SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee has recommended its first routes for designation as state scenic bikeways, and three are located in Central Oregon.

The committee's action was the first major step for eight locally proposed recreation routes to join a previously established Willamette Valley route as the nation's first state-designated scenic bikeways.

Proponents now must submit management plans that include maps, sign locations and marketing proposals before the Oregon Parks and Recreation can approve the final designations.

One of the recommended routes crosses the Cascade Mountains, and another forms a second Willamette Valley bikeway. The others are east of the Cascades.

The westernmost bikeways are named:

--McKenzie Pass, a 40-mile linear route following Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass between Sisters and McKenzie Bridge.

--Dorena Lake Loop, a 23-mile loop partially following an off-road path and back roads between Cottage Grove and Dorena Reservoir at the southern end of the Willamette Valley.

Three of the proposed routes are in central Oregon:

--Camp Sherman, a network of five, 17 and 21-mile loops passing through Camp Sherman near Sisters;

--Sisters-Smith Rock, a 44-mile linear route between Sisters and Smith Rock State Park;

--Twin Bridges Loop, a 32-mile loop ride on back roads between Bend and Tumalo.

The longest recommended routes are in eastern Oregon:

--Old West, a 199-mile loop connecting John Day, Prairie City, Dayville and Kimberly;

--Grand Tour, a 130-mile, figure-eight route linking La Grande, Union and Baker City;

--Blue Mountain Century, a 108-mile loop connecting Heppner, Ukiah and Vinson.

The existing Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is a 132-mile route between Champoeg State Heritage Area and Armitage County Park north of Eugene. Maps and descriptions of the bikeway, which serves as a model for Oregon's scenic bikeway program, are online at www.oregonscenicbikeways.org ..

The proposed designations for the Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee's consideration came from local nominators.

"The committee is looking for the best of the best bicycle rides in all of Oregon," said Alexandra Phillips, OPRD's state bicycle recreation coordinator.

Established in 2008, the program is a partnership between Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon, the Oregon Department of Transportation and OPRD. The program's step-by-step designation process is explained in an Oregon Scenic Bikeway handbook now online at www.oregonscenicbikeways.org ..

The Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee will accept route nominations again Jan.1-March 1, 2011. The advisory committee is composed of 11 members representing bicycle advocacy organizations, local governments, and state agencies involved in bicycling recreation or transportation.