- Provo is named a gold-level bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.
- Provo has invested over $21 million in bicycle infrastructure since 2020.
- Bicycling in Utah grew 43% in 2023 contributing $73 million to the economy.
PROVO — Another Utah city has joined the ranks as a top bicycle-friendly community, as determined by the oldest national bicycle organization in the United States.
The League of American Bicyclists named Provo a gold-level bicycle-friendly community, joining more than 400 cities and towns across the country. Park City/Snyderville Basin is the only other area in the state with that designation.
Provo has spent more than $21 million on bicycle infrastructure since 2020. The city also anticipates spending another $46 million on bicycle infrastructure improvements over the next five years.
"Becoming a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community is about creating a city that works for everyone, and it reflects years of thoughtful investment and strong partnerships focused on making Provo safer and more sustainable," Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins said in a press release. "These investments improve safety, support healthier lifestyles, connect communities and add to our quality of life."
The Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Transit Authority, Mountainland Association of Governments, Utah County, Brigham Young University, BikeWalk Provo and Provo Bike Hub partnered with the city on bicycle infrastructure projects.
The League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly America program sets standards for how communities build progress toward making biking better. Established in 1880, the league works to create safer roads while protecting and promoting bicyclists' rights.
"Building better places to bike is a shared effort," said Bill Nesper, executive director. "The communities recognized here are part of a growing national movement, taking practical steps to support bicycling as a safe, accessible, and valuable part of everyday life."
How popular is bike riding?
Bicycling continues to be a major driver of Utah's outdoor recreation economy, growing 43% in 2023 and bringing in $73 million.
The surge reflects Utah's growing reputation as a cycling destination, fueled by expanding trail systems, improved infrastructure and an increasing number of cycling events that attract bikers from across the country, including the fastest-growing National Interscholastic Cycling Association league in the nation, according to the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.
Nationally, bicycling was the fastest-growing outdoor recreation activity in 2023, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis data. That year, 54.7 million Americans participated in bicycling as an outdoor activity, per the 2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report.
Is riding a bike safe in Utah?
The League of American Bicyclists ranks Utah as the 14th most bike-friendly state in the country on its 2024 report card. It notes that the state spends the lowest amount of federal funding on biking and walking per capita, but devotes a significant amount of state funds. In November, UDOT announced the Utah Trail Network master plan, which includes 2,600 miles of new paved trails connecting with 500 miles of existing paths. The Utah Legislature allocates $45 million annually for the project.
The report card shows 0.05% of Utahns commute to work by bicycle and 8.8 fatalities per 10,000 bike commuters.
State lawmakers passed a law last year making it illegal for cars to stop, park or drive in a bike lane in an effort to make cycling safer. The risk of a crash increases significantly if cyclists are forced to merge into the car lane because a vehicle is blocking the bike lane.
Bicycles were involved in 604 crashes in Utah in 2024, resulting in 559 injuries and seven deaths, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
In addition to Provo and Park City, which were awarded gold-level status, the American Bicycling League awarded St. George and Moab silver status and Orem, Ogden, Draper and Vineyard bronze. It also designated the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah State University and Utah Valley University as bicycle-friendly campuses.
Though not on the league's list, Salt Lake City has expanded protected bike lanes and implemented Vision Zero, a strategy to improve traffic safety and eliminate crashes.
Communities that receive the award must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards and community-driven best practices, according to the league.
