Arkansas report card
League of American Bicyclists
The latest rankings among bicycle friendly states show that Arkansas is making great strides to accommodate cyclists.
The state moved up 13 places from the bottom of the list and now ranks 37th in an annual nationwide survey conducted by the League of American Bicyclists. It’s the second-largest jump in the nation, according to a news release from the state Highway and Transportation Department.
Officials said the increased rank can be attributed to improved infrastructure and funding that provide bicycle facilities; education and programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle safety laws.
“The bicycling culture in Arkansas has grown more popular in recent years and we are responding,” said department director Scott Bennett.
“Arkansas has made great strides toward becoming a more bicycle friendly state, and we need to continue to build on this momentum. Although our resources are extremely limited, we hope the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department can continue to play a role in this progress toward providing a convenient and safe infrastructure for bicyclists in Arkansas,” said Bennett.
The department says the next step is to work with the state’s Parks and Tourism Department to develop a blueprint for how state agencies, local governments and other organizations can work to improve the environment for both cyclists and pedestrians.
As for the rest of the country, Washington holds the lead for the sixth year in a row, but up-and-coming states – including Delaware, Illinois and Arizona – pedaled their way into the top 10 in 2013.
To see the full rankings and how each state scored in the five evaluation categories, visit bikeleague.org.
