Guiding Documents
- Best Practice Phase II: An overview of how states are signing, mapping and promoting their U.S. Bicycle Routes.
Signing
See Signing for more information.
Signing guides
- AASHTO Guide for The Development of Bicycle Facilities 4th Edition: This is the newest version of the guide, released in February of 2013.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the latest version of this manual was released in January 2024 approving the green version of the M1-9 bicycle sign.
- U.S. Bicycle Route Guide Signing evaluates the signing needed for effective wayfinding and consistency on co-designated numbered and/or named bicycle routes, specifically U.S. Bicycle Routes. The final report provides recommendations for an effective method for integrating existing named and numbered routes and trails into a national route system.
Signing Examples
- Wayfinding Funding: Signing USBR 20 in Michigan
- Making it Happen in Michigan: Signing USBR 35
- USBR 76: Missouri Officially Designated and Signed
- U.S. Bicycle Route 21 Signage Project (Kentucky – video)
- Bridges, Trails and Signs – Oh My! – Best practices from Europe
- Best Practices Guide Phase II – Signing case studies from various states
Mapping
- Downloadable USBRS Maps: We maintain up-to-date digital maps of all approved U.S. Bicycle Routes. Maps are provided to the public for free, based on the AASHTO-approved routing. If you see discrepancies in the map on this page and your route, please contact us.
- USBRS on OpenStreetMap: OpenCycleMap displays all currently designated U.S. Bicycle Routes, as well as other national, state, and local bicycle routes in the United States. This blog post describes how to follow OpenCycleMap on your phone or device.
- Adventure Cycling Route Network + U.S. Bicycle Routes map tool: Adventure Cycling routes are overlaid onto Open Cycle Map, which displays all currently designated U.S. Bicycle Routes. You can also view an Amtrak bike services overlay.
- Ride with GPS: Adventure Cycling uses this mapping platform to easily share routes – both officially-approved routes ready for the public and draft routes to be shared among stakeholders working toward designation.
- Other mapping resources:
- Labeling U.S. Bicycle Routes: Adventure Cycling is now labeling U.S. Bicycle Routes where they coincide with Adventure Cycling routes on their maps.
Tourism & Marketing
Increasingly, tourism agencies/organizations are promoting bicycling as a part of their economic development strategies. Reach out to your local, regional, or state tourism partners for their help in promoting a U.S. Bicycle Route. See Promote a U.S. Bicycle Route and Building Bicycle Tourism for more information. And check out the examples below:
- Utah: Visit Utah has a web page dedicated to USBR 70/79, and published a blog post and video about the route.
- Indiana: Websites for USBR 35 in Indiana and USBR 50 in Indiana are maintained by Indiana state tourism, with services/attractions listed by county, as well as maps, cue sheets, and other resources for riding the route.
Media & Outreach
Spread the word about a U.S. Bicycle Route by planning an event to celebrate its designation, or by reaching out to both traditional media and social media.
Promotional Events
Inaugural rides- Washington – USBR 10 in 2014
- Tennessee – USBR 23 in 2014
- Minnesota – USBR 41 in 2017
- Traverse City, Michigan – USBR 35 in 2012.
- Farmington and Springfield, Missouri – USBR 76 in 2014
- Anacortes and Colville, Washington State – USBR 10 in 2014
- London, Ohio – USBR 50 in 2017
- St Paul, Minnesota – USBR 41 in 2017
Media
Adventure Cycling and AASHTO announce new USBR designations by issuing a joint national press release. States are encouraged to issue press releases at the state and local level as well. Past press releases announcing new USBRS designations:- 2021: Spring
- 2020: Spring, Fall
- 2019: Spring, Fall
- 2018: Spring, Fall
- 2017: Spring
- 2016: Spring, Fall
- 2015: Spring, Fall
- 2014: Spring, Fall
- 2013: Fall