New ‘Bicycling in Virginia’ State Bike Map Available

Free bike maps available at all Virginia Welcome Centers and local visitor centers.

RICHMOND — Just in time to enjoy the great outdoors and the beautiful colors of fall, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released an updated version of the Commonwealth of Virginia Bicycling in Virginia map. A full-color map geared toward both avid and leisure cyclists, the updated map includes bicycle trails, regional inset maps and a guide for riding safely and legally in Virginia.

VDOT worked in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Tourism Corporation to create this updated map in order to keep pace with the growing demand for bicycling information from both Virginia residents and visitors. The first edition was released in the fall of 2006.

VDOT also worked with advocacy groups and bicycle clubs across the state to identify new trails and other features, such as new bicycle groups. The free Bicycling in Virginia map is available at all Virginia Welcome Centers, local visitor centers and online atwww.virginiadot.org/bikemap/. Travelers can also obtain the map and a Virginia Travel Guide by visiting www.Virginia.org or by calling 1-800-VISITVA.

“We are proud to offer this new edition of the bike map that highlights all the new places to ride like the High Bridge Trail State Park and the Charles City Courthouse section of the Virginia Capital Trail,” said Commissioner Greg Whirley. “These maps have been in high demand with requests from all over Virginia as well as the nation.”

Virginia is home to some of America’s most popular bicycle trails that attract visitors from around the world. The commonwealth has 838 miles of the U.S. Bicycle Route system, the most miles of any state, and is the only state with both U.S. Bicycle Routes (routes 1 and 76) running through it.

“Maps like these are a great resource for families coming to Virginia to enjoy the great outdoors,” said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Biking is something that visitors can enjoy in every region of the state on trails that cross through historic sites, natural beauty, cobblestone streets and small town treasures.”

Each inset map features attractions to see and visit along the way, and a thorough narrative describing trail highlights and notable features. Riders can determine what to expect before starting out by checking the map’s elevation profiles for each of the seven featured trails.

Many miles of Virginia’s bicycle trails are laid out on the abandoned beds of old railroad lines, providing grades manageable for most bikers. The Virginia Creeper Trail is the best-known of these while others include the New River Trail, the Tobacco Heritage Trail and portions of the Northern Virginia Trail Network.

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• 2014-2019 Six-Year Improvement Program Public Input Meetings