U.S. Bicycle Route System evolves

The bicycle route network is expanding rapidly with more than half of the U.S. states having a fully grown Bicycle Route System (USBRS).

Nevada became the 26th state to obtain a USBRS after the construction of USBR 50. The “Mother Road’’ of bicycling is USBR 66, a route that was accomplished after Missouri and Kansas joined forces. Bud Wright, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) executive director, states: “More than half the states are today on the U.S. Bicycle Route System, giving daily commuters, bicycle tourists, and leisure cyclists more options for travel and recreation. The benefits are less traffic congestion, greater economic development, and healthier citizens — three big wins for communities everywhere.” At the moment, more than 40 states are working on designating and constructing new official USBRSs.

Apart from creating new routes, realignments to the existing roads in Michigan, Ohio and Washington will be implemented in order to provide new experiences and safer connections. Luther Kurtz, mayor of Charlevoix in Michigan said: “With our one-way streets going in and out of town, we have some unique challenges in providing a single route. With this new alignment, the northern route is different from the southern route and it is more in line with what local bikers use to get through town already. We are excited that our visitors will now ride on this more scenic and comfortable route through Charlevoix. And we are thrilled to be a trail town located on U.S. Bike Route 35.”

To help bicyclists navigate, a GPS online platform has been developed by the Adventure Cycling Association website (www.adventurecycling.org) including all new routes.

Source: Csengineermag.com