Ya, when I found out that I was spending an average of $700 a month for my 2007 Scion tC that I had bought used over the course of my 6 year payment plan, I realized that if I were to just add $700 to whatever I could afford before, that would open up a lot more options for me. Before that, I was stuck in car brain, frustrated that all the places I could actually afford had no off-street parking. Now, I specifically seek out apartments with no car included off-street parking because I don't want to pay (in my rent) for things I won't use.
@@jody024 I live in what has to be the most car focused city in canada and it is possible, but damn if everyone here says it isnt. nothings for free though you have to change your lifestyle, and I think that's the real issue, nobody wants to move from their current house, but as it happens, you can't live in your SFH community and enjoy a walkable community because they are contradictory.
I live in Minneapolis. Got rid of my car and bike everywhere - I love it! We’re also taking steps to increase housing supply by reducing parking minimums, up zoning, etc.
Left the USA 8 years ago. Cycling is 1 of my top 5 reason to not come back. Obviously I think about coming back because I’m watching this video, but 8 years of no car commuting has been amazing and not something I’m willing to lose.
I’m a transportation plangineer, and I can tell you that these bike network plans mean very little. They’re often treated as a virtue signal to avoid truly spending bike infrastructure and instead just act as though they’re working deciding where to build bike lanes, even though they could do that without a consultant. These master plans cost far less than engineering design and construction of even quick-build bike lanes.
As a Pittsburgher I can say that our master plan might not be moving as fast as I'd like, but it's definitely being put into effect. You can tell because of all of the old yinzers complaining constantly about cyclists and calling the former mayor "Bike Lane Bill" as if that's a bad thing.
I'm from Hayward CA and after getting me involved in City Council meetings I realized exactly what you said. It's sad but it seems like the only way to make this happen is to require bike infrastructure by law. They always make so many excuses for not building protected bike lanes that I'm really tired of it
Alec, Good the see your comment. Years ago I changed my major from urban planning to computer science once I saw that urban planning was a method of packing more cars into a limited space so people could spend & waste more.
As a German living in a southern part rural area I'm really thankful that my county decided to built bikeways next to side roads or highways over the past 20 years. We have a really good net of bike lanes nowadays and I'm often surprised how fast between two spots I can cycle. Hopefully the idea will be also taken into consideration into the cities. Often they are still really car-centric, full of traffic jams and polluted. Thanks to our allmighty car-lobby.
Indeed, I was thinking back to some areas in southern around Freiberg in the Black Forest and was thinking that even without bikeways many smaller cities and towns would be comfortable if not ideal for cycle transportation when compared to the US.
@@jackoneil3933 I'm living in Franconia. We're not having this large differences in altitudes, so most villages can be reached comfortably. I agree with you. Since Germany is in most areas densely populated a lot of traffice could be managed by bikes.
I'm glad the US isn't the only country with an Almighty car lobby! Many places just want to switch to electric cars, but what we need is more bikes and free fast and safe public transportation worldwide.
@@eveastardust3747 Indeed... Is there any place in the world with 'fast and free public transportation? Having lived in Tokyo, public transportation is usually convenient if you live within comfortable walking distance of a train station but it's not always fast and and can be pretty expensive. To travel from my home about 15 miles from central Tokyo used to take a 20min walk to the station, a 15min wait for the train, then with two transfers and typical 1.5 to 2 hours to get form my door to Central Tokyo. Driving about the same time or longer due to traffic, but I could ride that distance on an eBike in less than an hour. However, unless for business or entertainment, or something special, I had no reason to go to Tokyo as everything I needed was within a few blocks of my home, about a dozen restaurants, a dozen or more shops, three grocery stores, and etc. In America, I have to drive 10 to 30 miles R/T to go to one of the few Big Box store like Walmart, and 30 to 50miles for a restaurant other than a McDonald's or Burger King because small business are all but gone. The American solution seems to be heading to online shopping and home delivery.
I grew up in Portland, university in Seattle, first jobs in Boulder then Denver... and people are always surprised when I tell them Minneapolis is the best bike city I've lived in. Very underrated.
@@AlejandroRamirez-le2vv Twin Cities resident here. The Cities are fantastic! Winter really isn't that bad here, we're known but it's overdramatized a bit. You should come visit!
@@jackswift4072 biking here in the winter really is pretty good still. Compared to Madison, WI which prides itself on being bike friendly, they plow in the cities more and they have built out a lot more infrastructure
They’re probably better about plowing in Minneapolis. I live in Denver and the city isn’t very good at clearing paths and they don’t use salt at all outside the snow belt which doesn’t help. I lived in Madison which I think was way better for biking than Denver but it is also much smaller so maybe not a good comparison.
It would seem to be that average rent for an entire city could be misleading. Many of the cities listed have sprawling areas that aren’t bike friendly at all. Costs may be very different when within a mile of bike systems that make those cities actually bike worthy.
100%. I moved to one of the cities on this list 10 years ago, sold my car to do it so that I could cycle. After 4 years I found myself with a car again because the bike friendly areas were no longer affordable and the affordable areas are not bike friendly or walkable.
There's always chasing the yuppies out of places like New York and San Francisco and see reasonable rents again. Tbh I really don't understand why yuppies want to live in big cities when they can easily afford to live in the burbs and own a car.
I've lived in Philly car free for almost 20 years, and at this point I can definitely say it's both affordable and bikable. With the money I saved I was able to buy my house.
One other often overlooked part of Denver’s bike infrastructure is our creek/river trail network. This set of trails runs along most creeks and rivers in the areas and is built out with new development. Most are recreational, but for those in the suburbs it can mean being able to bike to downtown without even having to cross many major roads
Biked those trail every weekend. My only complaint with Denver is the drivers.... I'm in China now and it's crazy how much better the drivers are.... I wasn't expecting that and didn't realize how bad the driving was back home.
@@patrickedmonstone4712 I'm out in California for school, and it makes Denver drivers look like saints. Couldn't imagine biking on any of the streets near me with how the drivers act around cyclists here
@@matthewbornhorst5655 Bummer, highway one is on my bucket list. I was up in Humboldt County for a while, was blown away when people would pull over and let you pass in the mountains.... that wouldn't happen in Colorado haha. Love California though, if I had the money that's my number one state
I just road Bid Dry Creek in Westminster to go grocery shopping today. The networks in the suburbs can actually be pretty useful, they take you to quite a few commercial areas.
9:29 My Bethlehem 2.0 is Portland! During the Summer months there are HUNDREDS of organized group bike rides. It's called Pedalpolooza and it is GLORIOUS!
Jesus, Did you wear your hair in a bun so you would blend in easier? How did it feel to be the only non-white person on multiple rides in Portland? Did you exercise your Jesus powers by doing wheelies for miles at a time? Also, did Babe Ruth make it into heaven? I know he drank a lot but he was good with kids.
I am so glad you addressed affordability. As if that’s not the biggest factor impacting most Americans today, it blows my mind that it’s often not included in the conversation. I’m also glad that you addressed the “median” but there’s a large population that doesn’t even make that much - even with degrees - so yes we definitely have to take into account what is and isn’t affordable. I hate that most cities only seek to improve “bike-ability” in areas where the median income is higher - we really need to make it accessible for everyone and that starts with proper urban planning. Thank you for this video! ❤️
Always love seeing my city make these lists! I've gotta give a plug for Pittsburgh. I've lived in the area my whole life, but I've been living completely car free now in the city since the beginning of the year and it's been great. My car was dead weight for the longest time because I barely ever used it so getting rid of it is a huge load off. Just last week I rode my ebike to one of the light rail stations, got on with my bike and then got off at my stop and was able to ride over to my destination. People really underestimate how great this city is for a North American city. There are so many cities that don't have any rapid transit whatsoever yet, we've got multiple forms and are expanding our system as we speak.
Another Pittburgh bike fan here. Love that every bus can carry 2 bikes up front. Fly into PIT, stick the bike on the bus to downtown and your free and clear to ride rails to trails to DC.
Pittsburgh is great, and so are many of the surrounding towns... But dear god does our geography make transportation hard, our Geography is not just Bike Unfriendly, it is Car unfriendly, and Train unfriendly. We have to put so much more into our transportation network than other flatter cities to get the same or even less mobility.
Yo! I didn't know you were splitting your time with Philly. You're spot on about drivers being homicidal. I've been grazed on a couple occasions. A friend of mine was doored. Drivers don't know the rules for bikes and therefore think you're blocking their "right" to drive as fast as they want. The drivers are similarly aggressive to other drivers. It's insane. Even when I'm way over to the right side of the lane (or gutter or parking lane), some cars will insist on buzzing as close as possible to me just to be jerks. Anyway, I'd love to connect and go on a ride together sometime.
It's not the stupid drivers, but the city's bike lane design layout... with the tax money they burn, they must send some of their high paid "professionals" on a summer camp to Netherland or London, UK Until then, Philly gonna pretend to have bike network
I remember riding out in Conshohocken when I still lived in Philly and some dude yelled at me for being in the road before speeding off, and I saw he had Jersey plates; like dude, I have more right to the road than you do, at least I pay taxes here, lol.
People think it’s their god-given right to drive 45 mph to that next stop sign. The same clowns that buzz me, I catch right back up with them two blocks later while they’re sitting at a red light.
Chicago should be an honorable mention, rent can be found for reasonable prices if you have roommates or look towards the outskirts of the city, bike lanes are everywhere.
