Bicycling Magazine (that tome of finicky carbon fork reviews and training schedules for people with unlimited spare riding time), is out with its list of "America's Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities." 

Chicago (barely) made the top ten... so let's evaluate each Metropolis that made the top of the list:

1. Minneapolis.  BM says it's the best because the cycling community stays vibrant despite gnarly winter conditions.  I can see why people bike there -- the city has a laid-back attitude, and its outdoorsy.  I'm pretty sure that you could walk into a brew pup in full cycling gear and grab a beverage, and nobody would bat an eyelash.  Works for me.

2. Portland.  This is a no-brainer, and I'm actually surprised it's not #1.  Being from the Northwest, I can tell you that people in Portland are super-active in advocating for bike lanes, etc., and talk about folks who like the outdoors - whew.  When Nike and Northface fleece is acceptable cocktail wear, you can bet cycling is embraced.

3. Boulder.  I've never been to Boulder, but I hear it is absolutely gorgeous, and many Pro racers live and train here, so it's gotta be epic.

4. Seattle.  My home town.  I have to say I'm surprised it's this high.  Residents there do love the outdoors, yes, but the bike lanes are seriously lacking.  One long winding trail through the entire city is great - but it's so clogged with power-walkers and golden retrievers it's barely a cycling option.  Could be BM is anticipating $420 million in improvements Sea-town has planned for the upcoming decade.

5. Eugene.  OK, this is kinda weird because I think of Eugene as a "college town" (the University of Oregon) and not so much a city.  I think that should be a whole separate category.  Anyhoo... since it's on the list, I have to say, again, no shock here.  Eugene is a bastion of organic-produce-buying, gear-loving folk, and again, as in most college towns, biking around town is pretty much standard. 

6. San Francisco.  Jeez.  West Coast bias anyone?  But can you really argue with this?  I mean, I blog all the time about the revolutionary alternative transit projects the city funds, and anyone who's been to San Fran knows that cyclists there are very aggressive.  Also, surrounding Bay Area towns are very welcoming to the tribe...just try finding a coffee shop in Sausalito not overrun by spandex on any given weekend.

                                                                                           Madison, WI Skyline

7. Madison.  Alright!  Back in the Midwest... but back to what I also consider a college town.  Certainly Madison has all of the "granola credentials" and the infastructure to be in the top 10.  Any city where residents/students take Halloween and craft beer deadly seriously is all right by me.

8. NYC.  Gotta have the Big Apple on this list - of course Central Park is car-free, but according to BM, transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan is going beyond those trails, and trying to turn New York into a "world class bike city."

9.  Tuscon.  This one came a bit out of left field for me.  BM cites 700 miles of designated bike-ways, but I'm guessing the stellar weather has a lot to do with this ranking.

10. Chicago.  Here we are, cracking the top ten.  BM namechecks Mayor Daley and his cycling advocacy.  I do think Chicago is right where it should be on the list.  We do have a good network of bike lanes, and a very passionate cycling community.  There is easy access to racing in the area, both semi-pro and amateur, and plenty of awesome bike shops around the city and the suburbs.  Could things improve?  Yeah.  You still get some weird looks for running errands in bike shoes and tights, and everytime I tell people I ride to work the reaction is still incredulous.  Why does it have to be that big of a deal?  When biking becomes a totally normal/practical/safe mode of transport for more people, a move up the list could be forthcoming.

What do you think... is Chicago too high, too low on this list?  Are there any cities that should be in this Top 10 instead?  I'd love to hear from you.