When people talk about real estate, the word you hear most is walkability. Can you walk to coffee? To school? To dinner downtown? It's a fair question — but here in the Bay Area, I think we're leaving half the story on the table. What about bikeability?
I'll admit, I'm not a neutral observer on this one.
I've been on a bike for as long as I can remember — from racing BMX as a kid to competing in mountain bike races today (yes, the competition has gotten a little grayer and more wrinkled, but no less fierce). Cycling isn't just a hobby for me. It's shaped how I think about neighborhoods, commutes, and ultimately, where Nancy and I chose to raise our family.
Back in 2000, we moved to South Santa Clara County, partly because I was working at Specialized Bicycle Components — a company that's done as much as any to shape modern cycling and make riding accessible to people at every level. It felt right to plant roots somewhere that matched that lifestyle. And the Bay Area delivers. This is, after all, where mountain biking was born, on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County. That legacy is still alive in the trails, paths, and road routes woven throughout the region.
The Listing That Made It Click
The idea of a formal bikeability framework had been rattling around in my head for a while, but it crystallized when I listed a home in my own neighborhood, Amberwood Glen. What makes our neighborhood special isn't just the homes — it's the lifestyle behind them. Literally behind them: the developer had the foresight to carve about 20 feet from the back or side of each parcel into a community easement, creating a private network of paved paths that weave through the whole neighborhood.
They were originally intended for horses — and our horse Gibby is, I'm proud to say, still carrying on that tradition as the neighborhood's lone equestrian. But what we see most on those paths today are bikes. Kids looping around after school. Neighbors out for an evening spin. It's quiet, connected, and an amazing way to live.
That listing made me ask: why don't we have a way to measure this?
Introducing the Bikeability Score
Walkability is about proximity — how close are you to the things you need? Bikeability is about connection — how freely can you move through and beyond your neighborhood? You can live farther from things and still have remarkable access, if the infrastructure supports it. A single good bike route can completely change how a neighborhood feels.
So I've built a framework. When I evaluate a home or neighborhood for bikeability, I look at five things:
Everyday Access — Can you realistically bike to the places you go most? Schools, grocery stores, coffee, parks, downtown?
Safety and Infrastructure — Are there dedicated bike lanes or protected paths? Low-traffic streets? Safe crossings?
Connectivity — Does the neighborhood link up to broader trail systems or bike networks, or does it dead-end?
Ride Experience — Is it actually enjoyable to be out there? Scenic routes, quiet streets, variety for different kinds of riders?
Community and Culture — Do you see people riding? Kids biking to school? Is cycling woven into the fabric of daily life?
Going forward, I'll be including a Bikeability Rating with my listings — because a home's lifestyle is just as important as its square footage.
A Note on Why This Matters Beyond Recreation
Cycling builds independence in kids. It reduces stress. It connects neighbors. And it's something you can come back to at any stage of life. I am passionate about spreading the word about getting out and riding your bike.
This year I set a personal goal to donate 12 bikes in 12 months to Good Karma Bikes, a nonprofit bike shop in San Jose. What started as a quiet commitment has turned into something bigger, with friends, clients, neighbors, and fellow agents all pitching in. The garage situation has gotten a little out of hand if I'm being honest — but every bike that finds a new rider makes it worth it.
Because sometimes, the best way to understand a neighborhood is from the seat of a bike. 🚲
