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.

Bicycle Route System under the authority of the FHWA as part of a new Office of Livability.

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

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.