Washington State Scenic Bikeways

What makes a Scenic Bikeway

A Scenic Bikeway is a bike route made up of trails, shared use paths, bike lanes, and/or roadways which has exceptional scenic, cultural, historic and/or recreational value.

A Scenic Bikeway may connect parks and open spaces; have places to get food, stay overnight, or fix your bike along the way; and generally should encourage local economic activity. Routes may be located anywhere land managers provide their consent. 

Designating a Scenic Bikeway 

There is a multi-step process to designate a Scenic Bikeway. 

Step one 

Any individual may nominate a route using an online form. Routes should be contiguous, fully constructed and be comfortable places to ride bikes. Nominations will require a map of the proposed route, information on how to access the route, photos and a description of the scenic, cultural, historic and/or recreational value of that route.  

Step two 

Proponents of selected routes will make presentations to Parks staff, advisory task force members and local experts with knowledge of the proposed route’s area. Presentations will be approximately 10-20 minutes long and held virtually.  

Step three  

Parks staff prepare an implementation plan for the most feasible routes. This will include a sign plan, outreach plan, marketing plan, maintenance agreements with local jurisdictions, potential funding sources and any other information needed to implement a route as a Scenic Bikeway.  

Step four 

The proposed route(s) will be presented to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for formal action.  

Step 5 

With Commission approval, Parks staff will carry out the implementation plan. This process will repeat as resources are available.  

Scenic Bikeways Task Force

The Scenic Bikeways Task Force is an advisory group that works with Parks staff throughout the development and implementation of this new program. The task force is comprised of volunteers who serve two-year terms.

Parks seeks to incorporate community knowledge throughout the process to create a program that welcomes a broad group of recreational visitors. The task force is intended to reflect the diverse populations served by the agency.

Task force duties include:

• Reviewing and discussing draft processes, such as evaluation criteria for route proposals
• Reviewing and evaluating route proposals
• Providing recommendations on Scenic Bikeway designations to the State Parks and Recreation Commission
• Assisting in other aspects of program formation

Current task force members:

Background

The statewide Scenic Bikeways Program was established by the state legislature through Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”) 79A.05.800. Parks, supported by a task force of community members, is in the process of developing the program.