29. Louisville, KY

If you’re ever in Louisville, be sure to catch “The most exciting two minutes in sports” at the Kentucky Derby. Louisville has caught some of that racing spirit as it placed 29th in SustainLane’s 2008 rankings, up six spots from 2006. While Louisville may not hold that coveted blue ribbon from us yet, it’s setting itself up to break away from the pack. Over 100 miles of greenways—dubbed The Louisville Loop—are in the works, as part of the “City of Parks ” initiative. Cycling has also taken off in Louisville, leading Bicycling Magazine to name it among the three most improved cities in the country. Not resting on those laurels, Louisville is making the city even more bike-friendly by launching a bike commuting website, starting a “Bikes on Board” partnership with local transit, and publishing new maps of Louisville’s paths and lanes. Positive strides are also taking place in the food department: the city recently completed a study that could help expand its local food economy – good thing since Bon Appetit magazine named Louisville the fourth ‘Foodiest’ small city in the U.S. It doesn’t stop there, though: Louisville was named ‘America ’s Most Livable City’ by the US Conference of Mayors and also received a ‘Best of the Best’ award from the American Water Works Association for the best tasting water in 2008.

(Photo courtesy of the Southern Foodways Alliance)