A few days ago, I wrote about Colorado's efforts to boost bicycle tourism by directing cyclists to tour some of the state's scenic highways in the Bike the Byways program.
Since then, I've discovered that Oregon is charting a series of scenic roads and paths just for bicycles. Called the Scenic Bikeway program, it is the only such project in the US.
The first scenic bike tour is the Willamette Scenic Bikeway that rolls out for 132 miles from Champoeg State Heritage Area to Eugene. The route passes through the agricultural valley between the Cascades and the Coastal ranges.
Not only is the route marked with signs (like the one above), but campgrounds, food stores and places of interest are noted on maps. Touring bicyclist Ellee Thalmeimer recently wrote a description of the route at Bicycling Hub blog.
8 more proposed
The state is keeping up the momentum on this project and has eight other routes suggested by cyclists in the works. A meeting was held just last week in the Sisters area to discuss routes through that area. Here are the eight:
— McKenzie Pass — a 40-mile route over the 5,000-foot McKenzie Pass
— Covered Bridges — a 23-mile loop, on paved paths and back roads
— Camp Sherman — a great family friendly route
— Sisters-Smith Rock — a 44-mile route with views of the Cascades and towering rock formations of Smith Rock State Park
— Twin Bridges Loop — a 32-mile ride starting in Bend with spectacular views of the Cascades
— Old West — a 199-mile loop with views of the Strawberry Mountains and
the John Day River. Passes through the Old West towns of John Day and
Prairie City
— Grande Tour — a 130-mile route surrounded by big sky views of mountain ranges. Passes through La Grande, Union and Baker City
— Blue Mountain Century — a 108-mile remote, way-out-east loop with views of the Blue Mountains and rolling wheat fields.
— Hells Canyon — an almost 200-mile ride with views of the Wallowa Mountains and rugged basalt cliffs.
As you can see, the routes are long-distance or just a few miles.
Tourism
The state launched the program to identify the best bikes routes in the state, share the state's scenery with as many people as possible, draw tourism dollars from local and international visitors and provide an economic stimulus to the towns the routes visit.
This is a great program for those interested in seeing the sights from the seat of a bicycle. It's also a benefit to local communities. Other states should certainly consider this.
You can read all about the program, and even suggest a route, at the Oregon Scenic Bikeway Program website.
Also, read about Colorado's Bike the Byways program and learn how to find scenic routes in your state.
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