Cyclists know that the best parts about living in any Arizona city are the open trails, supportive fellow cyclists, and agreeable weather year-round. Those already living in Tucson have all that and much more. Tucson was listed as one of the top-ranking U.S. cities for bicycling by City Ratings, which is an initiative developed by the advocacy group PeopleforBikes. Tucson earned an overall score of 3.3, putting it in fifth place on the list behind other bike-friendly cities like Boulder, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. The city scored well in categories like safety, cycling network, outreach, ridership, and biking infrastructure improvements. If you’re thinking about moving to Tucson, find out why this city is a great place for cyclists.

Ridership

Bike in front of home

According to Governing, there are over 6,111 bicycle commuters in the city of Tucson. The number of residents who bike to work has increased over the years as well. In 2006, bike commuters made up only about 1.58 percent, and by 2011, bicycle commuters made up 2.77 percent of commuters in Tucson. With an increasing number of residents choosing to bike to work instead of driving, it’s clear to see that the cycling community in Tucson is on the rise.

Bike Trails

Biker on Cactus Forest Drive, Saguaro National Park, Arizona

The city’s increased ridership may be due to its bike-friendly streets as well as its adventurous mountainscapes and desert trails. Not only is biking to work convenient for residents, but they also have plenty of trails throughout the city and surrounding areas for outdoor recreation.

The Sweetwater Trail System is a short series of loop trails in West Tucson that can be enjoyed by any level of rider because of its well-maintained trails and beautiful scenery. The 7.5-mile ride was ranked fifth best trail in Arizona by the MTB Project. The Golder Ranch Trail System in Catalina State Park is for more experienced riders and features a wide variety of trails with technical challenges and desert scenery. Entrance to the trail can be found near neighborhoods La Reserve and Rams Canyon in Oro Valley. 

Community & Network

Tucson's only public marketplace

Not only does Tucson have amazing trails and spaces to ride, but the city also has a supportive and welcoming community. The city hosts several cycling-focused events that not only cater to locals but also attract visitors from across the country. Cyclovia Tucson is a bike event where the city closes down streets to motor vehicles in order to encourage people to get out and ride their bikes, allowing them to explore their neighborhoods. Miles and Rincon Heights are just some of the participating neighborhoods in this event.

Bike Fest Tucson takes place in April and brings community members together to create and share their favorite bike events, including rides to eateries and shops, a BMX show, bike maintenance classes, karaoke rides, a scavenger hunt, a bike-in movie, and a bike ride to work with the mayor. 

Pedaling the Pueblo is a mini-program and podcast that connects people to news and information about Tucson’s bicycle culture with content driven by the community.

Last but not least is the world-renowned, annual biking event El Tour De Tucson. The longest and largest bicycling event in Arizona with over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from across the United States and the globe, pedal distances of 100, 75, 50, or 25 miles throughout the city of Tucson. Raising over $77 million for over 50 different nonprofit organizations over the years, the event has the city streets through Tucson, parts of Oro Valley, and Marana lined with supporters cheering on the riders.

Safety & Education

Safe bike lane

The city takes bike safety seriously with Pima County sponsoring a wide range of bike safety and education classes, programs, and events including classes for beginners, children, and university students, as well as workshops on bicycle maintenance. Some classes even include free helmets, bike locks, and lights. Also, Pima County may dismiss civil traffic citations issued to bicyclists and pedestrians who complete the diversion program offered by the EZ AZ traffic school.

The county’s youth programs also include Safe Routes to School, a program that encourages daily physical activity and the development of healthy habits in children by promoting regular walking and biking to school. The El Grupo Youth Summer Bike Camp is another great city program that helps build confidence and knowledge in kids by helping them develop safe-riding skills, mechanical knowledge, and bike handling for each skill level.

Finally, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild included Tucson along with 200 other cities across the country in the Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets. Over the next year, Tucson is committed to improving the safety, convenience, and comfort of bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Bike Share Programs

Tucson bike share program

Last November the city unveiled Tugo Bike Share, Tucson’s first bike share program. The bike share program features a total of 330 bikes and 36 stations spread across 13 Tucson neighborhoods. The bikes are available 24/7 and the program offers a variety of passes ranging from daily passes for short-term rides to monthly and annual passes for long-term riders. There’s also an access pass option for those who receive state benefits, making it affordable and accessible to everyone in the city.

Locations for the bike stations were selected based on proximity to community resources, employment centers, and bike infrastructure. Some of the neighborhoods that have Tugo stations include Sam Hughes, University, Downtown Tucson, South Tucson, and Menlo Park. 

Bike Infrastructure & Improvements

Bike parking

The Department of Transportation has promoted the use of bicycles by adding bicycle parking throughout the city and region. The Bicycle/Pedestrian Program has installed over 800 new bike parking spaces since 2007 and encourages residents to request new locations as they deem necessary. They also have a portfolio of bicycle transportation projects that are either in the works or have recently been completed, making it easy for residents to see what’s going on with the bike improvements in their neighborhood.

One project was The Chuck Huckelberry Loop which includes more than 120 miles of paved pathways and bike lanes with an additional 11 miles planned. Connecting parks, trailheads, bus and bike routes, workplaces, restaurants, schools, hotels, shopping areas, and entertainment venues, the Loop follows the Pantano Wash through East Tucson neighborhoods like Civano, Kenyon Terrace, and  Catalina Vistas, along the Tanque Verde Wash through North Tucson neighborhoods like Hacienda del Rio and Shirley Manor, and along I-10 south to neighborhoods like Barrio Hollywood, and Rancho Rio.