Cyclists in Arkansas are hitting the trails

Little Rock, Arkansas – Both Arkansans and visitors can now travel in the Natural State in a new way.

The United States Bike Route (USBR) 80 across Arkansas has been officially designated, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, which made the announcement on Friday. According to a news release, this is the state’s first cycling route to receive national recognition.

USBR 80 travels from Little Rock to West Memphis. It travels through rural areas and historic Arkansas Delta villages along the way.

“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,” he said.

Publicly accessible bicycle paths are being built all around the country as part of the USBR System initiative. For long-distance (interstate) bicycle travel, a network of bicycle routes covering 50,000 miles will follow city streets, county roads, greenways, trail networks, and state highways. The project’s total mileage has increased since it started in 2008 to almost 19,000 miles.