Loved this video! My city, Atlanta, has a bad reputation for urban sprawl, traffic, and car dependency. BUT, I’ve seen so many major improvements to bike infrastructure within the actual city and intown neighborhoods where I live in the past 5 years. I hope this is where more cities are heading in general.
It's interesting seeing Detroit on the list. I'm legitimately impressed with their bike infrastructure progress in the last decade, at least in the city center and orbiting neighborhoods. As a metro area, living car free can be pretty difficult. The bus system is neglected and competes with oversized roads that barely back up. There aren't many big box stores in bikeable areas, which makes it really hard to shop for some stuff. That said, the city seems to understand safe biking is not just for the rich, but also an issue of equity. They're working on some pretty cool green ways and protected lanes through the neighborhoods. There's still a feeling that bike lanes are a tool for gentrification, but I hope the green ways help alter that perspective.
As a metro Detroit native (born in the city and used to work there) I was surprised to see it on the list. It sounds like it is getting a lot of credit for plans though, not what is there. You mention big box stores laakkonen, but even grocery stores are hard to come by in the city itself. Kind of strange to hear a city called bike friendly when the only food you can get is from restaurants or convenience stores without a car.
I’m late to this I live in warren and I bike a lot we at least have sidewalks but warren is quite sprawled and in crossing intersections is quite inconvenient
Living in Portland, I can say that the sheer number of cyclists has created large side benefits that just isn’t possible otherwise. Commuting by bike incredibly safe when you are going down the street with a group of other cyclists. Most neighborhoods have a local bike shop so you can easily walk your bike in for maintenance and repairs. They also are likely to carry commuter specific gear such as fender, rain gear etc. There are also a number of local businesses that cater to cyclist’s unique needs including insurance agents, lawyers, in addition to cycling gear and equipment.
been riding my ebike for almost 3 months full time and the number one thing that i have found is that i see more things im more aware of whats around me. I have a truck, I can afford driving my truck, I own 3 vehicles and I always choose the bike, its so much fun
I think you have to factor in average income for a specific city vs average rent. Rents in San Francisco and Brooklyn are higher because people want to live there, and people typically get paid more than the national average.
Just moved to Milwaukee from Denver and got to say I was impressed with the number of bicyclists. I would say there is just as much bike commuting here compared to Denver. It is also much more compact so I can get around the downtown area easier just being a pedestrian. The Oakleaf and Hank Aaron are great to getting to the suburbs. Honestly the worst thing about cycling here is the roads. They are completely atrocious and you honestly should get a full suspension just for road riding.
I like that note on Philly drivers. I think PA drivers in general are just... really aggressive and wild. Speed limit signs are not just suggestions, they are just useless ornaments in that state.
St. Louis has been steadily loosing population for a number of years making it more into a commute to city than a city you commute in. But as gentrification sets in, it becoming more attractive with the locals. Besides that, it has a somewhat transportation system especially for a city of it size.
Born and raised by SLU. I left in 2004 for Florida but it was rough when I left and only recommend biking out in the county. Roads in horrible condition.
I am retired and have lived in STL almost all of my life. Street pavements are poor in many places but I ride 15+ miles 4 times a week and have many terrific routes in all areas of the city except the north side because I just am not familiar with the territory.
Hi, St Louis resident here. 17 year bike commuter, also do most of my regular errands (shopping, library, etc) by bike. Not being critical, just a "boots on the ground" view of STL in this top 10 list. STL is an incredibly affordable city. We have so much great stuff going for us; decent year-round weather (I know locals would scoff at that, but we don't have Texas summers or Minnesota winters, it's not bad at all), tons of free cultural amenities, we punch above our weight on food and culture, incredible brick home architecture. Great stuff. Safe bike infrastructure, so far, is not one of those, though. And, drivers are absolutely insane. I have a close call nearly every day. I bike with my kids, but try to stay to MUPs and very carefully cross roads at stop signs. We have about 5 blocks of protected bike lanes downtown, that's about it on roads other than painted lanes. We have lots of plans for infrastructure, but not much existing at this point. I'm 50, I hope some of it comes to fruition before I retire.
I really like this idea. I’ve lived in Fort Collins, CO and now in Davis, CA and it’s getting really expensive in both these places. I’d love to see a mid-size town list too! I want to just ride my bike and be able to afford where I live. I now work from home so I’m mobile. Thanks for the video!
@@zauwee geez Davis maintains its green belt paths poorly though. tree root obstacle course. but yeah, overall enviable. especially when compared to the cycling mediocrity in Solano County.
Great thought!! I live in Bellingham, WA and the housing prices here have SOARED in the last 10-15 years. It's basically like living in a tiny Seattle or San Fran at this point...
Sacramento is so good as a cyclist! Forgot to mention the truly massive, fully protected bike/ped American River Trail that not only runs through beautiful green space, but cuts right through so much of the city and suburban sprawl that it essentially serves as the city’s bike commute highway.
Yea Philly! I've been living here car free for almost 20 years. Very underrated as a car free city, but you do need a thick skin and know how to ride defensively. It's shitty to say, but you have to not give off a vibe. When you show respect to drivers they reciprocate, but they go into a rage the second they think you're acting entitled. "When you live with privilege your whole life, equality feels like oppression" and a lot of drivers don't like to share the road, even if they're just going to stop and wait at the next intersection. With the city installing more bike lanes, I think they've done a good job of communicating expectations of how the roads should be used. I've seen a huge improvement in attitude over the years. At this point drivers wave me through an intersection more often than not. I think drivers are finally starting to get, that the reason they can find parking at all is because of people like me.
Thanks! Very useful overall. My wife and I have often viewed other country's biking/mass transit options with envy and wish the US had followed the same model. I'm reminded of an old quote, though: "The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today."
I've emailed the city engineer where I live (Liberty, MIssouri) and they say "we are moving as fast as we can". When they build a new road, they usually put in a paved bike/ pedestrian trail alongside it but they haven't done much for existing roads or intersections. ]There is still a great lack of even crossing lights or walkways at large intersections and no bike lanes. On a few roads they put up "Share the road" signs but not much else. I think they've decided that people are cheaper to replace than installing traffic lights or bike lanes.
Good for you on the emails! I'd be curious what the hurdles are. Are they constricted by the budget? Might be a good reason to get involved in city politics.
These things definitely take time and effort! Changing the entire infrastructure overnight is pretty much impossible unless you're being funded by a billionaire. The trick is to get your town or municipality to change the baseline for their infrastructure. This means that every time a street needs to be resurfaced, they are expected to update the street to the new baseline. Really good examples would be protected bike lanes (not just a stripe in the gutter), designated car-free multiuse lanes or trails, and even elevated crosswalks which not only allows for easier accessibility for pedestrians with disabilities or folks walking with a stroller or cart but also calms car traffic. I would definitely encourage advocating for a less car-centric baseline and maybe in 20 years your town will be totally transformed!
I’m really shocked that Madison Wisconsin didn’t make your list. Although it is becoming unaffordable, public transport is awesome there, and the bike trails are awesome as well. Over the last decade, they have implemented more bike lanes on the roads, and more bike racks. I was also surprised that you didn’t mention the tails that span most of Wisconsin (Ice Age Trail, etc). You can literally bike to Illinois and Minnesota on them
I recommend including a rating factor of inclusion of protected biking in the county roads build requirements. A politician may change the priority for safe biking. Once the county roads office has safe biking in their build and renovate spec, it’s difficult for anyone to remove the standard. #slowburnwin
Yes and yes! I love the route your content is taking! I did not expect a “best place to live list”, but this is the first one that focuses on Strong Towns ideals. This is extremely helpful.
I’ve been to almost all of these places many times. Pittsburgh and Denver are the answer. Pittsburgh has been discovered, and it’s getting harder to find deals. Denver is only affordable if you are willing to live in a pre gentrification area. If you can buy in one of these, you can do really well. Problem with the numbers is that median income in huge cities higher than elsewhere. I lived near San Fran in the 90’s. I worked for an out of state company and I was instantly aware I was being ripped off. Quit, moved to Houston, made nearly same money and went from below middle class to upper and home owner in a few years! So, if you really want to live in NYC or whatever, do research. You may be able to make it happen. There’s a reason the most expensive places are more bike friendly- density. Super desirability (usually driven by earning potential) creates more density and higher prices at the same time. It also leads to big government and corruption, and - bike infrastructure! 😂🤣🤣
Portland's great, I lived in Corvallis for a decade and took my bike up there quite a few times. They have some HILLS, but an E-bike and/or massive quads will get you up them. They're pretty lacking in places to park though, especially if you have a nice bike and need more protection from thieves.
I live in the Indianapolis area and I love how walkable and bikeable it is here especially the downtown area. It is also pretty cheap to live here we pay $1500 for a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom home.
Really enjoyed this, and found it very insightful. One thing to consider when you're pulling this data, is to make sure you're using sources that actually focus on income per capita for all of the US, as many sources only focus on a few major metropolitan areas, which have higher incomes overall. The nation's median income was closer to 53,000 in January 2022, when we had to arrange some proposals. In the majority of towns/cities in the us, 50,000 is at the top of possible salary ranges, with others going up to 65k, but rarely breaching it. These same areas have average household incomes of 32,000 - 46,000 a year for a family with 2 working adults. Just a thought, as this was very intriguing to see, and really useful for future planning, but I feel that sometimes we lose site of the 130 million + people in the US who do not make enough to live in inexpensive cities/towns, let alone in a major metropolitan area.
