(a)
The department may establish a process for identifying and promoting bicycle routes of national, state, or regional significance that meet specified criteria.
(b)
In designating routes, the department may consider the following:
(1)
Historic routes.
(2)
Established training routes or other designated routes, including legs of the Tour of California.
(3)
Routes of unique scenic significance.
(c)
In identifying bicycle routes of national, state, or regional significance, the
department may work with the California Travel and Tourism Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation, federal agencies that operate and maintain roadways for public use, statewide trade organizations, including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Bicycle Coalition, local tourism entities, chambers of commerce, and local bicycle organizations.
(d)
The department may form an advisory committee to help implement the provisions of this section. The department may establish a process whereby organizations, including, but not limited to, local bicycle organizations, private entities, or local or state governmental entities may nominate a route for inclusion in the system of bicycle routes of national, state, or regional significance.
(e)
The department may develop criteria for the design, placement, and installation of signs relative to bicycle routes of
national, state, or regional significance.
(f)
It is the intent of the Legislature that city or county participation in establishing local routes of significance under this article shall be voluntary, similar to the State Scenic Highway Program.