Adventure Cycling Campaign Raises Over $160,000 for U.S. Bicycle Route System

National cycling route network bolstered by generous contributions and approval of new U.S. Bike Routes

Missoula, Montana, June 24, 2014 — Adventure Cycling Association's fifth annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign raised more than $160,000 for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) during National Bike Month (May 2014).

“We greatly appreciate the support of our members, donors, and other cyclists,” said Adventure Cycling Executive Director Jim Sayer. “These funds will help us work side by side with more volunteers in more states to expand the U.S. Bicycle Route System in 2014.” To date, 6,790 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes have been designated in 15 states and the District of Columbia, helped in part by funds raised during Adventure Cycling’s annual spring campaign. The campaign has brought in more than a quarter of a million dollars for the project since 2010.

This year, two major donors provided a $25,000 match challenge at the outset of the campaign that was met in the first three weeks of the campaign by contributions from individual donors. The Tawani Foundation also pledged an additional $15,000 match challenge to inspire new donors to give. That match was also met during the campaign. Business sponsors gave $8,000, as well as providing numerous in-kind donations, used as giveaways to inspire individuals to contribute. Business sponsors included the following companies: Primal Wear, Planet Bike, Sun Bicycles, Bike Tours Direct, Ortlieb, and TeamEstrogen.com. In-kind sponsors included Beer & Bike Tours, Bikeflights.com, Cygolite, Nutcase, Osprey Packs, Park Tool, Thunder Island Brewing, Velo Orange, Detours, Growler Cage, and Primal Wear. Two bike clubs, Almaden Cycle Touring Club and Cascade Bicycle Club, contributed $2,000 total to encourage donations.

Adventure Cycling Association coordinates the U.S. Bicycle Route System under the auspices of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), providing technical assistance to states implementing routes. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A powerful voice in the transportation sector, AASHTO’s primary goal is to foster the development of an integrated national transportation system. In 2014, AASHTO contributed $10,000 to support the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

During the last week of the USBRS fundraising campaign, AASHTO's Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering approved U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 10 in Washington State, a segment of USBR 1 in Massachusetts, USBR 50 in Ohio, USBRs 36 and 37 in Illinois, and USBR 50 in the District of Columbia. The USBRS now consists of 6,790 miles of routes in 15 states and the District of Columbia, including Alaska, Kentucky, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. When complete, the U.S. Bicycle Route System will be the largest official bike route network on the planet, encompassing more than 50,000 miles of routes.

“Adventure Cycling members and other cycling supporters rally around this campaign each year as we raise funds and promote the vision of an America connected by bicycle routes and trails,” said Ginny Sullivan, director of travel initiatives at Adventure Cycling Association. “We are so lucky that each year we have also celebrated the on-the-ground expansion of the USBRS, marked by new route designations at AASHTO’s spring meeting. It’s been a fantastic way to celebrate National Bike Month!”

In 2014, Adventure Cycling's work on the U.S. Bicycle Route System was also supported in part by generous grants from the SRAM Cycling Fund, Lazar Foundation, and Climate Ride.

Learn more about the U.S. Bicycle Route System on Adventure Cycling Association's website, www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs, and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

CONTACT
Jim Sayer, Executive Director
jsayer@adventurecycling.org
Direct: (406) 532-2759 / Twitter: @advcyclingassoc

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Adventure Cycling Association inspires and empowers people to travel by bicycle. It is the premier bicycle-travel organization in North America with more than 47,000 members. Adventure Cycling produces cycling routes and maps for North America, organizes more than 80 tours annually, and publishes the best bicycle-travel information anywhere, including Adventure Cyclist magazine. With 42,180 meticulously mapped miles in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling gives cyclists the tools and confidence to create their own bike-travel adventures. Contact the office at (800) 755-BIKE (2453), info@adventurecycling.org, or visit www.adventurecycling.org.

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