We’re making biking better in Utah through funding local bike projects, supporting pro-bike policies and legislation at the local and state levels and highlighting great hometown routes on Ride Spot. At the local level, we rallied support for the Mid-Valley Active Transportation Network Plan, which created better options for residents and visitors to get around Salt Lake City’s mid-valley communities safely by providing regional connections between communities for walking, biking, scooters, and public transportation. In 2017, we helped fund community engagement for the Folsom Trail, a multi-use path extending from Provo to Ogden and to the Salt Lake City central business district. 

Every day, individuals are discovering the many benefits of electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) — they allow more individuals to get out and ride, regardless of their age or physical or cognitive abilities. Electric mountain bikes provide a needed boost to make climbing hills easier and going longer distances require less effort.

As eMTB technology evolves, more and more riders are asking themselves, “Where can I ride my eMTB?” Unfortunately, the answer is not always clear. Many state resource agencies lack modern-day regulations that govern electric bicycle use on natural surface and non-motorized trails. These outdated rules confuse many riders who are simply looking to ride their low-speed eMTB in the same places as traditional mountain bikes.

PeopleForBikes believes that electric bicycles are very similar to bicycles, and their rules and use should be similarly regulated. Modern day electric bicycle regulations have already been adopted in 28 states’ traffic codes thanks to legislators and advocates who saw the need to seamlessly modernize their policies to reflect the needs of today’s riders.

When it comes to off-road trail access for electric bicycles, governed by rules and regulations within state natural resource agencies, PeopleForBikes supports the adoption of electric bicycle rules that define three classes of electric bicycles and, at a minimum, allow Class 1 electric bicycles on non-motorized, natural surface trails that permit bicycle use. State resource agencies with regulations such as this can be found  below.

Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed. 


Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed. 

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation

Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1, 2 and 3 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed. 

Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed.

Defines three classes of electric bicycles and allows Class 1 and 3 electric bicycles wherever bicycles are allowed. 


Electric bicycles play an essential role in the future of modern outdoor experiences and regulations need to be in place that reflect the growing demand.

PeopleForBikes stands as a technical resource for land managers as they develop electric bicycle policies that suit the needs of their local communities. Once finalized, electric bicycle policies should be deployed with educational materials on trail etiquette. Many of the common issues experienced by all trail users can be alleviated through reminders on how to courteously share the trail. Trail etiquette materials are just one of the many resources PeopleForBikes provides to land managers to help make the transition to more modern electric bicycle policies.

 Materials on trail etiquette are just one of the many resources PeopleForBikes provides to land managers to help make the transition to modernize their agency’s code a simple process. Want to improve eMTB access in your area? Check out our electric bicycle webpage or reach out to PeopleForBikes’ Regulatory and Policy Analyst, Ashley Seaward at ashley@peopleforbikes.org.

Electric Mountain Bike Access in State Parks is Improving

David (Blake) Baker, an Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Bureau of Land Management’s Price Field Office in Utah, recently received e-bike loans, coordinated by PeopleForBikes, for him and his colleagues to see how their day to day jobs may be different with the use of e-bikes as a tool for daily transportation needs.

Blake and his team found that the e-bikes provided greater ease and efficiency in completing their daily duties around the Price Field Office. Read on for Blake’s experience using the e-bike loan program. 

If you’re a land manager interested in participating in the e-bike loan program, contact ashley@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

The e-bikes provided by PeopleForBikes allowed us to monitor more trail miles per day than we have been able to accomplish with traditional bikes. Typically, our most popular point to point trail is only monitored west to east as a shuttled run. With the assistance of the e-bikes, we were able to ride the trail bi-directionally, which allowed us to identify issues that were overlooked when traveling only west to east. Traditionally, monitoring on this trail has primarily consisted of data collection because of energy and time constraints. However, with the assistance of the e-bikes we were able to achieve a slightly faster average speed while climbing and conserved the energy needed to spend more time performing trail maintenance duties.

The e-bikes allowed us to travel routes on the farthest reaches of our Wood Hill trail system. It was the first time I had personally ridden some of the trails because they contain several technical climbing sections. Knowing I would end up pushing my bike up most of the way, I avoided them entirely. These trails are some of the most lightly used in the network and It was great to have the opportunity to ride them and determine maintenance and signage needs.  

We also took the bikes on a field trip to allow all staff an opportunity to get familiar with their operation and see for themselves the purpose e-bikes can serve.

