United States Bicycle Route 80 Debuts in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK | December 9, 2022

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is proud to share the official designation of United States Bike Route (USBR) 80 through Arkansas, marking the state’s first nationally recognized bicycle route. USBR 80 begins in Little Rock, where the Big Dam Bridge crosses the Arkansas River, ending in West Memphis, on the Mississippi River at the Tennessee border. Along the way, it passes through rural areas and historical downtowns of the Arkansas Delta.

“The designation of USBR 80 from North Little Rock to the Tennessee state line is the first USBR designation in Arkansas and the first segment of USBR 80 designated in the country,” explained Rex Vines, ARDOT Deputy Director and Chief Engineer and member of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering. “The establishment of a statewide bikeway network, including USBR corridors, is part of the implementation effort for the Arkansas State Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.”

The USBR System is a project to create publicly accessible bicycle travel routes across the country with the goal of building broad support for bicycling and bicycle travel in communities nationwide. Experts have planned a 50,000-mile network of bicycle routes following urban streets, county roads, greenways, trail systems, and state highways for the purpose of long-distance (interstate) bicycle travel. Since AASHTO approved the USBR National Corridor Plan in 2008, the System has grown to nearly 19,000 total miles.

“Thank you to the state and federal agencies who recognize the importance of bicycle travel, and a BIG thank you to Adventure Cycling members and donors who make this possible,” said Jenn Hamelman, a USBRS Program Manager with the Adventure Cycling Association. “Achieving this designation would not have been possible in Arkansas without our partners at UAMS and Crafton Tull; they were instrumental in getting this route identified.”

Click here to download free maps for all designated U.S. Bicycle Routes on the Adventure Cycling website.

Adventure Cycling is the only nonprofit bicycle organization leading this project.
Adventure Cycling Association is the only organization that coordinates national development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Adventure Cycling Association has provided support to the U.S. Bicycle Route System since 2005, including research, meeting coordination, and technical guidance for states implementing routes.

Contact: Ellen Coulter

NR 22-306

December 9, 2022