Meet David Lee, the Administrator for Statewide Planning and Policy Analysis at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). He has been with FDOT for the past 23 years and worked for AASHTO from 1975 through 1988. For much of his time at AASHTO he served as the Secretary to the U.S. Route Numbering Committee.I recently made David's acquaintance via telephone. David and I discussed some ideas he had for designating routes in Florida. He blew me away when he mentioned his past association with AASHTO's U.S. Route Numbering Committee and the first U.S. Bike Routes. David was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

You said you worked for AASHTO from 1975 -1988, tell us about your position and how it relates to the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS): I have very fond memories of my time at AASHTO where I had many responsibilities and opportunities in working with all the state departments of transportation. This period was especially exciting as the former highway organization, AASHO, had changed its name adding the "T" for transportation in 1973. The adoption of the AASHTO U.S. Bicycle Route Purpose and Policy (PDF) in 1978 was the first major step in establishing the USBRS, and the adoption of the first two routes in 1982 was the next major step. Over my time as Secretary, these two events were among the three most exciting events for me. The other was the removal of the last segment of U.S. Route 66 from the official log of U.S. Numbered Highways which also occurred during this period and drew much media attention. 

Documentation states the first U.S. Bicycle Routes were designated in 1982, what is your recollection of this? I remember that the two routes involved applications from four states (PDF), Virginia and North Carolina for USBR 1 and Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois for USBR 76. USBR 1 was a good number to start with and USRB 76 was linked to Bikecentennial ’76 and America’s Bicentennial. While I know there were many others involved in the submittal of these routes, the name I most associate with this action is Curtis Yates, from North Carolina, who gave me one of the original USBR 1 signs (pictured above). I never met him but we talked by phone and exchanged correspondence -- this was before email. Curtis had an enthusiasm and can-do attitude that I loved. I fully expected that these first two routes would be followed by a steady stream of more USBRS applications. After moving to Florida, I lost touch with the meetings of the U.S. Route Numbering Committee and progress on the USBRS. 

What lead up to the first routes being designated? Who was involved? Was there excitement? Resistance? Another very clear memory I have is my attendance at Pro Bike '82 held in Colorado Springs, CO. This was my first national meeting with bicycle folks from around the country. The enthusiasm was contagious and two people that I quickly developed ongoing professional relationships and friendships with were Bill Wilkinson and Katy Moran. I believe they, like myself, have changed organizations but they, along with Curtis Yates, are the people I most associate with the launching of the USBRS. The approval of the Purpose and Policy required approval by two-thirds of the states or at least 35 states. I do not recall any resistance. 

Why do you think it took 23 years for the next routes to be designated? This question is the most perplexing to me. As I've caught up with the status (triggered by FDOT activity last year), I was initially disappointed to hear that no other routes had been adopted since 1982. However, I've since learned there have been actions such as the appointment of a special AASHTO Task force, the involvement of several new bicycle advocacy groups, and the very significant development of the U.S. Bicycle Route Corridor Plan. Most recently, the adoption of new routes by AASHTO last year is very exciting to me. I've also learned that there are people like you, Ginny, who have that same enthusiasm I saw in Bill, Katy and Curtis some 30 years ago. The future of the USBRS is in good hands! 

In your present position at FDOT, what was your thought when you first heard Florida was interested in the USBRS? There was an obvious interest given my involvement with the first routes but I have especially enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with our true bicycle advocates at FDOT, Dennis Scott, Mary Anne Koos, Dwight Kingsbury and David O'Hagan. Florida has a long history of bicycle involvement both within FDOT and with our many partners around the state. 

How did you contribute to the Florida policy adoption process? Tell us about this process and what it means: I worked very closely with Mary Anne Koos in drafting our policyand we were delighted to see it adopted within a few months. I think it is a significant step since it puts FDOT on record as supportive of the USBRS and our intention to submit applications to AASHTO for Florida routes. 

How are you involved with the project today? We've held meetings to identify next steps and we've engaged our District offices. We've also made connections with the Georgia and Alabama DOTs. I plan to stay involved and do what I can to see routes adopted in Florida.

Any recommendations for others? Yes, don't be discouraged. Even though a significant period of time has passed between the adoption of the initial routes and those adopted last year, the system is established and the process for route adoption is not that difficult. A few people can make a difference and I'm encouraged to know that further breakthroughs have occurred and more are on the way!Photos by David Lee.

--

BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM (USBRS) is posted by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator at Adventure Cycling, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System. The USBRS project is a collaborative effort, spearheaded by a task force under the auspices of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Members of the task force include officials and staff from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, and nonprofits like the East Coast Greenway Alliance, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc. Read more from Tours...

SUPPORT THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM
Help make the USBRS a reality, donate today.