After being last in line in 2012 in terms of bicycle friendliness, Arkansas has made the second-largest leap in the country to accommodate those who put their pedals to the pavement, a news release from the state Highway and Transportation Department states.
The state moved up 13 spots and now ranks 37th in the country in an annual survey conducted by the League of American Bicyclists.
Highway Department officials attribute the improvement to recent changes in infrastructure and funding, education, promotional programs and the passing and enforcement of bicycle-safety laws.
“The bicycling culture in Arkansas has grown more popular in recent years and we are responding,” department Director Scott Bennett said in the release.
“Arkansas has made great strides toward becoming a more bicycle friendly state, and we need to continue to build on this momentum. Although our resources are extremely limited, we hope the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department can continue to play a role in this progress toward providing a convenient and safe infrastructure for bicyclists in Arkansas," Bennett said.
The department says it plans to make additional statewide improvements for both bicyclists and pedestrians.
To see how Arkansas compares to other states, see the survey at bikeleague.org.