Overall, it was a great experience. I am grateful for the opportunity PeopleForBikes provided the Price Field Office to use the bikes and discover how they can be an asset to our recreation program. 

E-Bikes an Asset for Recreational Trail Programs

On Oct. 22, 2019, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) implemented the Department of Interior’s Secretarial Order 3376 with its interim electric bicycle (e-bike) policy.

The BLM manages thousands of miles of trails open to bicycles (motorized and non-motorized) across the country. This e-bike policy will allow land managers to begin the process of determining whether to allow e-bikes on non-motorized trails, and which classes.

BLM District and Field Managers can allow the use of Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes where other types of bicycles are allowed. However, managers may restrict e-bike access based on local conditions such as potential impacts to natural and cultural resources, potential user conflicts and the local regulations and policies.

Currently, e-bikes are allowed on any off-highway vehicle area or motorized trail that is open to the public. Before allowing e-bike use on a non-motorized trail, a BLM manager must issue a written decision to authorize the use of e-bikes with appropriate public comment. Check with your local BLM land manager for the most up to date information.

You can find more details of the BLM’s interim e-bike policy here and their public guidance and FAQ sheet here. Check out this spreadsheet for specific land management decisions in your area and our website for further explanation of the Department of Interior’s recent e-bike announcement. Still have questions? Contact Ashley at ashley@peopleforbikes.org.

Great BLM e-bike routes you can ride today:

Slickrock National Recreation Trail — UT

Riding on BLM lands? What you need to know

On Aug. 29, Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt ordered the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service (NPS) to establish interim policies within 30 days that guide the use of e-bikes on public lands. The departments were encouraged to adopt a policy that allows e-bikes to be ridden where traditional bicycles are allowed. You can learn more about the Secretarial Order.

The NPS announced its new e-bike policy on Aug. 30, stating that e-bikes may be used in the same manner as traditional bicycles, allowing them on park roads, paved or hardened trails, areas designated for off-road motor vehicle use and administrative roads where traditional bikes are allowed. E-bikes are not allowed in wilderness areas and individuals may not operate an e-bike where the motor can be used to propel the rider without pedaling, except in locations that are open to motor vehicle traffic.

NPS Superintendents had 30 days following the agency’s announcement to either amend their Compendium to include an e-bike policy that considers the safety, resource protection and local requirements of their community, or to adopt the e-bike policy as stated in the National Park Service’s announcement.

PeopleForBikes maintains a spreadsheet of the National Parks, Monuments, Seashores and Recreational Areas that have either updated their Superintendent’s Compendium to reflect the Secretarial Order or created a new e-bike policy based on local community needs of their land. We will keep this updated with information as we receive it and hope it is a useful resource.

These policy announcements are a watershed moment for e-bikes riders. Next time you plan a trip to the outdoors with your e-bike, check out the many new incredible rides available in national parks. Happy trails!

The White Rim Road, Canyonlands National Park

Going-to-the-sun Road, Glacier National Park

Stone Cliff Road, New River Gorge National River

Lake Village Trail, Yellowstone National Park

From world-class mountain biking to wine tasting tours on two wheels, don’t forget to bring your helmet the next time you pack your bags.

For most Americans, the pandemic forced leisure travel to the back burner throughout 2020. Instead, people began to explore the outdoors closer to home: A survey of American adults conducted by PeopleForBikes found that, in 2020, 10% of American adults engaged in bicycling in a new way and that 87% of those new riders plan to keep riding in a post-pandemic world.

For those looking to combine their newfound (or longtime favorite) hobby with their next getaway, here are five vacation cities to experience by bike. 

In a region known for great mountain biking, Fayetteville stands out, although that hasn’t always been the case. “Trying to ride a bike across town as a kid and even into my teenage years, we didn’t have any bike lanes and there wasn’t even a sharrow until the early 2000s,” said Fayetteville Mobility Coordinator Dane Eifling. “Then, our mayor got support to fund a trails program. No one knew quite what it was at the time, but it led to the creation of the backbone of our trail system today.”

Since the installation of its first trails, Fayetteville’s bike network has grown exponentially. Eifling nods to smart planning by the city being a major factor behind the network’s success. “We built trails that would get the most use — not ones that would be the cheapest or most convenient to build,” said Eifling. “Focusing on trails that would get the most activity first helped us get funding and support to build more.”

