The USBRS is intended to eventually traverse the entire country, like the Dutch National Cycle Routes and the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network, yet at a scale similar to the EuroVelo network that spans Europe.

[1] The system, once fully connected, is projected to encompass over 50,000 miles (80,000 km) of bike routes.

The USBRS was established in 1978 by AASHTO for the purpose of "facilitat[ing] travel between the states over routes which have been identified as being more suitable than others for cycling.

[2][9][10] The task force included state and federal highway officials and representatives from bicycling organizations.

[11] Other organizations involved in the effort include state departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Adventure Cycling Association.

[12] In 2009, the FHWA published a new edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that introduces a revised U.S.

Compared to the 2003 edition, the new design swaps the bicycle symbol and route number.

The alternative design departs from the longstanding "acorn" shape in favor of a Reuleaux triangle placed over a green background.

[13] The FHWA gave 17 states interim approval to use the alternative design[14] before formally incorporating it into the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in 2023.

[16] As of November 2022[update], there are 31 official parent routes in varying stages of completion.

[6] Approved or signposted routes are located in the District of Columbia and 33 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.