The drive to create a 50,000-mile U.S. Bicycle Route System is taking hold in a majority of states.
A state-by-state progress chart created by Adventure Cycling Association shows that 30 states are working to implement routes and another 11 have expressed an interest in becoming part of the network of bicycle routes.
Only 8 states — Alabama, Hawaii, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and South Carolina — say they aren't interested in participating at this time.
While the number of non-participating states is few, their location is critical in some cases as they interrupt major north-south or east-west corridors.
Bicycle transportation
The nationwide bicycle route system is designed to link up cities, rural areas and national landmarks to encourage the use of bicycles for transportation, recreation and tourism. It's being pushed forward by a task force of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with support by Adventure Cycling Association.
A couple of years ago, AASHTO approved a plan that created 50-mile wide corridors through which the specific routes for the bicycle network would pass. So far, two US Bicycle Routes have been designated — USBRS 76 in Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois and USBRS 1 in Virginia and North Carolina.
Ginny Sullivan, who is coordinating efforts for the bike route network for Adventure Cycling said:
“We are surprised and excited by the level of support for this project, and the fact that we're drawing interest from rural to urban states in all parts of the country. The new online map and progress report allows us to communicate each state's efforts very easily, and helps demonstrate how quickly momentum for the U.S. Bicycle Route System is growing.”
Pacific progress
In the Pacific states, progress on the system is rolling along, according to the status chart.
In Washington, volunteers with the Bicycle Alliance of Washington are working with the state Department of Transportation to create the first route, USBR 10, which is an east-west route across the northern part of the state.
In Oregon, the route coordinator for Cycle Oregon is volunteering for the state Department of Transportation to develop USBR 95, which essentially follows the Oregon Coast Bike Route down the coast.
Meanwhile, California is in early planning stages to collaborate route development with local Caltrans districts and bicycle groups. The state has three north-south and three east-west bicycle corridors running through it.
You can check the US Bicycle Route status page. You can either click on your state on the map or browse the state-by-state list below it. If you have something to offer, you'll find a contact link for each state.
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