Chicago named 2nd best bike city in America

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago has been named the second best city in the nation for cycling by Bicycling magazine.

In its October edition, the magazine cites several factors for the rank, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build 100 miles of protected bike lanes by 2015 and the success of the Divvy bike-sharing system.

Active Transportation Alliance Executive Director Ron Burke said an average of 125,000 bike trips are made each day in Chicago, and that number is growing rapidly.

"Biking in Chicago, in all neighborhoods and at all times of year, is the new normal, which is a sure sign that Chicago is a more livable, vibrant place. We're thrilled to have worked with the city administration and aldermen to help make these improvements," Burke said.

The city plans to have a 645-mile network of biking facilities in place by 2020.

Chicago ranked fifth in 2012. The magazine ranks the nation's top 50 cities for cycling every two years.

Here are Bicycling magazine's top 10 bike cities for 2014:

New York City

Chicago

Minneapolis

Portland

Washington D.C.

Boulder

San Francisco

Seattle

Fort Collins, Colo.

Cambridge, Mass.