A new global study analyzed walking and cycling patterns in 11,587 cities across 121 countries, revealing that some cities consistently outperform others for active transportation. Dense cities with extensive bike lanes, such as Wageningen in the Netherlands and Copenhagen in Denmark, top the list, while terrain and climate have less impact than previously assumed.

The research also highlights the influence of policy and pricing: higher gas prices and investments in nonmotorized infrastructure significantly increase walking and cycling rates. Cities like Osaka, Japan, and Nairobi, Kenya, showcase how thoughtful urban design can balance pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

Lead author and Luskin professor of urban planning Adam Millard-Ball emphasizes that infrastructure drives behavior: “It’s not that Dutch people are genetically predisposed to cycling; it’s that most Dutch cities have really good infrastructure for cycling. If it were quicker and safe to walk or bike to their kids’ school or to the store or to work, then Americans would do that just as much as anyone else.”