Chicago has long been regarded as a less-than-ideal city for cycling, according to many of its residents. Despite having a few appealing off-street paths like the Lakefront Trail and the Bloomingale/606, the city still faces challenges when it comes to creating a connected network of low-stress routes. Additionally, the substantial risk from reckless and distracted drivers adds to the fear of biking in this urban environment.
The People for Bikes organization has released its City Ratings, placing Chicago near the bottom of its rankings while favoring cities with poorer cycling conditions in their assessments. For the 2025 report, Chicago scored just 11 out of 100 points, ranking below numerous cities known for their car-centric culture, including Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, all of which have lower cycling mode shares and, in some cases, higher fatality rates.
In June 2023, Streetsblog Chicago expressed its disbelief at the rating system used by People for Bikes, criticizing its reliance on a minor speed limit difference as a determining factor in assessing cycling environments. This criticism continues as Chicago finds itself tied for seventh from last among 74 U.S. cities with populations over 300,000, alongside Houston, which has a considerably higher rate of cycling fatalities despite a smaller population.
The Chandler, Arizona-based organization, People for Bikes, has faced scrutiny for its approach and methodology in rating cycling environments. They place significant value on speed limits in their evaluation process, implying that if a city’s default speed limit is higher than 25 mph, it detracts from its cycling friendliness.
Street safety experts note that speed is a pivotal concern in traffic fatalities, and lower vehicle speeds can enhance safety for all road users. Streetsblog Chicago acknowledges the importance of reducing speed limits—a proposal that has recently stalled in the Chicago City Council following a closely contested vote.
In a July 16 article published by People for Bikes, the organization referenced Chicago as a case study for broader principles they advocate for improving conditions for cyclists. While acknowledging that Chicago has made progress with bike projects over the last three years, they highlighted the fragmented nature of the bike network, which remains a concern.
Although People for Bikes presented Chicago as an example of how cities can improve cycling infrastructure, their rankings and conclusions appear to lack a nuanced understanding of local conditions. They reference various cities with relatively high scores, such as Seattle and San Francisco, citing their accomplishments without recognizing similar efforts made by Chicago in the past.
The recent ratings seem to reflect an inconsistency in the evaluation process, as Chicago continues to make strides in establishing protected bike lanes while also facing challenges in making those connections work within the broader transport network. Streetsblog Chicago urges People for Bikes to reconsider their methodology, suggesting that a more accurate assessment would reflect the realities of Chicago’s cycling environment rather than relying heavily on speed limits.
Furthermore, the disparities noted in the recent City Ratings call into question the ability of People for Bikes to assess cycling safety accurately. For example, the rating system currently in use might place more weight on speed limits than on the actual biking experience in disjointed or unsafe areas.
This ongoing dialogue highlights a critical issue in urban cycling: the need for an approach that accurately and comprehensively rates and advocates for better cycling infrastructure. The community will benefit more from a rating system that considers both safety and accessibility in a balanced manner.
Even as Chicago continues to face significant challenges, advocates assert that there remain many opportunities to build a better cycling environment—the recent addition of nearly 15 miles of protected bike lanes, for instance, demonstrates this potential for growth.
Ultimately, Streetsblog Chicago calls for a reevaluation of how organizations like People for Bikes assess cities. Ensuring inputs reflect the local context can lead to better outcomes for cyclists and a more accurate portrayal of each city’s commitments and progress in improving cycling conditions.
image source from：chi
