Imagine pedaling straight through rush-hour traffic, reducing your carbon footprint, and staying fit atop your commuter bicycle. Don’t have one? Businesses like Divvy will likely provide solutions for non-bicycle-owners in major metropolitan areas. Cities will be equipped with better cycling facilities; with added bicycle lanes, racks, and considerations for cyclists like lockers, public changing areas, and hydration facilities.

Bicycling has been essential in many European cities for a long time, but the United States has obviously preferred the personal auto. The activities of metropolitan areas across the nation, from major cities like Chicago to smaller ones like Dayton, Ohio suggest, however, that things might be changing. Bicycling.com rates the top bicycle-friendly cities, a commendation happily received as a point of pride, and suggesting that perhaps we’ll be sharing our roads with cyclists more frequently.

My love for cycling was rekindled a few years ago when I misplaced the keys to my car (rest assured, I eventually found them under the couch), and resorted to bicycling everywhere I needed to go. In the beginning, there were a lot of kinks to work out- how do I cycle in a suit? where do the groceries go?- but I eventually started figuring it out, and started to love my morning and evening commute. I found the cycling community to be full of awesome and welcoming people.

There’s something about being on top of a bike that makes everything seem just a little better, brighter, and nicer, so I hope this trend sticks around.