Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen/Route 16

File:Pokemon FRLG Route16.png

Also known as "Cycling Road," Routes #16, #17, and #18 are a favorite hangout for bicyclists and motorcyclists alike. It just so happens that many of these two-wheeling enthusiasts are Pokémon trainers as well, and you must fight your way down the long slope to Fuchsia City. Once there, you will have a chance to visit the Safari Zone.

Before you head past the guard post, dig your Cut-trained Pokémon out of the computer in Celadon City and use him to snip away at the tree blocking the norther part of Route #16. It's here that you'll find the patch of wild grass that is your first chance to catch a Doduo, as well as a secret house containing HM02 - Fly. This ability grants you the ability to teleport to any city you've visited. In battle this is a two-turn Flying-type attack that is similar to Dig. If you want to use Doduo be sure to teach him to Fly.

If you haven't been working on your Pokedex, catch some Pokemon here. If you own at least 40 Pokemon, the aid upstairs will give you the Amulet Coin, a held item that doubles your winnings for a fight if the Pokemon holding the item has participated in the battle.

Pokemon

FireRed	Level	Encounter Rate	LeafGreen	Level	Encounter Rate
Doduo	18-25	35%	Doduo	18-25	35%
Rattata	18-22	30%	Rattata	18-22	30%
Spearow	20-22	30%	Spearow	20-22	30%
Raticate	23-25	5%	Raticate	23-25	5%
Special Pokemon
Snorlax	30	One	Snorlax	30	One
Note: Only two Snorlax are found in game. One here on route 12 and one on Route 16)

Trainers

Name	1st	2nd	3rd	Money
Lea & Jed	Rapidash 29	Ninetales 29		1624
Lao	Grimer 29	Koffing 29		580
Koji	Machop 28	Mankey 28	Machop 28	672
Luke	Mankey 28	Machop 28		696
Hideo	Weezing 33			660
Ruben	Weezing 28	Koffing 28	Weezing 28	560
Camron	Mankey 29	Machop 29		696

New Pokemon

#143 Snorlax

#84 Doduo

You won't get far in Route 16 without defeating the giant, sleeping Snorlax blocking your path. To wake him up, use your Blue Flute, and then defend yourself against his grumpy level 30 Snorlax rage. There's only one more Snorlax in the game (at Route #12), so it's best to capture him now! He'll learn some decent attacks at level 35 and beyond, but for now he's mainly defensive. He has a ton of hit points, comes with Rest, and wakes from it quickly. Don't let the fact that Snorlax is a Normal type from not considering it a part of your team, as it grows to be very strong, and with the addition of some TM's, it will become a force to be reckoned with. After you defeat him, use the Item Finder in the exact place where he was to find the item Leftovers.

The problem with Fly is that it requires a Flying-type Pokémon. And while Fly itself is a very useful skill, you won't get any Flyer worth adding to your party (like Aerodactyl) for a little while. So you'll want to pick up a disposable flying Pokémon for the time being... Like Doduo! Doduo, which can be caught in any version, is by no means bad. Doduo learns mostly Flying and Normal attacks, so most of his attacks will get the STAB advantage. At level 21, Doduo learns Tri Attack, a great Normal Move that has a 20% chance of Burning, Freezing, or Paralyzing the opponent!!! Its evolved form, Dodrio, is fairly speedy and a strong attacker, so it remains a good choice for your Elite Four team, especially if you don't want the hassle of raising Aerodactyl. As a final note, Doduo learns Drill Peck, a very strong Flying attack that can mow down any Fighting, Grass and Bug Pokemon, at level 37. It might be worthwhile not to let Doduo evolve until after it learns this great move, as Dodrio has to wait until level 47 to learn the same.