Atlanta's bike network just got its annual report card, and the grade is complicated. In PeopleForBikes' 2026 City Ratings, Atlanta scored 33 out of 100 — good for 39th among large U.S. cities (300,000-plus residents) and a tie with New Orleans, Boston, San Jose, Newark, and Albuquerque.
The ratings, generated by the nonprofit's Bicycle Network Analysis software across more than 3,000 cities and towns, measure the things that make everyday riding actually feel safe: connected protected bike lanes, off-street paths, slow shared streets, and safe crossings. The benchmark to hit is 50, the threshold PeopleForBikes says indicates a network that supports accessible everyday riding. In 2026, 555 communities cleared it. Atlanta was not one of them. (Within Georgia, little Senoia leads the state at 75.)
Here's the twist: the same report named Atlanta one of just eight "Cities to Watch" nationally, citing impressive improvements — even though Atlanta ranks lowest of the eight honorees. The organization pointed to the Beltline construction surge, a run of new bike lanes including 14th Street in Midtown, Complete Streets projects, and the Southside Trail pushing toward McDonough Boulevard. PeopleForBikes called Atlanta "one of the region's most significant infrastructure opportunities," with equity implications across neighborhoods.
For downtown specifically, the number matters more than the narrative. The district is exactly where short trips — station to office, park to restaurant, hotel to arena — should be bikeable by default, and where new protected connections would move the citywide score fastest. Downtown just proved during a global tournament that it can move enormous crowds without everyone driving; a bike network that scores better than 33 is the obvious next lever.
The scores publish every summer, which makes this an annual accountability check. The infrastructure now under construction suggests next year's number should move. Watch-list status is nice. Fifty is the goal.
Original reporting: Urbanize Atlanta (June 17, 2026)