Eighteen new bike routes in five states have recently been designated, adding nearly 3,000 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System, a developing complex of officially recognized, publicly-accessible travel paths across the country. The latest routes — in California, Indiana, Ohio, Utah, and Washington State — represent the largest addition to the bike network to date, both in number and total mileage.

"With this addition of nearly 3,000 miles, the U.S. Bicycle Route System continues to pick up momentum — and the growth of the system benefits every person who has, is, or will be traveling by bike,” Scott Pankratz, executive director of Adventure Cycling, said in a statement. The Missoula, Mont.- based nonprofit membership organization has supported the initiative since 2005 through research, technical guidance and other resources.

The association, Pankratz added, “applauds our state department of transportation partners, who understand the role bike travel plays in our national infrastructure, supporting health and wellness, transforming communities, and increasing economic activity across the country,”

With the new designations, the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS), now covers nearly 18,000 miles in 31 states and Washington, DC.  In addition, at least 40 states are currently developing routes. All routes are designated through a state-and federal-level process.

 “Twice each year, state departments of transportation play a significant role in the expansion of the U.S. Bicycle Route System by designating new routes,” Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which approves the routes, said in a statement. “This summer, we are not only witnessing the highest number of designations in any single period to date, but we are also seeing why making improvements to existing routes when possible is important. In Northern California, for example, officials realigned U.S. Bicycle Route 50 to take advantage of a new paved path that is making cycling in the region safer and better than ever before.”

The new routes offer scenic cycling experiences that take in rivers, state parks, and historic sites, and travel through a diverse range of terrains, from hills, meadows and wheatfields to fruit orchards, farmlands and canyons.