I think the biggest reason biking has been growing in popularity... is mostly because cities have finally started adopting bike infrastructure, & laws that protect cyclists. All the other reasons, like... exercise, fun, gas prices, congestion, etc... have always bedn there. The one reason why most people quit biking... is having to always fight against traffic. Only the stubborn would continue on.
I would suggest a good follow on to this could be smaller towns that are affordable and are bike friendly. As someone who lives on the West Coast, Eugene Oregon, and a number of towns in California come to mind. I am sure there are lots of other good candidates (eg. Boulder Colorado)
@@brianmiller5444 We Americans have this delusion that stuff maintains itself. They think the money we spend to build stuff is enough and that it will never need maintenance. Maintenance is ad hoc. State and Federal government have to keep passing legislation to do maintenance work and a new budget every year. Why can't we just pass financing for infrastructure in perpetuity.
semi fun fact in the netherlands prices are lower and we pay more taxes to create bike infrastructure (no news there) but the image of bike vs car is flipped. Most higher incomes are/want to be seen on bikes and many don't even own a private car. The lower/mid incomes still want to drive a car i guess partly as an image. Prices of living (esp power and heat) are going up but the tax point means that there is no massive relationship between expensive cities and cheaper cities in how well the bike infra is. I live in a somewhat expensive city called Utrecht and just adore the bike infra and even now how fast they are upgrading it and living cost doesn't effect me much since i am lucky i own my own home thats fully paid for. Keep the great content coming it seems us europeans also like to watch mostly usa aimed content for compare...
I ride to work in Denver, it’s nice to have protected lanes, they use concrete blocks to separate bike lanes from car lanes on existing roads. We also have nice multi use trails
I live in St. Louis City and pretty much bike everywhere. There's a lot of great infrastructure in the works. It's very affordable too. Great city for remote work. One nuance the video didn't cover, the county bike plan he mentioned only pertains to St. Louis County which is completely separate from the city of St. Louis - a city independent of a county.
@@PunchingCacti That's a perception problem, that is skewed by the above mention of the STL city-county split. One homicide is too many, but the perception that STL is any more "dangerous" than any other city is just wrong.
yeah I was thinking about that when he said it and it's such a weird thing to explain. But its vital that both city and county step up their game. Thankfully GRG has the ability to operate county, city, and ST Charles. the network effect really makes places more bike able.
I spend time in two places. One is a city and it's very easy to get around to the basic stores by bike and has 120 miles of greenways. The other is a smaller town and it does not have infrastructure but you can go most of the places on neighborhood roads and avoid traffic while going a bit slower. So neaighborhoods with 25 mph speed limits that are strictly enforce are bike infrastucture in a way.
Chris this is fantastic, I really appreciate the national perspective and data. Would appreciate more content on your approach to walking and biking advocacy!
Portland, a beautiful place with great bike infastructure. One of the best options if you have a lot of money, which allows you to park in private parking, guarded apartment buildings, and stay safe from the crime. If you're poor, you have to live in cramped old housing, worry about your Honda civic being stolen, dodge aggressive panhandlers, and have your guard up in general. Of you're well off you can afford to avoid the worst parts of Portland. If your poor, you have to live with it. If youre single, maybe it's worth it. If you're not rich and you have a family I can't recommend it.
All your videos are great but I found this one particularly compelling. I'd call it a video essay that covers a range of topics tied together into the theme of cycling. Well articulated and deserving an A+.
I think it would be nice if there was a national system of bike trails so people can get from one place to another on bike. Also, it would be nice if Greyhound/Trailways buses had bike racks. It would make it easier not to own a car. Also, lots more places to charge up a e-bike.
Can you do a video about the most bikeable and affordable TOWNS to live in instead of cities and towns that are connected by public transport to cities if you want to have a city life like museums when you feel like it. Thanks ! enjoyed your video.
Whatever premium you pay to live in a bike-friendly, walkable city is usually offset by the savings from not having a car. Gas, registration, insurance, and maintenance can easily amount to several hundred dollars per month when averaged out - and that's assuming you own the car outright.
Excellent video. I’ve tried doing some of this investigation (affordable bike cities) and appreciate having it pulled together in a well-done video like this. I live near Detroit and can attest to the good work getting done in the city for cycling.
I'm almost surprised that Albuquerque, New Mexico, did not make the list. There are hundreds of miles of bike infrastructure here. Plus you can ride year round. It is also affordable too. It is why I moved here.
I'm from ABQ and was wondering if it would make the list. It's affordable and has great weather but the infrastructure is lacking. I think if you're into the outdoors and can't afford Denver it's an amazing place to live, but it doesn't compare to these other cities as far as good infrastructure and urban planning. Hopefully someday!
@@ajarob35 I moved from Norwich, Connecticut which had almost zero bike infrastructure. It's definitely an upgrade from where I moved from. But probably are other cities that have much better than here and Albuquerque. There are some areas that can be improved but overall I think it's pretty good.
As a bicycle advocate, young Chris, it would be interesting to do the same analysis with bicycle safety in the mix. 40 years ago I would bike from the ‘burbs’ into DC. Wouldn’t do it now…not safe. Not just drivers you hinted in 7:24, but persons with more nefarious intentions.
The safety thing is a viscious cycle, no pun intended. The more people who are out walking or biking, it's going to be safer. Things get more dangerous when people are isolated. The idea that there may be a witness is a strong deterant.
I like that you are realistic. As someone who has ridden 8,000+ miles each of the last two years in Minneapolis, I see the good and the not so good. I am encouraged and infuriated by our infrastructure (often in the same ride.) I am grateful for what I am able to ride on and fear for my life. Sadly even the best have a long way to go.
even tho Chitown didn't make the list, there are plenty of affordable suburban towns surrounding Chicago that you can get your bike to public transportation and go from there - all over the place there are bike paths! Illinois is also part of the Great American Trail across the US.
Having left the States over 30 years ago (St. Louis) for a much bike friendlier locale, I'm quite pleased to see more & more Americans getting out and cycling, and the infrastructure for this is helping pave the way. One other point....the advent of the E-Bike has allowed older folks, who would have otherwise given up on cycling, to get out there again. I know they aren't cheap, but I'm happy to see so many of these people cycling again.
Austin TX hands down, bicycle heaven. Sunny weather 300 days a year, fantastic trails, bike lanes everywhere, kind drivers, fit active people, great nightlife, great food, go see for yourself!
A bike friend city in its nature has to be more pedestrian friendly and that creates a more flexible city - Flexible living options are quite limited in North America so I think that induces demand and causes above average renting prices.
I tend to get very pessimistic about green gentrification but this comment gives me something to think about. If flexible cities were the norm, would they still cost so much more?
@@suckmyartauds if bike friendly, walkable communitites were the norm, they would not cost so much. The problem right now is that they are 'special'. Plus, maybe the city has to have more money available in the first place to do these kind of projects, so they tend to be the nicer places. The automobile companies have been allowed to dictate American life for the last 100 years, maybe people are starting to see the society geared around cars is not the best option.
Safe bicycle parking was something I was about to comment on before you mentioned it at the end of the video. When I lived in Portland I would constantly see bicycles stripped of parts that were chained up downtown, and that's only because they weren't easily stolen. When I see places like in the Netherlands I admire their bicycle garages but I also think there's a major cultural difference that keeps bicycle left much lower over there, and probably many other places.
Anecdotally, when I visited the Netherlands a long time ago (25 yrs?), my Dutch friends told me that the canals were 1/3 water, 1/3 mud, and 1/3 bikes. And the bike stores were selling locks that looked heavier than the bikes. Apparently bored teens and drunk young folks like to joyride and then toss the bike in the canal. Again, this is anecdotal and reality might be quite different.
@@billgehring9549 I've heard that too, but I think in general the theft problem is less there, unless you are parking an expensive bike, like a fat tired e-bike.
Super glad to see my hometown area on this list! Portland is indeed really affordable and bike friendly. The weather is also really kind to us in the PNW as well. One thing I'd say though is that your connections can only get you so far. Like going across the Columbia for example, the is awful and will still be with the I5BR for bikes. The Max can also be very time consuming as well if using public transit. A car is also a great way to get out and explore the world of the PNW like Hood and the coast. So you probably shouldn't ditch your car just for a bike just because you live in one of these top spots.
Great video! I currently live in Denver and bike as much as I can. They are doing a lot to improve bike infrastructure, especially downtown. We still have a ways to go when compared to European cities. They have done this in certain areas of Denver but the low hanging fruit to protecting bike lanes would be to move all vehicle parking next to the traffic lane and allow the bike lanes to be protected in between the parked vehicles and the curb. Especially along busy roads. Short term there is no need for construction, just painting crews. Long term concrete barriers or curb would be nice.
Great to see my city at #2! Definitely earned that spot. Not having to own a car allows you to spend more on a nicer apartment too, so I got a nice spot in West Downtown and bike to work every day (weather permitting, but in those instances I just take the bus)
I love the idea of this list! I also feel better now about moving to Denver next week for school. But one thing I want to point out about Denver is that their mass transit agency (RTD) does not allow ebikes (or e-scooters) on their buses and rail.
It is true the rules for RTD were originally written to keep Mopeds of the system and have not been updated. I think on of the issues is there are hundreds of busses (maybe thousands) which were outfitted with bike racks pre-ebike (Denver was ahead of the game there) but these setups are not rated for the additional weight if loaded fully with ebikes. My guess is it will take years to upgrade if the money can be found. Until they can universally support ebike I expect the ban to continue.
