For kids, bikes are the best and sometimes only form of independent transportation. For quick trips to the park or a best friend’s house, a two-wheeler or even a trike can’t be beat.
Once most Americans hit age 16, the car is often preferred. But as gas prices and environmental concerns increase, the bike has come back in popularity for the 16-and-older set.
Many cities have embraced the rise in bicycle commuting by installing bike lanes, starting shared-bicycle programs and offering storage. Even if your city isn’t on the most “bike-friendly” list, the number of homes and apartments catering to cyclists is increasing nationwide.
In honor of Bike to Work Week, we’ve rounded up cycle-convenient cribs in the five most bikeable cities, according to Walk Score’s 2013 rankings.
Portland, OR
Portland is often No. 1 or 2 most bikeable city, which is determined based on the number of bikers on the road, bike lanes, hills, connecting roads and destinations. This year, Portland scored highest, which isn’t surprising given its growing bike culture, due in part to the popular TV show “Portlandia.” The bike-friendly city boasts that 6 percent of its commuters go by bike, in comparison to the .05 percent that bike to work nationally.
3738 SE Lincoln St, Portland OR 97214
For sale: $299,900
