I live in city that is adjacent to Jackson Ms that was just listed as one of the 10 worst cities in the US for cycling. However in all the cities that border Jackson, cycling is alive and well. Miles of MUPS and cycling lanes on some roads.
I don't know what criteria the study used, but in Jackson's defense, it's a very old city with fairly narrow roads already established before Schwinn's were even a thing. I'd be interested in knowing how many of those other cities in the ten worst are actually like the Jackson Metropolitan Area and actually have a good cycling community surrounding them.