U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS)
The United States Bicycle Route System (USBRS) was established in 1978 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the purpose of "facilitating travel between the states over routes which have been identified as being more suitable than others for cycling." The National Corridor Plan for the (USBRS) was established by AASHTO in 2008. The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) manages the USBRS route-designation process nationally for AASHTO. To date, nearly 15,000 miles of the USBRS have been established in 31 states and Washington DC.
As the AASHTO-designated lead for the State of California, Caltrans leadership and involvement is necessary for official USBRS route-designation in California. In response to growing interest statewide in USBRS route-designation, Caltrans has developed a State framework and uniform approach regarding USBRS route-designation.
USBRS Policy Statement
As an AASHTO-designated lead organization in the USBRS route designation process, Caltrans is committed to actively engaging with the ACA, local communities, and bicycling advocates to establish USBRS routes in the State of California.
USBR 85 — NEW Route
USBR 85 CA traverses eastern California in the Sierras for 788.5 miles, beginning in Siskiyou County at the Oregon border and ending in Lenwood in San Bernardino County. USBR 85 routes Siskiyou County, Montague, Mt Shasta, Shasta County, Truckee, El Dorado County, Mono County, Inyo County, Kern County, Ridgecrest, and Barstow. This route is characterized by volcanoes, long stretches of forested countryside, busy towns, deserts, orchards and everything in between.
USBR 85 continues south into the Mojave Desert. Other attractions in the southernmost section of USBR 85 include the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Gorgonio Mountains, the Anza-Borego Desert. USBR 85 terminates at its intersection with Bicycle Route 66 in Barstow, California.
USBR 95 — Extension
This expanded route traverses through western California along the Pacific Coast for 1,070 miles, beginning at US 101 near Pelican State Beach at the Oregon border and ending at Monument Road near the California-Mexico border. USBR 95 routes through 14 jurisdictions: Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County, Sonoma County, Marin County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barabara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County. This route is characterized by all the California coast has to offer, including massive redwoods, breathtaking coastline vistas, marine wildlife such as sea lions, farmland and fruit orchards, and bustling urban areas.
Due to a short gap in the route, the directions are available in two sections: OR to Camp Pendleton and Camp Pendleton to Mexico.
Caltrans USBRS documents:
USBRS Director’s Decision Memo (PDF)
Caltrans USBRS Route Designation Policy (PDF)
Caltrans USBRS Workplan (coming soon)
Other USBRS documents:
USBRS Best Practices Final Report, August, 2016 (PDF)
USBRS Survey and Case Studies, July, 2013 (PDF)
ACA Volunteer Training Document (PDF)
2015 Pacific Coast Bike Route Survey (PDF)
Websites:
Adventure Cycling Association, USBRS
For more information, please contact:
(916) 591-4909
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