U.S. BIKE ROUTE SYSTEM

The USBRS Vision
WHY INVEST A U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM?
Cycling routes create viable transportation alternatives and positively impact rural economies. Well-planned bike routes also provide places for citizens to exercise & explore, offering a great opportunity for improving health and well-being, as well as connecting people to the landscapes and cultures of our fabulous country.
THE VISION
Our goal is to help create a U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) that would incorporate an expanding network of bike routes criss-crossing the nation including the Adventure Cycling Route Network and other existing (or newly developed) national, regional, and local bike routes. This coordinated bike route network will be publicized, maintained, and upgraded through a partnership of appropriate public agencies and non-profit organizations.

The USBRS will link regions across the country, regions with important scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational value, including metropolitan areas. The end result will be a national network of bike routes that will connect communities and ensure opportunities for future generations to travel by bicycle throughout North America.

HOW WE'RE DOING IT
Adventure Cycling Association is a member of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASTHO) Task Force for U.S. Bicycle Routes. We provide staff support to the Task Force, and are helping coordinate the effort to create a corridor-level plan and route number system for the USBRS.

THE TASK FORCE MISSION & PROGRESS
The AASHTO Task Force was charged with developing a recommended national corridor-level plan for use in designating potential future U.S. bicycle routes. The Task Force developed an every-evolving draft corridor plan based, in part, on an inventory of proposed and designated state bike routes and trails. See how the corridor plan developed.

The plan was reviewed by AASHTO sub-committees and was approved by AASHTO in October 2008. During the plan's development, we have received additional input from national bicycle groups, State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinators, and transportation engineers, designers, and others. Adventure Cycling will work with states, counties, bike advocacy organizations, and others to implement specific bicycle routes within the corridors.

You can read about the AASHTO Task Force, the plan of action, and meet members on the AASHTO fact sheet. Learn more about the process and read the most recent Project Updates.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE USBRS
Implementation of the U.S. Bike Route System can take several forms: signage and markings; bike route maps; highway maps with bike route markings; recognition of bike routes in highway planning and maintenance; and so on. State and local agencies will determine the details of bicycle route implementation that fit within their overall programs.

more information is here at Adventure Cycling Association website...