Today, Fayetteville is one of the best cities to visit for hardcore bike enthusiasts and general outdoor recreationalists alike, reflected in its top Community Score among all medium-sized cities in our 2021 City Ratings. For mountain bikers, 50 miles of paved multi-use paths throughout town mean you never have to load up the car to access a great ride. Dozens of trails, including brand new Centennial Park, are within a short pedal from town, offering up enticing terrain for riders of all abilities. And if you’re looking for an epic road ride, Fayetteville’s unique topography allows for some all-time rides. 

“We host a lot of world-renowned stage races,” Eifling said. “The rolling hills of the Ozarks are the perfect terrain for those looking for something advanced.” 

Trying to spend more time around town? Eifling says there’s a laundry list of hotels that cater to bicyclists throughout Fayetteville’s downtown area. “You can stay at a bike-friendly hotel and easily ride to a coffee shop or take a leisurely ride on the paved trails,” said Eifling. “Our recreational trails follow along the creeks to avoid major hills and the trees lining the water keep things shaded and cool during the summer months. You can truly see all of Fayetteville from a bicycle.”

Going forward, Fayetteville is working to build a shared-use paved trail within a 10-minute walk of every resident, a goal that’s 80% complete. Once it’s done, it’ll benefit visitors too.

Looking to add a little pedal power to your next relaxing tropical vacation? Look no further than Key West, Florida, one of the top 10 small cities in our 2021 City Ratings. Perched at the southernmost tip of the U.S., just 90 miles north of Cuba, the island is known for its bright, pastel-colored architecture, lively nightlife, beaches and historic sites. It’s also best experienced on two wheels. 

Sizing up at just under five square miles, Key West is incredibly bikeable — it takes less than half an hour to bike from one end of the island to the other. Car-Free Key West, a program developed by the city’s planning department dedicated to promoting a smart and attainable future for the island, champions a “Park It and Forget It” approach to visiting by car. Once you arrive, everything you’ll need is an easy walk or bike ride away.

Key West’s tourist destinations include everything from the Southernmost Point, an Instagram-worthy spot marking the lowest latitudinal point in the continental U.S., to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which offers daily tours of the famous writer’s estate. Pedaling around southern Florida all day is sure to work up an appetite, and the island’s main drag — Duval Street — is flush with restaurants and bars serving up local specialties like fried conch.

Round out your trip with a truly unique bicycling experience: the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. Paralleling U.S. Highway 1, a designated National Scenic Highway, this paved, multi-use trail stretches nearly 100 miles between Key Largo and Key West. Crossing 23 historic Flagler Railroad bridges built at the turn of the 20th century, the trail passes through some of the most scenic nature southern Florida has to offer. It also offers access to two national parks, four wildlife refuges and 10 Florida State Parks, making it a must-pedal for nature and bicycling lovers alike.

Solvang, California, nestled in a lush valley about 125 miles north of Los Angeles, is easily one of the most unique destinations on this list. Part wine country, part Danish, this southern California treasure is truly one of a kind. 

Solvang prides itself on being “a little slice of Denmark in Southern California,” and when you walk through the quaint downtown, it’s easy to see why. Old-world Danish architecture lines the streets and Solvang’s rich cultural heritage is evident around every corner. Like many of the customs borrowed from its lineage, Solvang is also an amazing place for bicycling, ranking fifth out of 307 small U.S. cities in our 2021 City Ratings.

The surrounding rolling hills are home to some of the best road riding in the United States. Solvang is the spring basecamp for many pro cycling teams training in the U.S. and there’s an abundance of wine country cycling tours available to riders of all abilities. Upwards of 125 wineries speckle the Santa Ynez Valley, serving as pit stops for private tastings. Whether you come for the biking and stay for the wine, or vice versa, Solvang is the perfect destination for folks looking for the very best of both. 

Back in town, more than 35 restaurants within an easy biking distance of 18 hotels offer up international cuisine (and more wine) for the appetite you surely worked up while out in the saddle. Plus, it’s California — even in the coldest winter months, daytime highs average around 66 degrees.

Park City is primarily known for its skiing, but Trails and Open Space Manager Heinrich Deters says the rise of mountain biking during the early ‘90s helped transform it into a year-round destination. “It used to just be people that would come to ski during the winter and leave during the summer,” said Deter. “Mountain biking was something that caught on with 10 or 20 of us who would build trails on the old mining company property. In my opinion, that was the first shift from winter-only resort to full-year resort.”

