The United States Bicycle Route System is like a big map for people who want to ride their bikes across the country!
You know how sometimes when you want to go on a trip, you look at a map or GPS to figure out the best way to get there? Well, the United States Bicycle Route System is kind of like that, but made just for people who want to ride their bikes instead of drive a car or take a plane.
The System divides the whole United States into smaller routes and they give each of them a special number, kind of like a secret code. So, just like how you might use a secret code to find your way to a special place, people who want to bike across the country can use these route numbers to figure out the best way to get to their destination.
But, the people who made the United States Bicycle Route System didn't just make up the routes randomly! They thought really carefully about which roads and paths would be the safest and most fun for people on bikes. They worked with lots of different groups, like bicycle organizations, government officials, and regular people who like to ride bikes, to make sure that the routes are good for everyone.
So, when you see those big green signs with the United States Bicycle Route System logo on them, you'll know that you're on a really cool adventure with lots of other bike riders!