New Hampshire Not So Bike-Friendly

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New Hampshire is in the bottom half of the country when it comes to bicycling.

Only two cities—Concord and Keene—earned the “Bicycle Friendly Communities” designation from the League of American Bicyclists. The organization ranked the Granite State No. 27 in its annual survey of how accommodating states are to bicyclists. Washington ranked No. 1; Alabama was the worst.

Two New Hampshire employers—the U.S. Forestry Services Lab in Durham and S&W Sports in Concord—also earned bicycle friendly status. No colleges or universities in New Hampshire earned the designation.

The league said shared road design, education, and advocacy—among other factors—make a community bicycle friendly.

Despite New Hampshire’s relatively low ranking, several state groups are promoting bicycling this month as part of National Bike Month this month. Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes is holding a ”commuter challenge” this week encouraging residents to bike instead of driving a car. Several free breakfast events will be held Friday.

Photo: League of American Bicyclists