Cycling on dedicated bike lanes has become a popular trend for commuting in the U.S.

The United States is a car-centric country, often called a "nation on wheels," but it is also a place where cycling is quite popular. There are many people who enjoy riding bikes, although unlike in many other countries, cycling in the U.S. is mainly a hobby and sport rather than a daily means of transportation for commuting, shopping, or running errands—cars still dominate those activities. However, in recent years, there has been strong advocacy across American society to promote bike commuting. As a result, the number of people cycling to work in cities has gradually increased, becoming a noticeable trend. To encourage more people to ride bicycles, the League of American Bicyclists has designated May as National Bike Month, with one day each year celebrated as National Bike to Work Day. This year, National Bike to Work Day falls on May 17th.
  According to statistics from the League of American Bicyclists, there are currently 57 million cyclists in the U.S., and their reasons for cycling vary widely, including fitness, sports, environmental concerns, saving on gasoline, leisure, and adding joy to life. Cycling enthusiasts have spontaneously formed numerous clubs and associations. Every weekend, they plan cycling routes and gather at designated spots before setting off together—groups can range from just over ten to over a hundred people, making quite a sight. In more densely populated cities, it’s common to see large groups of cyclists wearing helmets and colorful outfits riding en masse on weekends, which is quite an eye-catching scene.
  To provide cyclists with a safe, convenient, and smooth riding environment, many dedicated bike lanes or shared lanes for cars and bikes have been developed across the country. Bicycling magazine annually ranks cities with populations over 95,000 based on two criteria: bicycle infrastructure and cycling culture—to determine which cities are the most bike-friendly. The top city last year was Portland, Oregon, which boasts about 290 kilometers of shared car-bike paths and nearly 130 kilometers of dedicated bike lanes. Portland was also the first city in the U.S. to establish bike waiting zones at intersections. Washington, D.C., ranked fourth on the list, while Arlington County in Northern Virginia was honored as the most bike-friendly county.
  In addition to urban areas, the U.S. also has cross-city, cross-county, and cross-state bike routes, somewhat similar to the interstate highway system. These bike paths traverse cities, suburbs, and rural areas, forming the “U.S. Bicycle Route System.” Currently, the U.S. Bicycle Route System includes 10 routes across nine states: Alaska, Kentucky, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Virginia. Additionally, 40 other states are working on developing their own bicycle route systems.
  Like the interstate highway system, the U.S. Bicycle Route System is numbered by the Special Committee on Route Numbering of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. These numbered routes are called “U.S. Bicycle Routes.” The numbering system began in 1982 with just two routes, expanding by 2012 to include eight main routes and two spur routes.
  Take U.S. Bicycle Route 1, for example—it is the longest bike route in the U.S., stretching along the East Coast from Maine in the north to Florida in the south, covering a distance of over 2,000 kilometers. It passes through the states of Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia, and has been officially recognized as an interstate route by federal authorities. With this route, cyclists can explore the eastern states of the U.S. by bike.