The U.S. Bicycle Route

System

Background, Vision &

Implementation

November, 2010

Created by

Ginny Sullivan

Adventure Cycling Association

Overview

• Who is Adventure Cycling Association

• National Update• AASHTO Task• USBRS Vision • AASHTO Process/Signs • State Progress• Resources • Draft Criteria• Implementation• Routes, Trails &

Greenways in Partnership

Adventure Cycling: Who We Are

• “America’s Bicycle Travel Experts”

• Started as Bikecentennial in 1973

• Largest cycling membership group in North America: 44,000+ globally

• Non-profit mission: to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle

• 28 staff and many volunteers

• Outside Magazine ’08 Best Place to Work

• Create some of the best bike route maps, publications, special cycling routes (40,000+ miles) in North America

• Fantastic bike adventures and education

40+ Tours• Southern Tier –Van

Supported• VansAm on the

TransAm• Heart of the UGRR• Pueblos to Peaks• C&O/GAP

• Conversion to GIS• GPS Waypoints• Elevation profiles

• Technology & the future• Maps Working Group• Waterproof, Tear-proof

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/07/us-bicycle-route-system-begins-connecting-america.html

“We are writing to express our strong support for a U.S. Bicycle Route System … As enthusiastic cyclists, we believe that such a system has many important merits.”

CongressmanJim Oberstar, Chairman,Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

Congressman Peter DeFazio, Chairman,Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

National Organizations Supporting the USBRS

The Education Foundation of America

The Lazar Foundation

American Public Works Association

** A Nation of Networks **

** Connected and convenient interstatebike travel from city center to countryside **

History of US Bicycle RoutesHistory of US Bicycle RoutesIn 1970’s interest in

long distance bicycle travel

picks up

First US Bicycle routes

designated in 1982

*US Bicycle Route 1 (red)

*US Bicycle Route 76 (blue)

_______

No routes

designated

since

Began Project late 2003

Staff Support 2005

** AASHTO Approval 2008 **

The Vision

To encourage the development of a coordinated system of US bicycle routes across the country.

The Task Force is charged with developing a recommended national systems-level or corridor-level plan for use in designating potential future US bicycle routes.

A

ZY

G

S

L

E

• Pennsylvania state designated routes

• Adventure Cycling’s Northern Tier not shown

ArkansasMemphis to Fort Smith cross state route from the Dept. of Parks & Tourism

US-70, 49, 107, 64, AR-147, 50, 70, 1, 284, 306, 38, 31, 319, 60, 236, 89, 10, 176, 9, 154, 7, 155, 22

Per advocacy groups

AR-7 a western-central north-south route

US-71 western side north-south route

AR-1 eastern side north-south route

US-62 northern side east-west route

US-82 southern side east-west route

Arizona - NO DESIGNATED CROSS STATE ROUTESDescription of possible routes based on suitability map

Route

US-160 US-89 to eastern border

AZ-264 US-160 to eastern border

AZ-87 AZ-264 to AZ-260

US-191 US-160 to southern border

US-163 US-160 to northern border

AZ-85 I-8 to southern border

AZ-86 AZ-85 to I-19

AZ-286 AZ-86 to southern border

AZ-95/US-95 AZ-72 to I-8

US-93 Hoover Dam to US-60

US-60 I-10 to US-93

US-89 I-40 to northern border

US-60 US-70 to eastern border

US-70 US-60 to eastern border

US-89A US-89 to northern border

AZ-389 US-89A to northern border

US-8 Western border to I-10

Florida - NO DESIGNATED CROSS STATE ROUTES

No cycling suitability map

Doesn’t include ACA routes

MinnesotaTaconite State Trail

Paul Bunyan State Trail

Soo Line Trail

Minnesota Valley State Trail

Willard Munger Trail

Luce Line State Trail

Central Lakes Trail

Heartland State Trail

Put it all together…

Inventory of existing routes overlaid by the proposed corridor system

Most routes will be on existing roads and facilities.