Even when I was a college student back in the 90's in Sacramento, it was known as a great bike city. They have something like 70 mile long bike paths traversing the city along the river that used to be railroad tracks.
yeh no, lived in Sac my entire life. I ride my bike. it's not safe! The American River Bike trail is great but anything close to cars where you need to get things done, is super dangerous and the city doesn't care.
The original inner grid of Sacramento is very good for bicycling & walking as daily transportation, but becomes typically car-centric north of the American River and south of US-50. The fringe suburbs such as Roseville & Elk Grove might be better or even worse, but I haven’t been to either.
@@stanyu2029 "Original Inner Grid of Sacramento" I have lived here all my entire life. What are you talking about? "Original" you mean Old Sac? It is not good or safe anywhere in Sac! Name safe commuter streets. Be specific. "fringe suburbs"? You are talking about Sac right? It is all suburbs. I don't get what you mean by "fringe" there are tons of people that live out there and commute daily. And besides that, I live in South Sac. I ride my bike. IT IS NOT SAFE! If you don't know what you are talking about, you shouldn't chime in.
@Graham Farmer parts of Sac that I would ride or walk in daylight include Downtown, Sac State, Midtown, the Flats, Fab Forties, McKinley Park, and Old Town. Stay on secondary streets outside the downtown/Capitol neighborhoods, and definitely avoid the wide roads like Folsom Blvd. North of C Street and south of US-50 are clearly unfriendly to bicyclists. Homelessness along American River wasn’t as big a problem when I rode the parkway a few years ago. If you think Sac sucks for biking, try Los Angeles. I’ll trade places with you.
@@stanyu2029 Sacramento is not safe to ride bike. PERIOD. A few years ago? 2019? Homelessness was bad on America River Bike Trail. When was the last time you attempted to ride here? Because I am specifically speaking post pandemic. I used to commute to downtown daily. Used to ride to Folsom & Davis on the weekends. I don't do it anymore. It's not safe. No one said LA is the top in all US bike cities. So that is a moot point. No reason to even try and gaslight the conversation with such nonsense.
I’m happy to see Denver on this list, but as someone who lives here I’m also dying for more bike infrastructure! A lot of the bike network near me consists of shared lanes and I don’t feel totally safe sharing a lane with cars, especially when it feels like a lot of the cars who drive on side streets speed or run stop signs. Would love to see a better connection of protected bike lanes especially on the west side of I-25
I think the majority of the population lives in the west side of I-25 aside from Downtown Denver proper and most dedicated bike paths are in the west side too
I've really started taking advantage of the close proximity to my office. Granted I do still motor into the office more than I bike, but being able to ride or run into work at least once or twice a week has burdened my car less, saved me money on gas, and helped me maintain my health. Atlanta is trying but has a long way to go to make it a great city to ride in.
As cyclist living in Denver who has been considering relocating for work/fam, a huge cycling issue for me is proximity to the climbs. From downtown its only about 15 miles to Lookout Mountain or any number of spectacular cycling friendly canyons. So there is bike commuting sure, but there is also bike commuting to some seriously rad riding.
I want to mention Missoula, Montana. Not only it’s a charming small city in the Northern Rockies, it’s one of the most bike-friendly in the Interior Northwest. Not only urban bike infrastructure in Missoula is quite impressive for a small city of 75,000, but it also has hundreds of recreational mountain biking trails located within or just right outside the city. For that reason, Missoula is a HUGE community of mountain bikers!
just moved to milwaukee from rural va and I love it so much. there are homicidal drivers (they will run reds regularly) and the roads are bad with potholes but I'm trying to remember the best routes for my day to day :)
I was surprised to see the author riding without a helmet in a video basically about bike convenience and safety. Yes I also think that access to safe biking will increase home value.
I was so happy to see STL on this list. Missouri has been lagging behind in bike infrastructure, but it sounds like they're finally working on it. We have more to offer than just the fabulous Katy Trail.
Great list. I live in Oakland, which is improving its bike infrastructure every month, the only downside is Bay Area rents are pure insanity. Anyway, I'm looking forward to visiting and exploring (by bike!) many of the cities on this list.
Thank you for your comments on Philly. Another big problem is a cyclist cannot ride from the center of town to the suburbs. I can ride down 22nd st. to grocery shop via the bike lane, but have to ride through Schuylkill River Park to get back to find a bike lane.
I retired from a major bike company a couple years ago, it was a great setup. We got bike commuter credits, indoor bike parking a locker room with lockers and showers. Last 3 miles was through a beautiful regional park and the 1st arrivals got the pick on the free table which included bike items that couldn't be resold because of damaged packaging. Only challenge for me was it was 18 miles each way so I would park 1/2 way and ride in when the weather was decent. PS, I recommend wearing a helmet especially when riding in traffic. Heading out now for my morning ride.
Pittsburgh is great for biking with an amazing trail network that not only gets you where you wanna go but is fun to ride as well. BUT, you have to love hills. There is no flat ground in the whole city. You will go uphill both ways no matter where you wanna go. As far as affordability, everyone I knew in the city got priced out by the incoming tech bros and other gentrifiers. And even as an extremely experienced cyclist, riding in Philly scared the pants off of me.
Great question to start a video with. Do you have to be rich to be safe riding a bike? It doesn't only go for how affordable your city is but also how affordable your neighborhood is. My city is doing a good job creating new bike routes but we still have painted bike gutters or worse in poorer neighborhoods. Traffic is also routed into the poorer areas with roads kept at 4-6 lanes, basically inner city highways, while other areas receive traffic calming. Some people want it to be easy to drive at highway speeds and park anywhere EXCEPT in front of their own house which they want protected. We spend way more money protecting car people from other car people than actually putting up separated bike ways. Thankfully on a bike we can take advantage of the traffic calmed neighborhoods and breeze right through.
Fantastic content. I live in the hilly city by the bay. We do have a good bike lane network, not great, but as a full time eBiker, I can see the potential in any city to adopt the simple idea of just get out there & enjoy the bike ride!
How do you address homelessness, when there is an endless stream coming to your community from other less hospitable communities? Say all the red states put homeless in jail, the homeless leave the red state, move to some place where they receive some benefits, then the word gets out, and more and more homeless end up in the blue city.
The irony is that getting rid of your car is probably the easiest way to save money.
Ya, when I found out that I was spending an average of $700 a month for my 2007 Scion tC that I had bought used over the course of my 6 year payment plan, I realized that if I were to just add $700 to whatever I could afford before, that would open up a lot more options for me.
Before that, I was stuck in car brain, frustrated that all the places I could actually afford had no off-street parking. Now, I specifically seek out apartments with no car included off-street parking because I don't want to pay (in my rent) for things I won't use.
Depends on where one lives.
@@ex0stasis72 trudat dd the same feel fantastic
Sadly if you live in a country demolished for the car it can be tricky.
@@jody024 I live in what has to be the most car focused city in canada and it is possible, but damn if everyone here says it isnt. nothings for free though you have to change your lifestyle, and I think that's the real issue, nobody wants to move from their current house, but as it happens, you can't live in your SFH community and enjoy a walkable community because they are contradictory.
I live in Minneapolis. Got rid of my car and bike everywhere - I love it! We’re also taking steps to increase housing supply by reducing parking minimums, up zoning, etc.
Kudos for you, but come winter, they are gonna find you and your bicycle frozen to the pavement.
I've been in Minneapolis for 8 years now, haven't had a car the whole time. All bike, all the time, all weather, all seasons!
@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689 its mostly based on having the correct clothing and sensible bicycle
NE resident here, my car died last fall and I've been car free since, best decision I've ever made, and saved so much money in the past year!
Do you then e-bike; how about when the weather is above 90 etc?
Left the USA 8 years ago. Cycling is 1 of my top 5 reason to not come back. Obviously I think about coming back because I’m watching this video, but 8 years of no car commuting has been amazing and not something I’m willing to lose.
Where did you move? I want to move
@Hafhafnhaf I've been many placed. 6 years in Japan.
Any big city in Asian and Europe are bike friendly.
Some in AU and NZ
@@KairyuRider What do you do to be able to stay long term?
@@AB-py6jl get a work visa like in any country.
Do the right things to get enough points for their version of a green card
I’m a transportation plangineer, and I can tell you that these bike network plans mean very little. They’re often treated as a virtue signal to avoid truly spending bike infrastructure and instead just act as though they’re working deciding where to build bike lanes, even though they could do that without a consultant.
These master plans cost far less than engineering design and construction of even quick-build bike lanes.
And that's exactly where lessons can be learned from the Dutch and Danes. It's far more than just painting lines on asphalt.
As a Pittsburgher I can say that our master plan might not be moving as fast as I'd like, but it's definitely being put into effect. You can tell because of all of the old yinzers complaining constantly about cyclists and calling the former mayor "Bike Lane Bill" as if that's a bad thing.
I'm from Hayward CA and after getting me involved in City Council meetings I realized exactly what you said. It's sad but it seems like the only way to make this happen is to require bike infrastructure by law.
They always make so many excuses for not building protected bike lanes that I'm really tired of it
Agreed. Witnessing this in Long Beach, CA.
Alec, Good the see your comment. Years ago I changed my major from urban planning to computer science once I saw that urban planning was a method of packing more cars into a limited space so people could spend & waste more.
As a German living in a southern part rural area I'm really thankful that my county decided to built bikeways next to side roads or highways over the past 20 years. We have a really good net of bike lanes nowadays and I'm often surprised how fast between two spots I can cycle. Hopefully the idea will be also taken into consideration into the cities. Often they are still really car-centric, full of traffic jams and polluted. Thanks to our allmighty car-lobby.