Today, those ski-bums-turned-trail builders who stuck around are the reason Park City has a family-friendly bike culture and earned one of the highest Community Scores among small U.S. cities in the 2021 City Ratings. “Everyone that lives here now are the ones that stayed for the summers, and now they’re raising kids,” said Deters. “The core group of locals have been here 25 to 30 years, and that's a lot of who you’ll see out on trails — a mom, a dad and some kids.”

Deters also notes that Park City’s immediate access to trails makes the town perfect for bike enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. “In Park City, we like to say that your garage is your trailhead: You can ride out of any neighborhood around town and be at a trail in two to three minutes,” said Deters, adding that there’s plenty of options to keep even the most avid riders busy. “You can visit Park City every summer and not ride the same trail for at least five years.”

Less than an hour drive from downtown Salt Lake City, Park City’s high mountain locale blesses it with favorable weather during the summer months. “The elevation change is a couple of thousand feet between the valley and here, and with that, we get great weather,” said Deters. “It’s not too hot, there are no bugs and it’s fairly temperate during the biking season.” 

While Park City’s bike culture definitely leans more off-road, Deters says there’s still plenty to do around town on two wheels. “Our public bike share system in town is a cheap, economical way to experience everything Park City has to offer — whether it’s stopping by a free concert happening every other block or just pedaling out to one of our many parks and open spaces,” said Deters. “You can come up and have a great, entry-level cycling experience with little investment.”

A small college town bordering Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Marquette is an ideal off-the-radar vacation spot. The city of 21,000 sits adjacent to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park along with scores of lakes, rivers and forests, and hosts a vibrant, easily bikeable downtown — full of restaurants, art shops and breweries. 

Marquette’s been investing in active transportation since the 1970s, building routes along former railway corridors and other scenic spaces. According to David Stensaas, planner and zoning administrator for Marquette, the city has a winning combination of easily accessible singletrack combined with paved trails along the Lake Superior shoreline and through the downtown corridor. 

While lake-effect weather systems blanket Marquette in snow from October to May, the long winter season has fostered a diehard community of fat bikers. The fat-tire trails are maintained by the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) organization, who grooms dozens of miles of trails within biking distance of downtown for use throughout the winter. 

“For those who believe in ‘cyclotherapy,’ biking through the dark days of winter is a much better option than Prozac,” joked Stensaas, noting the colder months of the year not only see a lot of snow, but also little sunlight for the northern latitude city.

In the milder summer months, NTN has hundreds of local members who help maintain 40-plus miles of singletrack mountain biking trails surrounding Marquette. In the fall, those same trails boast some of the best leaf-peeping in the Upper Peninsula, with the entire forested region covered in stunning hues of yellow, orange and red.

Marquette prides itself on an extensive history of mining in the region, highlighted through the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. The 47-mile, multi-use paved trail follows corridors that brought lumber and iron ore to the Lake Superior Harbor. Equal parts recreation and education, the heritage trail connects communities across Marquette County and allows visitors to experience historical sites while winding through a stunning natural landscape. Marquette’s diverse biking amenities, which earned the city ninth place among small U.S. cities in our 2021 City Ratings, make it an easy choice for repeat visits.

Every summer, Provincetown, a coastal town with 3,000 year-round residents on the tip of Cape Cod, floods with tourists drawn to the scenic beaches, small-town charm and abundance of LGBTQ+ festivities. Provincetown has long been a queer vacation destination, with gay culture in the town dating back to as early as the start of the 20th century. Celebrations like Carnival, a weeklong celebration of LGBTQ+ life, see upwards of 90,000 visitors every August, and Provincetown’s gay and lesbian events stretch all summer long.

Ranking number one overall for U.S. cities in our 2021 City Ratings, Provincetown’s open, accepting culture combined with its ease of bikeability make it the perfect destination for anyone looking for a relaxing summer vacation. Whether it’s whale watching along Race Point Beach, letting the pup off the leash at the Pilgrim Bark Park or catching one of the countless parties and parades that stretch down Provincetown’s main drag — Commercial Street — every destination is no more than a 15-minute bike ride away from the heart of town.

No matter your reason for visiting, everyone is welcome in Provincetown. While it may be small in size, the town is filled to the brim with places to see and things to do — so much so that many visitors have been returning every summer, year after year, for decades.

How does your city rank? Check out our 2021 City Ratings and learn how to improve your score.

