We're number 36!!

... out of 50. Idaho was ranked #36 by the League of American Bicyclists, in "bike friendliness." (Down from #30 last year.) The rankings and some cool interactive charts and graphs can be seen HERE. Idaho's snapshot can be seen HERE (PDF).

Our neighbor to the northwest, Washington, was ranked #1. Another neighbor, Montana, was ranked #46. (Arkansas took the Booby Prize.)

They listed these as "signs of success":
- People Commuting by Bike (More than 1%)*
- Safe Passing/Vulnerable Road User Law
- Complete Streets Policy - Dedicated State Funding
- Active State Advocacy Group*
- State Bicycle Plan (Adopted 2002 or later)
- Share the Road Campaign*
- Bicycle Education for Police
- Bicycle Safety Emphasis in Strategic Highway Safety Plan*
- Top 10 State for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Spending
(The ones marked with asterisks are those that Idaho is recognized for.)

Strangely, Idaho's highest mark was for "education." That surprises me because I don't see much at all in the way of public education. Let me know if I'm missing something, but mostly what I see is good-hearted volunteers who are carrying the torch for educating Idaho's citizens about riding.

Poor Washington! The only direction is down for them! At least in the eyes of the LAB, Idaho still has plenty of opportunity.