Indeed, I was thinking back to some areas in southern around Freiberg in the Black Forest and was thinking that even without bikeways many smaller cities and towns would be comfortable if not ideal for cycle transportation when compared to the US.
@@jackoneil3933 I'm living in Franconia. We're not having this large differences in altitudes, so most villages can be reached comfortably. I agree with you. Since Germany is in most areas densely populated a lot of traffice could be managed by bikes.
I think most German cities have terrific bike infrastructure (I am specifically referencing Munich, since I live near there).
I'm glad the US isn't the only country with an Almighty car lobby! Many places just want to switch to electric cars, but what we need is more bikes and free fast and safe public transportation worldwide.
@@eveastardust3747 Indeed... Is there any place in the world with 'fast and free public transportation? Having lived in Tokyo, public transportation is usually convenient if you live within comfortable walking distance of a train station but it's not always fast and and can be pretty expensive.
To travel from my home about 15 miles from central Tokyo used to take a 20min walk to the station, a 15min wait for the train, then with two transfers and typical 1.5 to 2 hours to get form my door to Central Tokyo. Driving about the same time or longer due to traffic, but I could ride that distance on an eBike in less than an hour.
However, unless for business or entertainment, or something special, I had no reason to go to Tokyo as everything I needed was within a few blocks of my home, about a dozen restaurants, a dozen or more shops, three grocery stores, and etc. In America, I have to drive 10 to 30 miles R/T to go to one of the few Big Box store like Walmart, and 30 to 50miles for a restaurant other than a McDonald's or Burger King because small business are all but gone.
The American solution seems to be heading to online shopping and home delivery.
I grew up in Portland, university in Seattle, first jobs in Boulder then Denver... and people are always surprised when I tell them Minneapolis is the best bike city I've lived in. Very underrated.
So true...though winters are brutal. But they can be any place there's snow.
This videos is probably going to help change that. Minneapolis looks really nice based on this video.
@@AlejandroRamirez-le2vv Twin Cities resident here. The Cities are fantastic! Winter really isn't that bad here, we're known but it's overdramatized a bit. You should come visit!
@@jackswift4072 biking here in the winter really is pretty good still. Compared to Madison, WI which prides itself on being bike friendly, they plow in the cities more and they have built out a lot more infrastructure
They’re probably better about plowing in Minneapolis. I live in Denver and the city isn’t very good at clearing paths and they don’t use salt at all outside the snow belt which doesn’t help. I lived in Madison which I think was way better for biking than Denver but it is also much smaller so maybe not a good comparison.
It would seem to be that average rent for an entire city could be misleading. Many of the cities listed have sprawling areas that aren’t bike friendly at all. Costs may be very different when within a mile of bike systems that make those cities actually bike worthy.
100%. I moved to one of the cities on this list 10 years ago, sold my car to do it so that I could cycle. After 4 years I found myself with a car again because the bike friendly areas were no longer affordable and the affordable areas are not bike friendly or walkable.
I hate how he uses "average" and "median" interchangeable. The guy has no idea how money works.
There's always chasing the yuppies out of places like New York and San Francisco and see reasonable rents again. Tbh I really don't understand why yuppies want to live in big cities when they can easily afford to live in the burbs and own a car.
FACTS.
I've lived in Philly car free for almost 20 years, and at this point I can definitely say it's both affordable and bikable. With the money I saved I was able to buy my house.
One other often overlooked part of Denver’s bike infrastructure is our creek/river trail network. This set of trails runs along most creeks and rivers in the areas and is built out with new development. Most are recreational, but for those in the suburbs it can mean being able to bike to downtown without even having to cross many major roads
Biked those trail every weekend. My only complaint with Denver is the drivers.... I'm in China now and it's crazy how much better the drivers are.... I wasn't expecting that and didn't realize how bad the driving was back home.
@@patrickedmonstone4712 I'm out in California for school, and it makes Denver drivers look like saints. Couldn't imagine biking on any of the streets near me with how the drivers act around cyclists here
@@matthewbornhorst5655 Bummer, highway one is on my bucket list. I was up in Humboldt County for a while, was blown away when people would pull over and let you pass in the mountains.... that wouldn't happen in Colorado haha. Love California though, if I had the money that's my number one state
I just road Bid Dry Creek in Westminster to go grocery shopping today. The networks in the suburbs can actually be pretty useful, they take you to quite a few commercial areas.
Not just Denver, but some of its suburbs.
9:29 My Bethlehem 2.0 is Portland! During the Summer months there are HUNDREDS of organized group bike rides. It's called Pedalpolooza and it is GLORIOUS!
Thanks for the shoutout, Jesus! I'm an atheist but I hope I'll see you there.
Jesus, Did you wear your hair in a bun so you would blend in easier? How did it feel to be the only non-white person on multiple rides in Portland? Did you exercise your Jesus powers by doing wheelies for miles at a time?
Also, did Babe Ruth make it into heaven? I know he drank a lot but he was good with kids.
I just got a bicycle not too long ago so i missed out on all of them sadly
Yeah it's a neighbourhood in Lisbon (Belém in Portuguese). Nazereth is in Belgium though.
Jesus Christ, if YOU can't get verified, what hope do the rest of us have? lol
I am so glad you addressed affordability. As if that’s not the biggest factor impacting most Americans today, it blows my mind that it’s often not included in the conversation. I’m also glad that you addressed the “median” but there’s a large population that doesn’t even make that much - even with degrees - so yes we definitely have to take into account what is and isn’t affordable. I hate that most cities only seek to improve “bike-ability” in areas where the median income is higher - we really need to make it accessible for everyone and that starts with proper urban planning. Thank you for this video! ❤️
Always love seeing my city make these lists! I've gotta give a plug for Pittsburgh. I've lived in the area my whole life, but I've been living completely car free now in the city since the beginning of the year and it's been great. My car was dead weight for the longest time because I barely ever used it so getting rid of it is a huge load off. Just last week I rode my ebike to one of the light rail stations, got on with my bike and then got off at my stop and was able to ride over to my destination. People really underestimate how great this city is for a North American city. There are so many cities that don't have any rapid transit whatsoever yet, we've got multiple forms and are expanding our system as we speak.
Another Pittburgh bike fan here. Love that every bus can carry 2 bikes up front. Fly into PIT, stick the bike on the bus to downtown and your free and clear to ride rails to trails to DC.
Its pretty solid. but as a visitor if you get off the trails it gets pretty terrible. PA in general has a pretty great network of trails.
Love from pgh! 🚴
One thing Pittsburgh will never be short of is Yinzers saying how great it is, and great it is indeed.
Pittsburgh is great, and so are many of the surrounding towns... But dear god does our geography make transportation hard, our Geography is not just Bike Unfriendly, it is Car unfriendly, and Train unfriendly. We have to put so much more into our transportation network than other flatter cities to get the same or even less mobility.
I live in Portland OR- and my good friends, be aware that we do have an affordable housing crisis and rents do not match salaries.
Philadelphia resident here. When you made the comment about homicidal drivers, I felt that in my soul.
Yo! I didn't know you were splitting your time with Philly. You're spot on about drivers being homicidal. I've been grazed on a couple occasions. A friend of mine was doored. Drivers don't know the rules for bikes and therefore think you're blocking their "right" to drive as fast as they want. The drivers are similarly aggressive to other drivers. It's insane. Even when I'm way over to the right side of the lane (or gutter or parking lane), some cars will insist on buzzing as close as possible to me just to be jerks.
Anyway, I'd love to connect and go on a ride together sometime.
It's not the stupid drivers, but the city's bike lane design layout... with the tax money they burn, they must send some of their high paid "professionals" on a summer camp to Netherland or London, UK
Until then, Philly gonna pretend to have bike network
I remember riding out in Conshohocken when I still lived in Philly and some dude yelled at me for being in the road before speeding off, and I saw he had Jersey plates; like dude, I have more right to the road than you do, at least I pay taxes here, lol.
In PA it is four feet and slow down to pass bicycles...keep a four foot pole (pool doodle) to your side...
Be safe out there it’s heartbreaking society treats cyclists like that! 🚲
People think it’s their god-given right to drive 45 mph to that next stop sign. The same clowns that buzz me, I catch right back up with them two blocks later while they’re sitting at a red light.
Chicago should be an honorable mention, rent can be found for reasonable prices if you have roommates or look towards the outskirts of the city, bike lanes are everywhere.
Loved this video! My city, Atlanta, has a bad reputation for urban sprawl, traffic, and car dependency. BUT, I’ve seen so many major improvements to bike infrastructure within the actual city and intown neighborhoods where I live in the past 5 years. I hope this is where more cities are heading in general.
This is what we spoke about last September, the real life of those with bikes. Love how this is progressing Chris.
It's interesting seeing Detroit on the list. I'm legitimately impressed with their bike infrastructure progress in the last decade, at least in the city center and orbiting neighborhoods. As a metro area, living car free can be pretty difficult. The bus system is neglected and competes with oversized roads that barely back up. There aren't many big box stores in bikeable areas, which makes it really hard to shop for some stuff. That said, the city seems to understand safe biking is not just for the rich, but also an issue of equity. They're working on some pretty cool green ways and protected lanes through the neighborhoods. There's still a feeling that bike lanes are a tool for gentrification, but I hope the green ways help alter that perspective.
