What’s happening: The small Northern Michigan town of Harbor Springs has been named the 7th Best Bike Town in the United States, joining the ranks of more well-tread destinations like Park City, Utah, and Aspen in
a recently published article from Outside Magazine.
How it works: The magazine’s National Parks columnist and lifetime cyclist Graham Averill determined the “10 Best Bike Towns in America, Ranked” by analyzing data pulled from multiple sources, including
People for Bikes,
League of American Bicyclists, and
Trailforks. Averill capped town populations at 100,000 to keep the ranking’s focus on American small towns.
Why Harbor Springs: Averill cites Harbor Spring’s
“outstanding score” in People for Bikes’ latest ranking of bike-friendly American cities, where Harbor Springs scored in the 100th percentile. Harbor Springs scored a 92 out of 100 in their scoring system, placing it 3rd out of 2,579 cities ranked in the U.S.
And while the city’s in-town biking scores are higher than just about anywhere else, Harbor Spring’s 54 off-road trails are yet another reason for its selection. The Highlands resort plays a big role here, with its 22 miles of mountain bike trails and its lift-served Bike Park as key reasons for Harbor Spring being named 7th Best Bike Town in America.
What they’re saying: “I'm excited to see our mountain biking trails and Bike Park recognized as a top destination,” says Julie Rogers, director of marketing for The Highlands. “Our trails offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned riders, and the Bike Park is a place where families can come together and enjoy the outdoors. We take pride in being able to provide an accessible and fun experience here in northern Michigan.”
The Highlands Bike Park is located at 600 Highlands Dr. in Harbor Springs.
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