Virginia Publishes Official Bicycling Map
By Jeff Day

Cyclists looking for ride possibilities in Virginia have a new resource – the commonwealth's first official bicycling map.

Developed by the Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Tourism Corp., the statewide Bicycling in Virginia map shows major on- and off-road bicycle routes and includes elevation charts for featured routes. Major mountain biking locations are also noted.

The front side of the large format map – 45 inches by 19 inches – shows the entire state and offers thumbnail descriptions of surface types of major bike routes, as well as the location of adjacent parking areas, public restrooms, and drinking water access. It shows Virginia's 838 miles of United States Bicycle Routes 1 and 76, among other roads and trails designated for bicycle use.

Also featured on the statewide map are names and general locations of national, state, and major local parks near bike routes, as well as the general locations and names of bicycling clubs that can provide advice on local rides and surface conditions

The reverse side includes a map of Northern Virginia bike routes, advice for bicycling safely and legally in the state, short descriptions of selected Virginia bike routes, and recommendations for obtaining more detailed information about biking in the Old Dominion.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine announced the map's release Nov. 21 in conjunction with the opening of the first phase of the planned Virginia Capital Trail.

That pedestrian/bike facility will connect the Canal Walk in downtown Richmond with Jamestown and Williamsburg, by way of the James River/Route 5 corridor and the Colonial Parkway

The trail will link Virginia's current capital with its colonial capital and the site of the nation's first English settlement. The 400th anniversary of Jamestown's founding will be celebrated in 2007.
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The map is available free of charge by mail or in PDF format by visiting VDOT.