Bike Score
In the context of location intelligence and home buying, Bike Score is a rating system that evaluates the bicycling environment of a particular address or neighborhood. It provides insights into how convenient and safe it is to ride a bicycle in that area, considering various factors that contribute to a bike-friendly community.
Key aspects of Bike Score include:
- Bike lanes and trails: The presence and quality of dedicated bike lanes, off-street paths, and bike-friendly routes are essential factors in determining the Bike Score of a location.
- Topography: The hilliness or flatness of an area can significantly impact the ease and enjoyment of bicycling. Bike Score takes into account the topography of a location, with flatter areas generally receiving higher scores.
- Connectivity: A well-connected network of streets and bike paths that allow for efficient and safe navigation by bicycle is another crucial aspect of a high Bike Score.
- Destination accessibility: Bike Score considers the proximity of a location to common destinations such as shops, restaurants, schools, and workplaces, and how easily these can be reached by bicycle.
- Bike commuting mode share: The percentage of people who commute to work by bicycle in an area is also factored into the Bike Score, as it indicates the overall bicycling culture and infrastructure support.
When evaluating a potential home or neighborhood, a high Bike Score suggests that the area is well-suited for bicycling as a mode of transportation and recreation. This can be particularly appealing to individuals who value an active lifestyle, reduced transportation costs, and a lower environmental impact.