PeopleForBikes, a national bicycling advocacy nonprofit, strongly advocated for the bipartisan law that will improve and expand America's outdoor recreation economy; increase access to the outdoors for veterans, youth, and marginalized groups; and develop long-distance bike trails nationwide.
On Saturday, January 4, President Biden signed the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act into law. The bill passed the U.S. Senate unanimously on December 19 and was first introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) in April 2024.
The EXPLORE Act combines nearly a dozen outdoor recreation initiatives into one policy focused on federal public lands including national parks, national forests, and lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. The comprehensive package directs federal land management agencies to improve and develop new and accessible infrastructure and includes several ground-breaking recreation bills such as the Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act, Outdoors for All Act, Outdoor Recreation Act, Biking on Long Distance Trails Act, and others.
PeopleForBikes was deeply involved in championing this historic legislation and celebrates its potential to significantly enhance and expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities on America's public lands and waters. PeopleForBikes strongly advocated for the passage of the EXPLORE Act and the companion America's Outdoor Recreation Act so all Americans have the opportunity to explore our nation's natural environments and landscapes.
"The signing of the EXPLORE Act into law marks a monumental step forward for outdoor recreation across the U.S.," said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice.
"In 2024, voters approved $11.4 billion in funding dedicated to recreation infrastructure like bike paths, natural surface trails, and bike parks, underscoring a growing nationwide commitment to expanding access to the outdoors. This historic, bipartisan legislation comes at a pivotal moment as we strive to ensure every American can fully experience the benefits of our public lands."
The EXPLORE Act will facilitate greater access to outdoor recreation across the U.S. by:
● Modernizing permitting processes for guides and outfitters on public lands
● Building adaptive trails for veterans and people with disabilities
● Improving access to America's public lands and waters
● Ensuring underserved communities have access to green spaces by prioritizing funding
for local outdoor recreation projects
● Developing, improving, and completing long-distance trails
● Investing in rural economic development
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association and a national advocacy nonprofit representing 325 bicycle industry supplier members and 1.4 million individuals. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike; advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to access and welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: Become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org.
