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Ames

Iowa, United States

Size: Midsize City

Region: Midwest

64

City Rating
201

Overall City RankingOut of 2901 cities — 93rd percentile

76

In the U.S.

31

In the Midwest

4

In Iowa


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2024 City on the Rise

Ames achieved an impressive improvement in their City Ratings score over the last four years, growing from a score of 40 in 2020 to a score of 66 in 2024. Bike projects are a major component of the city’s Capital Improvements Plan, with approximately 10% of the total budget earmarked for new bike facilities each year. While it isn't as big as other larger Midwest cities, Ames’ population is big enough to be considered a metropolitan area, giving city staff access to transportation planning and analysis tools that allow them to better map stress levels on local streets and plan improvements that can make the biggest impact on improving bicycling.

64

Network ScoreAverage Network Score for all cities in 2025 was 30.

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72

People

Access to parts of the city where residents live.

66

Opportunity

Access to jobs and schools.

57

Core Services

Access to places that serve basic needs, like hospitals and grocery stores.

80

Recreation

Access to recreational amenities like parks and trails.

52

Retail

Access to major shopping centers.

57

Transit

Access to major transit hubs.


Ames, IA

City Rating Through Time

Score changes over time reflect investments in bike infrastructure, adjustments to speed limits, and OpenStreetMap data quality improvements.

Ames, IA
Portland, ME
Fayetteville, AR
Somerville, MA
201820192020202120222023202420250102030405060708090100

Network Analysis

This interactive map shows high-stress and low-stress areas for bicycling in Ames. If you'd like to see interactive versions of this map with additional street-level data, explore PeopleForBikes' BNA tool.

GBIP Infrastructure Project Logo

Explore new bike projects near you in Ames