TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas transportation officials have designated 487 miles of state roads to become part of a national bicycle route.  The Kansas route starts near Girard and ends near Tribune after winding through the Flint Hills and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. It includes portions of U.S. 54, Kansas 19 and Kansas 96.

The roads will become part of the U.S. Bicycle Route 76, which supporters hope will eventually stretch from Virginia to Oregon.

The route totals 2,013 miles from Virginia through Kansas. Officials said the Kansas route was added after Missouri, and Kansas cities and counties support the designation.

Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King said in a news release that the route could help tourism by attracting bicyclists from across the country to Kansas.