Ray Delahanty Names Minneapolis Best City for Cycling

The Portland-based transportation planner highlighted the city's network of two-way protected bike lanes.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Cycling

Ray Delahanty Names Minneapolis Best City for Cycling

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Urban planner Ray Delahanty has identified Minneapolis as the top city for cycling in the United States. He credits the city's success to its specialized infrastructure and traffic calming measures that prioritize cyclists.

Why it matters

The recognition underscores the impact of strategic urban design on municipal transit rankings. Delahanty suggests these specific infrastructure improvements have allowed the city to surpass former leaders like Portland.

Minneapolis previously earned the 4th spot on the CityNerd list of undervalued U.S. cities. The city has seen a shift in its cycling reputation relative to Portland over the last 8 to 10 years.

The players

Ray Delahanty

He is a Portland-based transportation planner who produces the CityNerd YouTube channel.

The details

Delahanty, who operates the CityNerd YouTube channel, noted that Minneapolis uses raised, sidewalk-level bike infrastructure to separate road users from sidewalk traffic. The city also implemented traffic calming by narrowing or eliminating driveways to reduce vehicle speeds.

2016-2018 marked the timeframe when Minneapolis likely surpassed Portland as a top cycling city.
October 2026 is when the evaluation was published.

Season Trajectory

The city's infrastructure approach follows the design principles established by the Netherlands cycling infrastructure standards. This shift marks a departure from traditional road design and signals a move toward international best practices in urban mobility.

Residents can expect improved physical separation between bike lanes and vehicle traffic at key sites like the Lake Nokomis area. These infrastructure changes are designed to force slower vehicle speeds and create safer passage near major landmarks such as the IDS Tower.

The takeaway

Well-executed traffic calming and protected lanes can significantly elevate a city's status for alternative transportation. Residents interested in urban planning can look for these design features to improve local safety and accessibility.