Cyclists may want to book this Wisconsin city for their next trip: Washburn, a city on the shores of Lake Superior, ranks as the sixth best place in the world for cyclists. according to a new world ranking.
Washburn was also classified as fifth best in the country and overall the best of 64 Wisconsin cities evaluated by PeopleForBikes, a national organization that works to improve conditions for bicyclists. The organization analyzed the quality and connectivity of bicycle networks in 2,579 cities around the world for this year’s ranking.
In addition to being located on the lake, the northern Wisconsin city is about an hour’s drive (or a couple hours by bike) from the Chequamegon National Forest. And in addition to its proximity to natural places, Washburn received a “Network Score” of 89 out of 100 for its bike accessibility to residential areas, shopping centers and basic services such as hospitals and grocery stores.
What are biking conditions like in other Wisconsin cities?
Washburn was the only Wisconsin city to rank in the top 10 in the US.
Ashland, a city just over 10 miles from Washburn, ranked second in Wisconsin and 13th in the country. Ranked third in Wisconsin, Shorewood ranked 22nd best in the country and 60th best in the world.
Milwaukee, though just a short drive and bike ride from Shorewood, ranked 46th in the state and 248th in the country.
Milwaukee leaders have been working since last year to build out the city’s bike lanes, with a focus on adding more “protected bike lanes,” which include a physical barrier between bikes and moving vehicles. The Department of Public Works has nearly 50 street projects planned for this year with the goal of reducing reckless driving and creating bike-friendly roads.
Beating Milwaukee, Madison ranked 13th best in the state and 86th best in the country. Madison also deciphered the “Cities on the rise”list: Rewards the city for making concerted investments in bicycle infrastructure and significantly improving its score in recent years.
According to PeopleForBikes, here are the 10 best cities for cyclists in the US:
Where and when to ride a bike in Washburn
Washburn has embraced its cycling identity: Every June, the city hosts the Superior Vistas Bike Tour, a tour of Bayfield County with nine different routes with varying levels of difficulty. This year’s trip was on June 22, but interested passengers can stay tuned for bike tour website for registration details for next year.
Even if you missed the iconic June ride, Washburn offers year-round bike trails for all ages, according to the Washburn Chamber of Commerce. Riders can opt for the city’s smoother paved roads or venture onto steeper trails in nearby Mounts Ashwabay and Valhalla for a more challenging ride.
You can also check out the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association. trail maps for routes near Washburn, or visit Washburn Area Commerce during your visit for printed copies of maps, routes and self-guided tours. The Commerce Building is located at 100 W. Bayfield St., Washburn.
For a roundup of warm-weather bike rides around the state, try these paved trails.
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