example, are Share the Road campaigns and questions concerning cyclists’ rights in state drivers’ exams. States can encourage more and better bicycling by promoting bicycling tourism, producing bike maps and collaborating with state and local advocacy groups, along with education efforts.
The Evaluation & Planning: The Evaluation & Planning section of the BFS questionnaire surveys how bicycling is incorporated into each state’s yearly planning. Questions include how bicycling is included in the highway safety plan, outdoor recreation plan or a bicycle transportation plan. This section also measures results of the state’s crash and bike commuting rates.
Enforcement: The Enforcement section the BFS questionnaire gathers data on the types of training law enforcement officers and traffic court judges receive to ensure protection of cyclists’ rights to the road and safe travel on our shared roadways.
The BFC National Advisory Group provides guidance on BFS program development and priorities. Members include:
Tim Blumenthal, Bikes Belong Coalition
Natalie Cappuccio-Britt, Palmetto Conservation Foundation
Ariadne Delon Scott, Stanford University
Tom Huber, Wisconsin DOT
Rob Sadowsky, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Jeff Olson, Alta Planning+Design
Robert Ping, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Tim Potter, Michigan State University
Jim Sebastian, DC Office of Transportation Planning
Sarah Strunk, Active Living By Design
Jennifer Toole, Toole Design Group
Zoe Kircos, Bikes Belong Coalition
Alan Turnbull, National Park Service
Dru van Hengel, City of Santa Barbara
Jill Van Winkle, International Mountain Bike Association
Robbie Webber, Bike Walk Madison
Charlie Zegeer, Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center
