The City of Minneapolis has been named one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities by the Copenhagenize Index, an internationally recognized evaluation of 100 cities from 44 countries. In its 2025 edition, the index ranked Minneapolis as the #2 biking city in the U.S., #5 in North America and #44 globally.
“In Minneapolis, biking is part of our DNA — it shapes how we design our streets and how we invest in our future,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Rankings like this don’t happen by chance. They’re the result of deliberate planning, strong policy, and a city that’s determined to keep pedaling forward.”
“The City Council has been making significant investments in our bike infrastructure, and this ranking is a reflection of that,” said City Council President Elliott Payne, Ward 1. “As a full time biker myself, making our City safer to bike for everyone is personal for me and I’m excited for us to continue on this important progress.”
The Copenhagenize Index evaluated 100 cities using 13 different benchmarks involving safety and infrastructure, usage and reach, and public policy. The City of Minneapolis’ bicycle infrastructure and investment on Bryant Avenue were specifically highlighted by the index as a “success story” and "model of safe, green, and inclusive street design.”
“Minneapolis is quickly becoming one of the United States leading cycling cities. Cycling has been mainstreamed into multiple departments in City Hall...” the index states. “Over the past years, the city has been using major corridor reconstruction projects as opportunities to put in place safer, greener, and more equitable streets.”
Earlier this year, Minneapolis ranked #2 in Best Places to Bike, Large U.S. Cities in the 2025 PeopleForBikes City Ratings. The League of American Bicyclists has also ranked Minneapolis as a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community.
“I love that Minneapolis is getting the credit it deserves for being a great place to bike,” said Council Member Katie Cashman, Ward 7. “It’s especially exciting to see the Bryant Ave design get international recognition. It’s further proof that bike friendly infrastructure is the way of the future!”
“In Minneapolis, biking isn’t an alternative – it's a primary mode of transportation. This ranking reflects our commitment to designing and building a city where everyone can safely walk or bike around the city with confidence, joy, and ease,“ said Tim Sexton, Director of Public Works.
Biking is a healthy, cost-effective way to get around our beautiful city. Minneapolis has 89 miles of trails, 36 miles of curb-protected bikeways and paths, and over 140 miles of painted bike lanes. These numbers are only growing as new projects are completed.
Just in the past year, the city’s bike network has been improved by a variety of projects including:
- 1st Avenue NE and Hennepin Avenue in Northeast
- 24th Street E in Phillips
- 34th Street E and 10th Avenue S in Powderhorn
- Hennepin Avenue completed through Uptown
- 1st Avenue S completed through Whittier
- Bicycle connection on Hennepin Avenue and Dunwoody Boulevard is completed through Loring Park
- University Avenue SE/4th Street SE/Oak Street SE bikeways are completed in Dinkytown and Stadium Village
- Kenilworth Trail will soon reopen after many years of closure
Residents have also responded enthusiastically to the City’s shared bike and scooter program. This year, residents set a new record of shared trips: 1.8 million rides covering 1.8 million miles. This is a 50% increase in the number of rides taken since last year, beating the previous record of 1.2 million rides covering 1.7 million miles.
More information on bicycling in Minneapolis can be found on the city’s website.