Bike Confidently

BikeArlington strives to introduce new people to bicycling and encourage those who haven’t ridden in a long time to get back in the saddle. Our mission is to reach the “Interested but Concerned” bicyclist. 

This perspective on bicycling— “Interested but Concerned” —was identified in a well-known 2012 study by researchers Jennifer Dill and Nathan MacNeil. They found that 56 percent of people surveyed expressed these sentiments about bikes: They were curious about them. They said they liked to ride but had some hesitation and didn’t ride regularly.  

If this describes you, we hope you will explore the biking resources on our website, register for one of our low-cost spring adult bike classes, and use our new Bicycle Comfort Level Map to find the best places to ride a bike in Arlington. With 60 miles of on-street bike lanes and nearly 40 miles of paved, multi-use trails, Arlington offers many options. Whether you prefer a commuter bike, an e-bike, a trike, or a recumbent bike, we are confident that there’s a bike out there that will meet your needs.   

Arlington County’s 2024 Bicycle Comfort Level Map 

Published in the fall of 2024, BikeArlington’s newest Bicycle Comfort Level Map is a resource that will help you determine the most comfortable places to ride. The map uses a data-driven system to categorize street and trail segments as “Most Comfortable,” “Comfortable,” “Less Comfortable,” or “Not Recommended,” based on their suitability for bicycling. 

This map is a departure from past BikeArlington Comfort Level Maps because it relies on data to determine bicycle comfort instead of generating ratings based on the opinions of individual cyclists who may have conflicting views. Using data makes the map’s ratings more consistent across the board.  

Through research and discussion, 12 factors were selected for this map’s data inputs. Read more about them here. Nearly all were roadway features or conditions that would affect a person’s experience riding a bicycle, such as the presence (or absence) of bike lanes; vehicle speeds; traffic volume; slope (or lack thereof); pavement condition; and more. 

How To Use This Map 

The Bicycle Comfort Level map can help you plan your next bike ride in Arlington, whether you’re commuting to work, running an errand, or trying to find a route for your student to bike to school. Check out the methodology to see examples of the different comfort level classifications. 

If you haven’t ridden in a long time and are hesitant, start by riding on trails and green routes, considered the most comfortable. Refer to the map to find out where Arlington’s bike lanes are and seek them out when planning your trips. When you feel ready, you can graduate to some of the busier roads with cars—the maroon routes. And if you know that will never appeal to you, that’s fine too. Your cycling journey is your own.  

Whatever your comfort level, this map shows that there are many great places to ride a bike in Arlington—from quiet neighborhood streets to streets with bike lanes to trails.  

To view the new Bicycle Comfort Level map and start planning your personal biking journey, click here.