US Bicycle Route System begins connecting America

If you're traveling by car or airplane this 4th of July weekend and would rather be packing your luggage onto your bike, you may be interested in the US Bicycle Route System.

You've probably heard me compare where our high-speed and intercity passenger rail system is today with where America stood 54 years ago when President Eisenhower began implementing the US Interstate Highway network. But America also has a national interstate network of bicycle routes in a similar state of initial development.

The US Bicycle Route System opened its first routes in 1982. Route 1 runs between Virginia and North Carolina, and Route 76 joins Virginia, Kentucky, and Illinois.

For more than 20 years, not much happened. But in 2003, AASHTO revived the USBRS with a Task Force on US Bicycle Routes. The Task Force includes state transportation agency staff, Federal Highway Administration employees, and bicycling organizations. One group, Adventure Cycling Association,  began providing staff support to the project in 2005 and developed a map called the National Corridor Plan.

In 2009, the Task Force created a new application that states can use to enter their routes into the USBRS. The hard work of translating the corridors from the plan into on-the-ground routes began.

And I'm happy to say that work has been fruitful. In Michigan USBRS 20 is underway, with USBRS 35 soon to follow. The people of Michigan are excited to be leading the way on America's interstate bikeway system.

As Scott Anderson, state coordinator for the bicycle route, said, "We went county to county, community to community, to talk with each one and got enormous support. We even had cities and towns that weren't on the route pushing to get included."

Anderson and Michigan's communities also see the business and employment possibilities the USBRS offers: "We see an economic opportunity here. We're hoping to promote tourism and there are a lot of bicycle tourists out there."

At least 18 other states across the country also have US Bicycle Route System plans in various stages of implementation. For example, Minnesota plans to use its Mississippi River Trail as part of USBRS 45. California's Pacific Coast Bicycle Route will provide the backbone of USBRS 95. And planners from Maine to Florida are hard at work connecting USBRS 1 with the East Coast Greenway.

Now, America has many miles of existing bicycle trails like my two favorites--the Rock Island Trail in my hometown of Peoria and the C&O Canal towpath in Washington, DC. Because the US Bicycle Route System will knit together the many trail systems and routes that already exist nationwide, completing many of the planned corridors will be neither as complicated nor as expensive as you might expect.

And it won't be too long before we have a true national network of officially designated routes, supported and maintained by state and local agencies.

The nation has a considerable inventory of bike paths; the USBRS will connect them.

This system will connect urban, suburban, and rural areas. And it will lead to stronger regional connections as neighboring states coordinate their trails into routes. I'm also pleased to see how the FHWA and state and local transportation agencies are working with bicycle advocates and volunteers. That's the kind of partnership that gets things done.

The USBRS is not just a bunch of bike paths; we're talking about a transportation system. It will facilitate travel between communities and to historic and cultural landmarks. It will give people living in more rural areas a way to travel into a nearby urban area by bicycle. Urban and suburban residents will have better access to rural recreation areas. And--like our interstate highway system--it will facilitate long-distance travel by bicycle, whether across one’s state or across the country.

So, whether you're interested in riding west from Ohio to South Dakota and south to New Mexico, or just want to get to a nearby park, please visit the terrific USBRS resource pages at www.adventurecycling.org to learn more about the great network taking root across the nation.

The USBRS will generate economic activity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a healthier America. And because bicycle infrastructure is relatively inexpensive, the USBRS can achieve these benefits cost-effectively. It's a win for states, a win for local communities, and a win for America.

Comments

[Harvey Botzman]

A very easy route to claim for the US Bicycle Route System since the USDOT simply used Adventure Cycling Assocation's Northern Route. Fine.

A similar and just as valid route would be the one described by Tod Rodger in his book "Bicycle Guide to the Lewis & Clark Trail," Harvard MA: Deerfoot Publications.

As well as the routes in Harvey Botzman's Great Lakes Bicycle Touring Series of bicycle tour guide books:
"'Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 3rd Ed.;"
"'Round Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 3rd Ed.;"
"'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide;"
"'Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 2rd Ed;"
"'Round Lake Superior: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide (2010);"
"Erie Canal Bicyclist & Hiker Tour Guide,3rd Ed. (10/2010)"
"Finger Lakes Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 2nd Edition;"
all published by Cyclotour Guide Books, Rochester NY, with Library of Congress numbers and ISBN numbers.

The Secretary brings up the matter of railroad transportation and its relationship to bicycling in this 4th of July blog.

The Secretary must begin to have Amtrak alter its bicycle carriage policy to allowing bicycles, partially disassembled, to be carried in a soft sided case 48"L 33"H 15"W); handlebars & fork assembly turned 90° or handlebars removed, when wheels are removed.

This change in Amtrak's bicycle carriage policy will stimulate tourism and long distance travel by bicycle. With this change in Amtrak's policy, to the policy now used by the major intercity bus companies (Greyhound, Trailways affiliates), will allow bicyclists to go to their away from home start location by efficient public transportation.

[Andy]

Lots of bicycles are coming out with electric motors that can help you climb hills. Are there any licenseing requirements for electric assist bicycles or for that matter an electric wheelchair?

[Mike Johnson]

So you want us to be China and actually regress... hooray progressives!

[Scott Anderson]

Thanks for the nice comments, and I'm happy to help. Anyone interested in the process as we've been developing it here in Michigan, feel free to get in touch, scottcanderson at earthlink dot net (please hold off on mega-attachments however, I don't want the nice people at Earthlink to go on the warpath).

