United States Bicycle Route System

United States Bicycle Route System
1978 marker 2009 marker 2023 marker
1978, 2009, and 2023 route markers
System information
Length18,953 mi[1] (30,502 km)
Formed1978
Highway names
US Routes:U.S. Bicycle Route nn (USBR nn)
System links

The United States Bicycle Route System (abbreviated USBRS) is the national cycling route network of the United States. It consists of interstate long-distance cycling routes that use multiple types of bicycling infrastructure, including off-road paths, bicycle lanes, and low-traffic roads. As with the complementary United States Numbered Highways system for motorists, each U.S. Bicycle Route is maintained by state and local governments. The USBRS is intended to eventually traverse the entire country, like the Dutch National Cycle Routes and the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network, yet at a scale similar to the EuroVelo network that spans Europe.

The USBRS was established in 1978 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the same body that coordinates the numbering of Interstate highways and U.S. Routes. The first two U.S. Bicycle Routes were established in 1982 and remained the only two until 2011. Steady growth and interest in the system has followed since.[2][3][4] As of November 2022, 29 parent routes and 24 child routes extend 18,953 miles (30,502 km) across 34 states and the District of Columbia.[1] The system, once fully connected, is projected to encompass over 50,000 miles (80,000 km) of bike routes.[5]

  1. ^ a b "A new state joins the USBRS!" (Press release). Missoula, Montana: Adventure Cycling Association. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Lahood, Ray (July 2, 2010). "US Bicycle Route System begins connecting America". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ACA-release-May2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference ACA-blog-May2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference USBR50MD-23TN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).