Safe Bicycle Routes in Washington

Colburn Law

Posted in Bicycle Safety on December 3, 2022

Cycling is extremely popular in Washington. In fact, there are hundreds of miles of designated bicycle routes throughout the state! These U.S. bicycle routes are made of interstate long-distance cycling routes along off-road paths, lanes, and the shoulder of low-traffic roads and highways. 

These bicycle routes are generally safe and may even pose less risk than traditional roads and highways. The next time you want to go for a ride in Washington, keep these routes in mind for your future destination.

#1: U.S. Bicycle Route 10

U.S. Bicycle Route 10 extends from Pend Oreille County, which is located in Idaho, to Anacortes on the west coast of Washington. This route totals over 400 miles across the northernmost portion of the state. 

#2: U.S. Bicycle Route 87

U.S. Bicycle Route 87 begins at the Canadian border at Sumas. Then, the route extends south to Bellingham, Nooksack, and Sedro-Woolley and connects to the Centennial Trail, an extremely popular hiking and biking trail in Snohomish County.

#3: U.S. Bicycle Route 20

U.S. Bicycle Route 20 travels along U.S. Route 12, an east-west interstate highway. It begins at the Idaho state border at Clarkston and travels west over the Columbia Plateau to the Columbia County line. U.S. Bicycle Route 20 ends near the Lewis & Clark Trail State Park, a 26-acre camping park near the Touchet River.

#4: U.S. Bicycle Route 95

Like U.S. Bicycle Route 87, U.S. Bicycle Route 95 also begins at the Canadian border at Blaine. The route then extends south to Bellingham, then southeast to Burlington and Mount Vernon. Then. U.S. Bicycle Route 95 connects to the Centennial Trail in Snohomish County. 

#5: U.S. Bicycle Route 97

U.S. Bicycle Route 97 also begins at the Canadian border at Blaine and goes south to Bellingham. At this point, the route continues southwest to Anacortes and Oak Harbor to the Keystone/Coupeville Ferry Landing. 

#6: U.S. Bicycle Route 610

U.S. Bicycle Route 610 is an alternative route to U.S. Bicycle Route 10. This path goes through Sedro-Woolley in Skagit County. 

#7: U.S. Bicycle Route 281

U.S. Bicycle Route 281 begins at the city of Pullman and runs southeast along state route 27 and U.S. interstate highway 195. This route runs to the Washington/Idaho border near the Clarkston/Lewiston area.

#8: U.S. Bicycle Route 40

U.S. Bicycle Route 40 begins at the town of Tekoa and runs to the Idaho border. This route is very short compared to other bicycle routes and was designated to establish a presence in Washington state. 

#9: U.S. Bicycle Route 81

U.S. Bicycle Route 81 begins from the northern border of Whitman County, near Tekoa. It extends to Asotin, a town that is located south of Clarkston.

Injured in a Bicycle Accident? Speak to an Attorney

While these routes offer a safe and designated place for cyclists to travel in Washington state, accidents can still happen. If you were involved in a collision while riding your bike, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the person who was responsible.

In these situations, you need an attorney on your side who can fight for your right to recovery. As soon as possible after your accident, contact a Washington bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your next steps.