[Teresa Wanders]

Would like to know if there is a route to take for a first timer from Eastern Idaho all the way to Chicago. Is there also any site that will provide training or information for such a trip. I would be sleeping in B&B's or motels NO CAMPING. I also wonder is the a formula to figure out how many days it will take?

Thank you for your help and all the great efforts and information your association provides.

[Jenny]

I think it's a wonderful project, Both our health and the planet benefit from it.

Jenny
http://www.Hotelsium.com

[Michael E. Bailey]

The bike system will be a great way to reduce air pollution and green house gas emissions across the country if more people can take their bikes to work instead of drive. And if more people can bike to local recreation centers that will be a major help in eliminating pollution and congestion as well. So the national bike system is a great idea. It should be able to be integrated with transit and commuter rail. Anything we can do that will help people decide to leave their cars at home and bike, walk and/or use transit will be a good thing. Best wishes,Michael E. Bailey.

[David Kitchens]

Great economical way to connect America. Exercise and fun for any age group. Get out and try it!

[Lois Epstein]

Where's Alaska on your map? While we can't connect every community in the state, a bicycle route between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley would be valuable. It's already partially there, however there still are segments that require bicycling on the highway.

[Randy Rasa]

What an exciting and long-awaited project! Looking forward to helping build and promote the US Bicycle Route System through Kansas via http://www.kansascyclist.com/

[Wally]

I would like to second the comment above regarding Amtrak and bikes. Here in NY we have a nearly complete off-road bike route along the Erie Canal that draws thousands of riders each year. Many are looking for options for getting back to their starting point with their bikes, and Amtrak parallels the route the entire way. But they are not very responsive. We need intermodal connections. I urge the Secretary to push Amtrak to take a broader view.

[yang chong]

"So you want us to be China and actually regress... hooray progressives!"

Yeah we should start using our cars less. Why don't you join the rest of the world and us and realize that we are killing the planet. I won't throw the global warning word at you but you should at least realize that driving alone in your car to pickup a 6 pack is pretty selfish and destructive.

So you want us to be morons and ignore the BP oil rush... hooray whatever you are!

[William Bailey]

So we get a nice map, all right I like that. But can we get some federal protection of the routes. Prevent citys from passing no bike laws, and keep state DOTs from rumble stripping the routes. Any help there?

[Thos. Allen]

Harvey Botzman wrote on Jul 2 at 1:23 p.m.:

"The Secretary must begin to have Amtrak alter its bicycle carriage policy to allowing bicycles, partially disassembled, to be carried in a soft sided case 48"L 33"H 15"W); handlebars & fork assembly turned 90° or handlebars removed, when wheels are removed."

A requirement for disassembly and/or the use of a transport case for the bicycle is impractical and unnecessary. If one supplies a case, what does he do with it at the destination, throw it away or somehow attach it to the rest of his baggage to lug through the rest of the tour?

Partially disassembling a bike and putting the pieces in a bag just facilitates damaging the bike, and we know these bags will be tossed around just like any other luggage in the rail car.

Wouldn't a baggage car fitted with those U-shaped hooks we use in the garage for holding our bikes be a lot cheaper and efficient for all? Several bikes could be carried 'wheels up' and hoisted above the other contents of the car. It's a simple matter of minimizing their contact with other bikes. Europe has been doing it successfully for 50 years.

Two of my biggest frustrations of a multi-week European bike tour were: What do I do with the bike box when I get there? and where do I get the right sized box when I have 4 hours before my flight and how do I get the box to the airport?

[Panic Attacks Cause]

This is fantastic news! I often ride my bike on the local bike trail to destress. Having a bike route system in place that will span several states will encourage folks to get out more. Save on gas, lower our carbon footprint, and get some exercise, I love this!

Jean

[Carroll]

I think this is a great idea. It would get the people who ride bike away from the highways and their traffic. It would make the highways a lot safer.

[Dean]

I like the idea of these routes. I would like to see it expanded all across America. Most interstate highways have such large easements to the sides of the highways, why not add a biking trail to the side of these roads. It would not take up much room for the easement.

That way bikers and hikers would have a safe way to travel across America.

[credito pessoal]

I think the idea is great. Here in Europe we have also developed some special routes for bicycles, inside and outside of cities.

I live in a small city, near the coast, and we have a good bike route, parallel to the ocean.
It´s very healthy to cycle this route with all the family.

[Earlandpatty]

I am getting ready to tour from VT to NC and back, with a tricycle using an adaptive assist motor when needed. I am disabled and want to foster awareness of recreational needs for those less able.
With the adaptive aid of a motor assist on my trike , I will have the ability to use public streets and bicycle trails for cycling purposes in the same manner as the nondisabled. That is, cycling with minimal interruption, without frequent stops to rest, and to enjoy the cycling environment and experience.

[creditos pessoais]

Very ambitious project! But an awesome initiative!

[Thomas Belknap]

How do i get bicycle maps starting in the northern kentucky and cincinnati oh area to the tip of flordia?

[rick buie]

Bike trails are great assets to any community, and and interstate system of bike routes just takes that to a higher level. What a great project for bike enthusiasts a local communities!

[Martin Luapas]

Great idea that to make bike patths,but...are they relly usefull?