Exciting New U.S. Bicycle Routes Announced

The new routes can be found in California, Indiana, Ohio, Utah, and Washington.

On Aug. 9, the Adventure Cycling Association announced the designation of 18 new U.S. bicycle routes in five states. For all the cycling enthusiasts out there, that means it’s time to grab your helmets and favorite biking shorts in preparation for an exciting adventure.

Overview of the New Routes

The new routes, which can be found in California, Indiana, Ohio, Utah, and Washington, add 2,903 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). This is, indeed, the largest addition to the system to date, both in terms of the number of designations and their total mileage. Moreover, the cycling experience on two other routes in California and Florida has also been significantly enhanced.

Significance of the New Designations

“Twice each year, state departments of transportation play a significant role in the expansion of the U.S. Bicycle Route System by designating new routes,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). “This summer, we are not only witnessing the highest number of designations in any single period to date, but we are also seeing why making improvements to existing routes when possible is important.”

Consequently, the new routes not only represent the largest addition to the USBRS, but they also offer a diverse range of landscapes and terrain to explore throughout the northwestern, southwestern, and midwestern U.S.

Exploring Scenic Routes

Some of the most westerly routes allow cyclists to follow the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway from Oregon to San Francisco or cross almost the entire state of California from the high desert to Los Angeles. Furthermore, in Ohio, cyclists are connected to some of the state’s major cities, including Cleveland, Toledo, and Cincinnati. Meanwhile, cyclists in Utah can journey from the foot of the Wasatch Front to Salt Lake City and continue on to the painted cliffs and pinnacles near the Arizona border. Washington’s new routes provide a scenic ride through the rolling hills of the Palouse region and into the Snake River Canyon.

Conclusion

The USBRS currently boasts 17,734 miles of officially designated routes in 31 states and Washington, D.C., with the ultimate goal of developing a national network that links every state in the country with 50,000 miles of routes.

Digital maps for all designated routes are available to the public for free on the Adventure Cycling Association website.