There's parts of Metro Detroit that are getting better (royal oak, Ferndale, northville for example) but yeah it's pretty bad.
As a metro Detroit native (born in the city and used to work there) I was surprised to see it on the list. It sounds like it is getting a lot of credit for plans though, not what is there. You mention big box stores laakkonen, but even grocery stores are hard to come by in the city itself. Kind of strange to hear a city called bike friendly when the only food you can get is from restaurants or convenience stores without a car.
I’m late to this I live in warren and I bike a lot we at least have sidewalks but warren is quite sprawled and in crossing intersections is quite inconvenient
Yeah for bikes and bike culture. Thanks for a thoughtful well edited video.
I hope and pray that ATL will one day be on these lists. I love my city and I enjoy riding among our odd shaped blocks.
Living in Portland, I can say that the sheer number of cyclists has created large side benefits that just isn’t possible otherwise. Commuting by bike incredibly safe when you are going down the street with a group of other cyclists. Most neighborhoods have a local bike shop so you can easily walk your bike in for maintenance and repairs. They also are likely to carry commuter specific gear such as fender, rain gear etc. There are also a number of local businesses that cater to cyclist’s unique needs including insurance agents, lawyers, in addition to cycling gear and equipment.
been riding my ebike for almost 3 months full time and the number one thing that i have found is that i see more things im more aware of whats around me. I have a truck, I can afford driving my truck, I own 3 vehicles and I always choose the bike, its so much fun
I think you have to factor in average income for a specific city vs average rent. Rents in San Francisco and Brooklyn are higher because people want to live there, and people typically get paid more than the national average.
True but the only people who get paid well are the gentrifiers and the working class slowly gets displaced and forces to live in car dependent places.
@@es-zw3mg I 100% agree with you, I'd rather live in San Francisco or New York than in Phoenix or Houston
@@AlexCab_49 Improve your skills. I hire "working class" finish carpenters at $50/hr
I am so happy to see young children ~4y biking in Portland.👍👍
Just moved to Milwaukee from Denver and got to say I was impressed with the number of bicyclists. I would say there is just as much bike commuting here compared to Denver. It is also much more compact so I can get around the downtown area easier just being a pedestrian. The Oakleaf and Hank Aaron are great to getting to the suburbs. Honestly the worst thing about cycling here is the roads. They are completely atrocious and you honestly should get a full suspension just for road riding.
And a suspension seat....
Welcome to Milwaukee!
Can you say Scott holes?
colorado's bike infrastructure is 10x better than wisconsin, even milwaukee
I like that note on Philly drivers. I think PA drivers in general are just... really aggressive and wild. Speed limit signs are not just suggestions, they are just useless ornaments in that state.
Fantastic video! I live in Philly and I am surprised it ranks so highly in being bike friendly.
I think it's good for 'serious' cyclists, like racers, but probably not for normal people, unless you ride on trails.
St. Louis has been steadily loosing population for a number of years making it more into a commute to city than a city you commute in. But as gentrification sets in, it becoming more attractive with the locals. Besides that, it has a somewhat transportation system especially for a city of it size.
Born and raised by SLU. I left in 2004 for Florida but it was rough when I left and only recommend biking out in the county. Roads in horrible condition.
I am retired and have lived in STL almost all of my life. Street pavements are poor in many places but I ride 15+ miles 4 times a week and have many terrific routes in all areas of the city except the north side because I just am not familiar with the territory.
Hi, St Louis resident here. 17 year bike commuter, also do most of my regular errands (shopping, library, etc) by bike. Not being critical, just a "boots on the ground" view of STL in this top 10 list. STL is an incredibly affordable city. We have so much great stuff going for us; decent year-round weather (I know locals would scoff at that, but we don't have Texas summers or Minnesota winters, it's not bad at all), tons of free cultural amenities, we punch above our weight on food and culture, incredible brick home architecture. Great stuff. Safe bike infrastructure, so far, is not one of those, though. And, drivers are absolutely insane. I have a close call nearly every day. I bike with my kids, but try to stay to MUPs and very carefully cross roads at stop signs. We have about 5 blocks of protected bike lanes downtown, that's about it on roads other than painted lanes. We have lots of plans for infrastructure, but not much existing at this point. I'm 50, I hope some of it comes to fruition before I retire.
I really like this idea. I’ve lived in Fort Collins, CO and now in Davis, CA and it’s getting really expensive in both these places. I’d love to see a mid-size town list too! I want to just ride my bike and be able to afford where I live. I now work from home so I’m mobile. Thanks for the video!
I’m in Davis as well. Probably one of the most bike friendly towns in the world. But, yeah, it’s expensive for most folks. Cheers.
@@zauwee geez Davis maintains its green belt paths poorly though. tree root obstacle course. but yeah, overall enviable. especially when compared to the cycling mediocrity in Solano County.
Great thought!! I live in Bellingham, WA and the housing prices here have SOARED in the last 10-15 years. It's basically like living in a tiny Seattle or San Fran at this point...
Sacramento is so good as a cyclist! Forgot to mention the truly massive, fully protected bike/ped American River Trail that not only runs through beautiful green space, but cuts right through so much of the city and suburban sprawl that it essentially serves as the city’s bike commute highway.
Yea Philly! I've been living here car free for almost 20 years. Very underrated as a car free city, but you do need a thick skin and know how to ride defensively.
It's shitty to say, but you have to not give off a vibe. When you show respect to drivers they reciprocate, but they go into a rage the second they think you're acting entitled.
"When you live with privilege your whole life, equality feels like oppression" and a lot of drivers don't like to share the road, even if they're just going to stop and wait at the next intersection.
With the city installing more bike lanes, I think they've done a good job of communicating expectations of how the roads should be used. I've seen a huge improvement in attitude over the years. At this point drivers wave me through an intersection more often than not.
I think drivers are finally starting to get, that the reason they can find parking at all is because of people like me.
Ex Philly Bike Messenger here. Lots of paths, narrow streets. Have your head on a swivel. Drivers have no patience, he's not exaggerating.
Thanks! Very useful overall. My wife and I have often viewed other country's biking/mass transit options with envy and wish the US had followed the same model. I'm reminded of an old quote, though: "The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today."
I've emailed the city engineer where I live (Liberty, MIssouri) and they say "we are moving as fast as we can". When they build a new road, they usually put in a paved bike/ pedestrian trail alongside it but they haven't done much for existing roads or intersections. ]There is still a great lack of even crossing lights or walkways at large intersections and no bike lanes. On a few roads they put up "Share the road" signs but not much else. I think they've decided that people are cheaper to replace than installing traffic lights or bike lanes.
Good for you on the emails! I'd be curious what the hurdles are. Are they constricted by the budget? Might be a good reason to get involved in city politics.
Thanks for doing your civic duty, change always comes from the bottom, never from the top!
These things definitely take time and effort! Changing the entire infrastructure overnight is pretty much impossible unless you're being funded by a billionaire. The trick is to get your town or municipality to change the baseline for their infrastructure. This means that every time a street needs to be resurfaced, they are expected to update the street to the new baseline. Really good examples would be protected bike lanes (not just a stripe in the gutter), designated car-free multiuse lanes or trails, and even elevated crosswalks which not only allows for easier accessibility for pedestrians with disabilities or folks walking with a stroller or cart but also calms car traffic. I would definitely encourage advocating for a less car-centric baseline and maybe in 20 years your town will be totally transformed!
I’m really shocked that Madison Wisconsin didn’t make your list. Although it is becoming unaffordable, public transport is awesome there, and the bike trails are awesome as well. Over the last decade, they have implemented more bike lanes on the roads, and more bike racks. I was also surprised that you didn’t mention the tails that span most of Wisconsin (Ice Age Trail, etc). You can literally bike to Illinois and Minnesota on them
Agree! I live in Madison and bike pretty much everywhere, even in winter. They plow the paths when it snows.
its not best tbh i lived there its not good
@@saracynthia stop lying
I recommend including a rating factor of inclusion of protected biking in the county roads build requirements. A politician may change the priority for safe biking. Once the county roads office has safe biking in their build and renovate spec, it’s difficult for anyone to remove the standard. #slowburnwin
Yes and yes! I love the route your content is taking! I did not expect a “best place to live list”, but this is the first one that focuses on Strong Towns ideals. This is extremely helpful.
I’ve been to almost all of these places many times. Pittsburgh and Denver are the answer. Pittsburgh has been discovered, and it’s getting harder to find deals. Denver is only affordable if you are willing to live in a pre gentrification area. If you can buy in one of these, you can do really well.
Problem with the numbers is that median income in huge cities higher than elsewhere. I lived near San Fran in the 90’s. I worked for an out of state company and I was instantly aware I was being ripped off. Quit, moved to Houston, made nearly same money and went from below middle class to upper and home owner in a few years! So, if you really want to live in NYC or whatever, do research. You may be able to make it happen.
There’s a reason the most expensive places are more bike friendly- density. Super desirability (usually driven by earning potential) creates more density and higher prices at the same time. It also leads to big government and corruption, and - bike infrastructure! 😂🤣🤣
Portland's great, I lived in Corvallis for a decade and took my bike up there quite a few times. They have some HILLS, but an E-bike and/or massive quads will get you up them. They're pretty lacking in places to park though, especially if you have a nice bike and need more protection from thieves.
I live in the Indianapolis area and I love how walkable and bikeable it is here especially the downtown area. It is also pretty cheap to live here we pay $1500 for a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom home.
