BigBAM & OK Freewheel join for U.S. Bicycle Route 66 Ribbon Cutting set for Sunday June 17th in Joplin

The City of Joplin, Oklahoma Freewheel, BigBAM, MoDOT, and Route 66 are meeting Sunday, June 17th, 2018, to celebrate the grand opening of U.S. Bicycle Route 66 in Missouri and Kansas--the first two states to have officially adopted Bicycle Route 66 into the national system:

Oklahoma Freewheel, a 6-day cycling event across Oklahoma which began in Elk City, OK on June 10th and after cycling 425 miles across Oklahoma and Kansas, 400+ cyclists will arrive in Joplin's Schifferdecker Park on Saturday.

Big BAM Ride, a 5-day cycling event across Missouri will follow a 304-mile trek across historic Missouri along Route 66 from Joplin to Eureka, MO. Cyclist will depart Joplin's on Monday, June 18th and ride across the state finishing on June 22nd.

Ribbon Cutting Event (Public Welcome):

The US Bicycle Route 66 ribbon cutting will take place on the stage area, in Joplin’s Schifferdecker Park, Sunday, June 17th, 6:00 p.m. Following the ribbon cutting will be a concert by St. Louis performer, Aina Cook.

 

About The U.S. Bicycle Route System and U.S. Bicycle Route 66:

Missouri is a hub of the U.S. Bicycle Route System - thanks to MoDOT, we have two interconnecting national routes, USBR 66 and USBR 76--with more on the way

https://www.adventurecycling.org/about-us/media/press-releases/the-u-s-bicycle-route-system-grows-to-26-states-and-over-13-000-miles/

MISSOULA, MONT., June 12, 2018 — With the designation of USBR 50, Nevada becomes the 26th state to join the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). Missouri and Kansas joined forces to designate USBR 66, becoming the first states to officially designate the historic “Mother Road” for bicycling.

“In the 35 years since AASHTO established U.S. Bicycle Route One, through Virginia and North Carolina, the number of participating states has grown to 26, in addition to the District of Columbia,” said Bud Wright AASHTO executive director. “More than half the states are today on the U.S. Bicycle Route System, giving daily commuters, bicycle tourists, and leisure cyclists more options for travel and recreation. The benefits are less traffic congestion, greater economic development, and healthier citizens--three big wins for communities everywhere.”

The USBRS is a developing national network of officially recognized, numbered, and signed bicycle routes. The new designations bring the total mileage of the system to 13,099. More than 40 states are working on designating and implementing official U.S. Bicycle Routes.

Digital maps for all designated U.S. Bicycle Routes - including all new routes - are now available to the public for free, using the Ride with GPS online platform, from the Adventure Cycling website.

Adventure Cycling Association, a nonprofit that provides national coordination for the U.S. Bicycle Route System, partners with AASHTO to ensure states have the resources and expertise needed for successful route designation.

Missouri + Kansas

U.S. Bicycle Route 66 covers 345 miles across Missouri and 13 miles across the southeast corner of Kansas, connecting cyclists to Oklahoma and Illinois. It roughly parallels today’s I-44, which takes most motor vehicle traffic, leaving the historic Route 66 segments as relatively low-traffic side-roads that wander through the countryside, preserving traces of an American icon as it stood half a century ago.

Cyclists on USBR 66 can visit historic Marsh Bridge, Riverton Store (in continuous operation since 1925), the Galena Mining Museum, Old Chain of Rocks Bridge across the Mississippi River, the Big Chief Roadhouse in Wildwood, the Route 66 Museum in Lebanon, the Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store, Route 66 parks in Springfield and Joplin, Route 66 State Park in Eureka, many period hotels, bridges, and original stretches of historic roadway, and the birthplace of Route 66 in Springfield.

“We are so pleased to see this important historic route—already used by many bicyclists from across the world—officially adopted as part of the U.S. Bicycle Route System.  We much appreciate the work of MoDOT and leaders of communities along the route who have worked hard for this day. Riding this route really gives a glimpse into the soul of the American heartland.” Brent Hugh, Executive Director, Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation

“We’re excited for the opportunity to designate our portion of Historic Route 66 as a United States Bicycle Route. We’ve been working with other state agencies and local communities to develop and promote active tourism along our state’s byway system. This designation helps support our efforts and attracts travelers to our state.” – Matt Messina (KS Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator)

USBR 66 is important for the homage it pays to historic Route 66, but also because it intersects with other key bicycle touring routes, including the Mississippi River Trail, the Great Rivers South Bicycle Route, the Transamerica Trail (USBR 76), the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Touring Route, and USBR 51 connecting Missouri to Louisiana and Minnesota, currently under development. Additionally, with the designation of U.S. Bicycle Route 66 in Missouri and Kansas, interest has picked up in other states located along the historic road.

More information about the new USBR 66 in Missouri here.

 

 

Working to make a world-class, safe, well-connected bicycle and pedestrian network across Missouri is one of the four primary goals of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri.

Working to develop and support major cross-state and national bicycle touring routes in Missouri, along with major cross-state and major regional trails is one way we achieve those goals.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!