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.
USBRS Survey
Adventure Cycling Association and AASHTO are proud to announce major expansions to the United States Bicycle Route System, bringing the total to over a major benchmark of 20,000 miles. The three new routes are USBR 51 in Arkansas, USBR 76 in Wyoming, and USBR 85 California. USBR 76 will be Wyoming’s first U.S. Bicycle Route. Additionally, Florida extended USBR 15 to go north-south through most of the state and California extended USBR 95 to finish the coastline. Digital maps for all designated U.S. Bicycle Routes are available to the public for free on the Adventure Cycling Association website. If you have personal experience with the USBRS, please fill out our survey!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N62DRPF
USBR 85 — NEW Route
USBR 85 traverses eastern California in the Sierras for 788.5 miles, beginning in Hornbrook in Siskiyou County at the Oregon border and ending in Lenwood in San Bernardino County. USBR 85 routes through 14 jurisdictions: Siskiyou County, Shasta County, Truckee, Placer County, El Dorado County, Mariposa County, Madera County, Fresno County, Tulare County, Kern County, Kern, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County. This route is characterized by volcanoes, long stretches of forested countryside, busy towns, deserts, orchards and everything in between.
At Lake Isabella, to the east of Bakersfield, USBR 85 intersects USBR 50 and the Western Express Bicycle Route in Woodfords, California. USBR 85 terminates where it connects to USBR 66/Adventure Cycling’s Bicycle Route 66 near Barstow, CA.
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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