New U.S. Bicycle Route connects Hope & East Hope

Adventure Cycling Association announced major expansions to the United States Bicycle Route System, including three completely new routes and a ferry connection from Alaska to the lower 48 states. Idaho is one of the states that added a completely new route, USBR 610.

USBR 610 connects the cities of Hope and East Hope and is a community-requested alternative to USBR 10, which is a route across the North Idaho panhandle that stretches from Newport, Wash., to the Montana Border on Highway 200 past Clark Fork. The new, seven-mile USBR 610 route allows touring cyclists direct access to businesses in Hope and East Hope as well as travel along a county road and city streets with significantly lower traffic volumes than on Highway 200.

The USBR is a developing national network of officially designated, numbered and signed routes that use existing roads, trails and other facilities appropriate for bike travel. It will eventually encompass 50,000 miles of routes and open new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional touring, and commuting by bike. It also benefits communities by providing new bicycle routes, enhancing safety, and increasing tourism and economic activity.

“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,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

“Those bike routes are critical to enhancing and expanding the active transportation opportunities within the nation’s multimodal mobility network,” he said. “State DOTs play a key role in helping foster more and safer bicycle travel options for all Americans and goes to the heart of AASHTO’s long standing partnership with the Adventure Cycling Association."

Digital maps for all designated U.S. Bicycle Routes are available to the public for free on the Adventure Cycling Association website.

Adventure Cycling Association is a nonprofit business entity that promotes bike travel and is the only organization that coordinates national development of the USBR. Staff members offer technical assistance, volunteer coordination, and outreach to help states achieve official designation of routes.