Really enjoyed this, and found it very insightful. One thing to consider when you're pulling this data, is to make sure you're using sources that actually focus on income per capita for all of the US, as many sources only focus on a few major metropolitan areas, which have higher incomes overall. The nation's median income was closer to 53,000 in January 2022, when we had to arrange some proposals. In the majority of towns/cities in the us, 50,000 is at the top of possible salary ranges, with others going up to 65k, but rarely breaching it. These same areas have average household incomes of 32,000 - 46,000 a year for a family with 2 working adults. Just a thought, as this was very intriguing to see, and really useful for future planning, but I feel that sometimes we lose site of the 130 million + people in the US who do not make enough to live in inexpensive cities/towns, let alone in a major metropolitan area.
I was in Milwaukee for a bit this summer and I was really impressed with the bike infrastructure!
You're such a great articulator of the great benefit of bikes, and I always appreciate your unassuming approach to this topic.
You're right...there definitely are correlations between cycling-friendly cities & property prices.
I think the biggest reason biking has been growing in popularity... is mostly because cities have finally started adopting bike infrastructure, & laws that protect cyclists.
All the other reasons, like... exercise, fun, gas prices, congestion, etc... have always bedn there.
The one reason why most people quit biking... is having to always fight against traffic. Only the stubborn would continue on.
Agreed, you have to be an optimist to cycle, especially road biking.
I would suggest a good follow on to this could be smaller towns that are affordable and are bike friendly. As someone who lives on the West Coast, Eugene Oregon, and a number of towns in California come to mind. I am sure there are lots of other good candidates (eg. Boulder Colorado)
Also Davis, CA comes to mind... maybe even Folsom, CA or Hoeboken, NJ...
@@SwiftySanders if Davis bothered to actually MAINTAIN its extensive network of bicycle paths. But Americans don’t like maintaining things 😄
@@brianmiller5444 We Americans have this delusion that stuff maintains itself. They think the money we spend to build stuff is enough and that it will never need maintenance. Maintenance is ad hoc. State and Federal government have to keep passing legislation to do maintenance work and a new budget every year. Why can't we just pass financing for infrastructure in perpetuity.
Raleigh, Asheville, Savannah, Charleston, Des Moines, Albany NY, Boise
Madison is probably on that “smaller cities” list too.
semi fun fact in the netherlands prices are lower and we pay more taxes to create bike infrastructure (no news there) but the image of bike vs car is flipped. Most higher incomes are/want to be seen on bikes and many don't even own a private car. The lower/mid incomes still want to drive a car i guess partly as an image. Prices of living (esp power and heat) are going up but the tax point means that there is no massive relationship between expensive cities and cheaper cities in how well the bike infra is. I live in a somewhat expensive city called Utrecht and just adore the bike infra and even now how fast they are upgrading it and living cost doesn't effect me much since i am lucky i own my own home thats fully paid for. Keep the great content coming it seems us europeans also like to watch mostly usa aimed content for compare...
Didn’t realize you were spending time in Philly. Good stuff.
I ride to work in Denver, it’s nice to have protected lanes, they use concrete blocks to separate bike lanes from car lanes on existing roads. We also have nice multi use trails
I live in St. Louis City and pretty much bike everywhere. There's a lot of great infrastructure in the works. It's very affordable too. Great city for remote work. One nuance the video didn't cover, the county bike plan he mentioned only pertains to St. Louis County which is completely separate from the city of St. Louis - a city independent of a county.
@@PunchingCacti That's a perception problem, that is skewed by the above mention of the STL city-county split. One homicide is too many, but the perception that STL is any more "dangerous" than any other city is just wrong.
yeah I was thinking about that when he said it and it's such a weird thing to explain. But its vital that both city and county step up their game. Thankfully GRG has the ability to operate county, city, and ST Charles. the network effect really makes places more bike able.
@@PunchingCacti That's okay, they don't need you there. Stay in your basement, where it's safe.
Combining my interest in housing finance and biking infrastructure. Excellent video!
I spend time in two places. One is a city and it's very easy to get around to the basic stores by bike and has 120 miles of greenways. The other is a smaller town and it does not have infrastructure but you can go most of the places on neighborhood roads and avoid traffic while going a bit slower. So neaighborhoods with 25 mph speed limits that are strictly enforce are bike infrastucture in a way.
25mph limits and bus lanes that drivers respect are better than bike lanes, which will always be filled with debris and idiots
Chris this is fantastic, I really appreciate the national perspective and data. Would appreciate more content on your approach to walking and biking advocacy!
Portland, a beautiful place with great bike infastructure. One of the best options if you have a lot of money, which allows you to park in private parking, guarded apartment buildings, and stay safe from the crime. If you're poor, you have to live in cramped old housing, worry about your Honda civic being stolen, dodge aggressive panhandlers, and have your guard up in general. Of you're well off you can afford to avoid the worst parts of Portland.
If your poor, you have to live with it. If youre single, maybe it's worth it. If you're not rich and you have a family I can't recommend it.
All your videos are great but I found this one particularly compelling. I'd call it a video essay that covers a range of topics tied together into the theme of cycling. Well articulated and deserving an A+.
I think it would be nice if there was a national system of bike trails so people can get from one place to another on bike. Also, it would be nice if Greyhound/Trailways buses had bike racks. It would make it easier not to own a car. Also, lots more places to charge up a e-bike.
Can you do a video about the most bikeable and affordable TOWNS to live in instead of cities and towns that are connected by public transport to cities if you want to have a city life like museums when you feel like it. Thanks ! enjoyed your video.
Good research & information. Yes, getting people more comfortable with biking in urban environments takes time 👍
Whatever premium you pay to live in a bike-friendly, walkable city is usually offset by the savings from not having a car. Gas, registration, insurance, and maintenance can easily amount to several hundred dollars per month when averaged out - and that's assuming you own the car outright.
Excellent video. I’ve tried doing some of this investigation (affordable bike cities) and appreciate having it pulled together in a well-done video like this. I live near Detroit and can attest to the good work getting done in the city for cycling.
I'm almost surprised that Albuquerque, New Mexico, did not make the list. There are hundreds of miles of bike infrastructure here. Plus you can ride year round. It is also affordable too. It is why I moved here.
I'm from ABQ and was wondering if it would make the list. It's affordable and has great weather but the infrastructure is lacking. I think if you're into the outdoors and can't afford Denver it's an amazing place to live, but it doesn't compare to these other cities as far as good infrastructure and urban planning. Hopefully someday!
@@ajarob35 I moved from Norwich, Connecticut which had almost zero bike infrastructure. It's definitely an upgrade from where I moved from. But probably are other cities that have much better than here and Albuquerque. There are some areas that can be improved but overall I think it's pretty good.
As a bicycle advocate, young Chris, it would be interesting to do the same analysis with bicycle safety in the mix. 40 years ago I would bike from the ‘burbs’ into DC. Wouldn’t do it now…not safe. Not just drivers you hinted in 7:24, but persons with more nefarious intentions.
The safety thing is a viscious cycle, no pun intended. The more people who are out walking or biking, it's going to be safer. Things get more dangerous when people are isolated. The idea that there may be a witness is a strong deterant.
I like that you are realistic. As someone who has ridden 8,000+ miles each of the last two years in Minneapolis, I see the good and the not so good. I am encouraged and infuriated by our infrastructure (often in the same ride.) I am grateful for what I am able to ride on and fear for my life. Sadly even the best have a long way to go.
even tho Chitown didn't make the list, there are plenty of affordable suburban towns surrounding Chicago that you can get your bike to public transportation and go from there - all over the place there are bike paths! Illinois is also part of the Great American Trail across the US.
Honestly, I'm so glad you did a video on this topic. We have a long way to go. Thanks for helping us get started.
Wondering where Madison, WI chalks up? A little higher rent than MKE but cheaper than Denver or Portland. Very good infrastructure.
Having left the States over 30 years ago (St. Louis) for a much bike friendlier locale, I'm quite pleased to see more & more Americans getting out and cycling, and the infrastructure for this is helping pave the way. One other point....the advent of the E-Bike has allowed older folks, who would have otherwise given up on cycling, to get out there again. I know they aren't cheap, but I'm happy to see so many of these people cycling again.
Austin TX hands down, bicycle heaven. Sunny weather 300 days a year, fantastic trails, bike lanes everywhere, kind drivers, fit active people, great nightlife, great food, go see for yourself!
A bike friend city in its nature has to be more pedestrian friendly and that creates a more flexible city - Flexible living options are quite limited in North America so I think that induces demand and causes above average renting prices.
I tend to get very pessimistic about green gentrification but this comment gives me something to think about. If flexible cities were the norm, would they still cost so much more?
@@suckmyartauds if bike friendly, walkable communitites were the norm, they would not cost so much. The problem right now is that they are 'special'. Plus, maybe the city has to have more money available in the first place to do these kind of projects, so they tend to be the nicer places. The automobile companies have been allowed to dictate American life for the last 100 years, maybe people are starting to see the society geared around cars is not the best option.
Safe bicycle parking was something I was about to comment on before you mentioned it at the end of the video. When I lived in Portland I would constantly see bicycles stripped of parts that were chained up downtown, and that's only because they weren't easily stolen. When I see places like in the Netherlands I admire their bicycle garages but I also think there's a major cultural difference that keeps bicycle left much lower over there, and probably many other places.
