The United States Bicycle Route System plans to build over 50,000 miles of bicycle routes across all 50 states in an effort to connect America and create new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional bicycle touring, and commuting by bicycle.
U.S. Bike Route 21 is a proposed cycling route that will travel from Kentucky, through the Scenic City, and down to Atlanta, Ga. The portion of the route from Atlanta to Chattanooga is now open.
The route travels 161 miles along scenic back roads in northern Georgia, and connects with the Silver Comet Trail, which is a non-motorized concrete path built over former rail lines to form the longest paved multi-use trail in the U.S. The portion connecting southeastern Tennessee to Kentucky is expected to receive official designation from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials this spring.
U.S. Bike Route 121, which will connect Chattanooga to Nashville, is also in the works.
Bike Walk TN is the organization leading the charge on developing the U.S. Bicycle Route System in Tennessee. For a map of the proposed U.S. Bike Routes across the nation and to learn more, visit www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/us-bicycle-route-system/national-corridor-plan.
Source: Outdoor Chattanooga