Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act

What it does

This bill establishes requirements related to long-distance bike trails.

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall identify

• not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use of existing trails and roads, and

• not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance bike trail.

Interior and USDA shall

• develop a process to allow members of the public to comment regarding the identification of trails and areas; and

• consider the identification, development, and completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner.

The Department concerned shall ensure that each identified long-distance bike trail or area does not conflict with

• the uses of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike trail;

• multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses;

• the purposes for which any trail was or is established under the National Trails System Act; and

• any area managed under the Wilderness Act.

The Department concerned shall also ensure that each identified long-distance trail or area complies with land use and management plans of the federal recreational lands that are part of that long-distance bike trail.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Mar 1, 2023 (Introduced in House). CRS summarizes bills impartially; it does not take positions.