USBR M1-9 MUTCD

USBR M1-9AlternateNCUTCD

2009

Implementation: Big PictureRoute applications submitted to AASHTO by

State DOTs– Neighboring states submit together OR connect to

an existing USBR or foreign country– Include maps and route descriptions – Sign-off from DOTs

• Installation of signs & trailblazing• Expansion of the system

– Spur, alternate & loop routes– New routes & corridors

Implementation: State by State• State & local agencies determine best

approach – Route Identification– Road Assessments– Coordination with transportation divisions,

counties, townships and MPOs– Also aligning routes with neighboring states

• Who Does the Work?- Volunteers, bicycle and/or trail advocates - Agency staff

State Progress

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/nbrn/USBRSStatusReport.pdf

Virginia’s

USBR 1 & 76

- Part of their State Bike Plan

- Realigned Routes in 2007 – work in progress…

- Signed through much of state

- VA Bike Federation uses USBR 1 & 76 for events and club rides

Michigan: USBR 20 and 35• Local Interest and Support

• Mix of existing facilities plentiful

•Multi-Use Pathways•Paved Shoulders•Low-volume roads

• Interest from adjacent States

•Volunteers from Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance and a Corridor Committee of city managers/planners

Ohio Kentucky Indiana

• Ohio: working on USBR 25 using rails trails to ease the need for multiple jurisdictional agreements

• Kentucky: first priority is realignment of USBR 76 then will work on USBR 25 in partnership with OH

• Indiana: drafting a route for USBR 35 since Michigan is working on this route currently.

Oregon & Washington

Cycle Oregon is helping the DOT determine routes to implement

Bicycle Alliance of Washington is bringing the WS DOT on board

Long Trail & Partner

Perspectives

Mississippi River Trail

Goal: A transportation corridor that helps recreational cyclists gain access to State and National Parks, Wild Life Refuges, & Cultural and Heritage sites

What are your state opportunities?

• Agreement by DOT• Coordination with Neighboring States• Identification of partners, volunteers and supporters• Review of community and MPO bicycle plans, Greenways

and Trails maps • Determine a DRAFT route, have communities

review/suggest• Resolutions of Support of routes by state and local

governments• Application to AASHTO for route number• Development of wayfinding tools – signage, pavement

markings, public maps

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Process in Most States

• AASHTO & Task Force Liaison• Corridor Plan Map• Meeting Coordination• Training & Mapping• USBRS Blog Social Media • News & Updates • Forums for discussion• Links to Important Sites• Contacts & Stakeholders• Future GeoDatabase

Resources Available

• Background Info• AASHTO Application &

Instructions• AASHTO Purpose &

Policy• Sample Criteria• Road Assessment tools• Research & Studies• Benefit Handouts

• Steps for Designation & Flowchart

• Guide to Gaining Agency Support

• Template Resolution of Support

• How to Form an Implementation Committee

www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs

Benefits of the USBRS http://bit.ly/USBRSBenefits

• Economic Impact: – Millions of dollars can be

brought into state economies.

• Transportation: – Green, cost effective, high

rate of return

Health: Increase access, safety, reduces

health risks

Environmental: Decrease fuel consumption,

conservation, appreciate natural surroundings.

FL-GA Route Criteria (Draft) - Heart• Has intrinsic scenic or cultural quality

• Supports natural connections between adjoining states, Canada, and Mexico

• Accesses destinations with high tourism potential and scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational values

• Includes or intersects regional and local bicycle routes, including roadways and shared use paths that are suitable for touring bikes

• Provides services and amenities such as restaurants, overnight accommodations (including camping), bicycle shops, and convenience/grocery stores at appropriate intervals

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FL-GA Route Criteria (Draft) – Spine• Reasonably direct route connecting cities or attractions

along the corridor

• Even distribution of north/south and east/west routes, consider population density and availability of suitable roads & trails

• Can be linked to major metropolitan areas, key attractions and transportation hubs

• Meets design and operational criteria for bicycle facilities

• Ferry or shuttle crossings have regularly scheduled service available to cyclists and alternate routes available when out of service (seasonal) or infrequent

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Important Web Links• General Information www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs • AASHTO Special Committee on Route Numbering

http://cms.transportation.org/?siteid=68 • National Corridor Plan Map

www.adventurecycling.org/corridorplanmap • Inventory Report

www.adventurecycling.org/usbrsinventoryreport• Task Force Criteria

www.adventurecycling.org/corridorplancriteria• US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood on Fast Lane

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/07/us-bicycle-route-system-begins-connecting-america.html

• Discussion Forums http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php#5

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Your thoughts? www.adventurecycling.org

Ginny Sullivan, Adventure Cycling(406) 721-1776 x 229gsullivan@adventurecycling.org

Richard Moeur, AZ DOTrmoeur@azdot.gov

Jim McDonnell, AASHTOjimm@aashto.org