Anecdotally, when I visited the Netherlands a long time ago (25 yrs?), my Dutch friends told me that the canals were 1/3 water, 1/3 mud, and 1/3 bikes. And the bike stores were selling locks that looked heavier than the bikes. Apparently bored teens and drunk young folks like to joyride and then toss the bike in the canal. Again, this is anecdotal and reality might be quite different.
@@billgehring9549 I've heard that too, but I think in general the theft problem is less there, unless you are parking an expensive bike, like a fat tired e-bike.
Super glad to see my hometown area on this list! Portland is indeed really affordable and bike friendly. The weather is also really kind to us in the PNW as well. One thing I'd say though is that your connections can only get you so far. Like going across the Columbia for example, the is awful and will still be with the I5BR for bikes. The Max can also be very time consuming as well if using public transit.
A car is also a great way to get out and explore the world of the PNW like Hood and the coast. So you probably shouldn't ditch your car just for a bike just because you live in one of these top spots.
Portland has an Amtrak station which is an alternative to driving in order to branch out of the city.
Great video! I currently live in Denver and bike as much as I can. They are doing a lot to improve bike infrastructure, especially downtown. We still have a ways to go when compared to European cities. They have done this in certain areas of Denver but the low hanging fruit to protecting bike lanes would be to move all vehicle parking next to the traffic lane and allow the bike lanes to be protected in between the parked vehicles and the curb. Especially along busy roads. Short term there is no need for construction, just painting crews. Long term concrete barriers or curb would be nice.
Great to see my city at #2! Definitely earned that spot. Not having to own a car allows you to spend more on a nicer apartment too, so I got a nice spot in West Downtown and bike to work every day (weather permitting, but in those instances I just take the bus)
I love the idea of this list! I also feel better now about moving to Denver next week for school. But one thing I want to point out about Denver is that their mass transit agency (RTD) does not allow ebikes (or e-scooters) on their buses and rail.
That's a shame. Without bike-on-bus I don't think I could be carfree.
Air quality in Denver is one of the worst large cities in the country and some days the worst in the world.
The biggest issue I feel with Denver's bike infrastructure is the lack of secure/safe areas to lock your bike. Bike theft here is out of control.
It is true the rules for RTD were originally written to keep Mopeds of the system and have not been updated.
I think on of the issues is there are hundreds of busses (maybe thousands) which were outfitted with bike racks pre-ebike (Denver was ahead of the game there) but these setups are not rated for the additional weight if loaded fully with ebikes. My guess is it will take years to upgrade if the money can be found. Until they can universally support ebike I expect the ban to continue.
Loved this video! Looking for bike friendly city to move to in a few years when we’re empty nesters.
Even when I was a college student back in the 90's in Sacramento, it was known as a great bike city. They have something like 70 mile long bike paths traversing the city along the river that used to be railroad tracks.
yeh no, lived in Sac my entire life. I ride my bike. it's not safe! The American River Bike trail is great but anything close to cars where you need to get things done, is super dangerous and the city doesn't care.
The original inner grid of Sacramento is very good for bicycling & walking as daily transportation, but becomes typically car-centric north of the American River and south of US-50. The fringe suburbs such as Roseville & Elk Grove might be better or even worse, but I haven’t been to either.
@@stanyu2029 "Original Inner Grid of Sacramento" I have lived here all my entire life. What are you talking about? "Original" you mean Old Sac? It is not good or safe anywhere in Sac! Name safe commuter streets. Be specific. "fringe suburbs"? You are talking about Sac right? It is all suburbs. I don't get what you mean by "fringe" there are tons of people that live out there and commute daily. And besides that, I live in South Sac. I ride my bike. IT IS NOT SAFE! If you don't know what you are talking about, you shouldn't chime in.
@Graham Farmer parts of Sac that I would ride or walk in daylight include Downtown, Sac State, Midtown, the Flats, Fab Forties, McKinley Park, and Old Town. Stay on secondary streets outside the downtown/Capitol neighborhoods, and definitely avoid the wide roads like Folsom Blvd. North of C Street and south of US-50 are clearly unfriendly to bicyclists. Homelessness along American River wasn’t as big a problem when I rode the parkway a few years ago. If you think Sac sucks for biking, try Los Angeles. I’ll trade places with you.
@@stanyu2029 Sacramento is not safe to ride bike. PERIOD. A few years ago? 2019? Homelessness was bad on America River Bike Trail. When was the last time you attempted to ride here? Because I am specifically speaking post pandemic. I used to commute to downtown daily. Used to ride to Folsom & Davis on the weekends. I don't do it anymore. It's not safe. No one said LA is the top in all US bike cities. So that is a moot point. No reason to even try and gaslight the conversation with such nonsense.
I’m happy to see Denver on this list, but as someone who lives here I’m also dying for more bike infrastructure! A lot of the bike network near me consists of shared lanes and I don’t feel totally safe sharing a lane with cars, especially when it feels like a lot of the cars who drive on side streets speed or run stop signs. Would love to see a better connection of protected bike lanes especially on the west side of I-25
I think the majority of the population lives in the west side of I-25 aside from Downtown Denver proper and most dedicated bike paths are in the west side too
great job, great video
Love hearing about Philadelphia, if you happen to do some more bike rides while you're out there for work please film!
As always, your information addresses many important points to consider! Thanks for another important & impressive video!!
I've really started taking advantage of the close proximity to my office. Granted I do still motor into the office more than I bike, but being able to ride or run into work at least once or twice a week has burdened my car less, saved me money on gas, and helped me maintain my health. Atlanta is trying but has a long way to go to make it a great city to ride in.
As cyclist living in Denver who has been considering relocating for work/fam, a huge cycling issue for me is proximity to the climbs. From downtown its only about 15 miles to Lookout Mountain or any number of spectacular cycling friendly canyons. So there is bike commuting sure, but there is also bike commuting to some seriously rad riding.
I want to mention Missoula, Montana. Not only it’s a charming small city in the Northern Rockies, it’s one of the most bike-friendly in the Interior Northwest. Not only urban bike infrastructure in Missoula is quite impressive for a small city of 75,000, but it also has hundreds of recreational mountain biking trails located within or just right outside the city. For that reason, Missoula is a HUGE community of mountain bikers!
Cold weather means you warm up as you ride. Especially with layers.
Great points. Thanks for all your research and information.
just moved to milwaukee from rural va and I love it so much. there are homicidal drivers (they will run reds regularly) and the roads are bad with potholes but I'm trying to remember the best routes for my day to day :)
I was surprised to see the author riding without a helmet in a video basically about bike convenience and safety.
Yes I also think that access to safe biking will increase home value.
Look at pictures of people cycling in Amsterdam and other european places where cycling is common, you will see very few helmets.
I was so happy to see STL on this list. Missouri has been lagging behind in bike infrastructure, but it sounds like they're finally working on it. We have more to offer than just the fabulous Katy Trail.
Great list. I live in Oakland, which is improving its bike infrastructure every month, the only downside is Bay Area rents are pure insanity.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to visiting and exploring (by bike!) many of the cities on this list.
Thank you for your comments on Philly. Another big problem is a cyclist cannot ride from the center of town to the suburbs. I can ride down 22nd st. to grocery shop via the bike lane, but have to ride through Schuylkill River Park to get back to find a bike lane.
Awesome content. Thank you. I am adding these places to my spreadsheet before making a decision. Also, great commentary
Good info. Thanks for putting it together.
I retired from a major bike company a couple years ago, it was a great setup. We got bike commuter credits, indoor bike parking a locker room with lockers and showers. Last 3 miles was through a beautiful regional park and the 1st arrivals got the pick on the free table which included bike items that couldn't be resold because of damaged packaging. Only challenge for me was it was 18 miles each way so I would park 1/2 way and ride in when the weather was decent. PS, I recommend wearing a helmet especially when riding in traffic. Heading out now for my morning ride.
I would love to see what biking is like in the cities on your list. If you cannot hit them all in a year, perhaps some guest videos would be nice.
Pittsburgh is great for biking with an amazing trail network that not only gets you where you wanna go but is fun to ride as well. BUT, you have to love hills. There is no flat ground in the whole city. You will go uphill both ways no matter where you wanna go.
As far as affordability, everyone I knew in the city got priced out by the incoming tech bros and other gentrifiers.
And even as an extremely experienced cyclist, riding in Philly scared the pants off of me.
Thanks for this thoughtful video. You are asking the right questions. I am struggliong with my city's transportation assumptions and plans.
Great question to start a video with. Do you have to be rich to be safe riding a bike? It doesn't only go for how affordable your city is but also how affordable your neighborhood is. My city is doing a good job creating new bike routes but we still have painted bike gutters or worse in poorer neighborhoods. Traffic is also routed into the poorer areas with roads kept at 4-6 lanes, basically inner city highways, while other areas receive traffic calming. Some people want it to be easy to drive at highway speeds and park anywhere EXCEPT in front of their own house which they want protected. We spend way more money protecting car people from other car people than actually putting up separated bike ways. Thankfully on a bike we can take advantage of the traffic calmed neighborhoods and breeze right through.
Drive bike and save money, its simple as that. Great vid btw. Greetings from Germany :)
Fantastic content. I live in the hilly city by the bay. We do have a good bike lane network, not great, but as a full time eBiker, I can see the potential in any city to adopt the simple idea of just get out there & enjoy the bike ride!
How do you address homelessness, when there is an endless stream coming to your community from other less hospitable communities? Say all the red states put homeless in jail, the homeless leave the red state, move to some place where they receive some benefits, then the word gets out, and more and more homeless end up in the blue city.