A quick update on pro-bike policies from across the U.S.

Every year, PeopleForBikes monitors more than 200 state legislative bills to track the national bicycling landscape and quickly rally our supporters to back proposed improvements that could benefit bike riding in areas like infrastructure, funding, incentives and safety regulations.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic required many legislatures to adjust their sessions to accommodate virtual settings, many pro-bike bills across the U.S. still progressed through the legislative process. A few recent examples of these bills can be found below.

Model electric bicycle legislation: These bills define electric bicycles using the three-class system, establish rules of the road similar to human-powered bicycles and exempt electric bicycles from the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles. Model electric bicycle legislation was passed in Alabama (HB 99), Iowa (HF 493), Minnesota (HF 10), Missouri (SB 176), Mississippi (HB 1195), Nevada (SB 369), North Dakota (HB 1148) and Vermont (SB 66) this year.

Safe passing: These bills typically require the driver of a vehicle to provide at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle traveling the same direction on a roadway. Safe passing laws were passed in North Dakota (HB 1290) and Georgia (HB 353) this year.

Idaho stop: These bills typically allow bike riders to treat a stop sign as a yield sign and a red light as a stop sign in certain situations. Idaho stop laws were passed in North Dakota (HB 1252), Oklahoma (HB 1770) and Utah (HB 142) this year.

Vulnerable users: These bills typically help protect vulnerable road users, such as bike riders and pedestrians, by establishing fines that discourage and punish careless driving. A vulnerable users law was passed in Maryland (HB 118) this year.

Sustainable Transportation: This legislation supports decreasing the transportation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by investing in bicycle infrastructure and electric alternatives to combustion vehicles. Sustainable transportation laws were passed in Colorado (SB 260) and Washington (HB 1091) this year.

PeopleForBikes works diligently to track bills at all levels of government that improve bike riding and support bike businesses nationwide. Check out our policy finder to stay up to date on what we’re currently tracking and sign up for our newsletter to receive an alert when a pro-bike policy is proposed in your area. Any additional questions? Contact PeopleForBikes Regulatory and Policy Analyst Ashley Seaward at ashley@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

PeopleForBikes’ 2021 Mid-Year Legislative Recap

While we’re working from home, PeopleForBikes staff members have found a multitude of ways to stay mentally and physically active. We’ve done puzzles, walked our dogs, walked our dogs again, started doing at-home yoga classes, learned new recipes — did we mention puzzles? Despite all of the day-to-day changes we’ve experienced, one thing hasn’t changed much: we still love riding our bikes. 

Looking to share some of our solo rides with our coworkers as a little inspiration, it’s no surprise we turned to Ride Spot, the navigation app and social platform we developed to enable better bike riding experiences. Check out some of the social distancing friendly rides the PeopleForBikes staff have been going on over the last few weeks:

Our COO Jenn got in a great fat bike ride up in Breckenridge. While the mountain and most other on-snow businesses closed prematurely a month ago, the bike trails were wide open!

Jordan, our government relations and accounts manager, went on a nice little loop exploring her neighborhood in Denver. 

While Congressional work on COVID-19 remedies continued at a furious pace, Federal Affairs Manager Noa was able to take some time to pedal around D.C. and enjoy the freshly blooming cherry blossoms.

Riley, our marketing coordinator, enjoyed an undulating20-mile cruise around Boulder, home of PeopleForBikes HQ.

PeopleForBikes Designer Alex (or Butters, as she’s affectionately known around the office)toured the countryside around her new Indiana homebase in Bloomington. We’re definitely going to ask her to express ship some goodies from the Sausage Shack to HQ as soon as things get back to normal. 

Ashley, our regulatory and policy analyst, took a30-mile out-and-back gravel rideand cataloged some beautiful trailside murals before enjoying a tasty post-ride beer!

Our Business and Political Engagement Manager Eric shared so many rides with us it was hard to pick a favorite, but this 40-mile leg burner with 3,500 feet of climbing was a standout — especially with those drool-worthy views of snow-covered hills. 

Jose, our marketing director, explored amountain dirt road on an out-and-back ride with his wife just outside their home near Park City, Utah. While warm temps and spring weather are (almost) becoming the norm in Boulder, there’s still plenty of snow left in Utah’s Uinta range!

JJ, director of data and technology, went hunting for dinosaurs at the Triceratops Trail in her hometown of Golden. 

PFB VP of Finance Erik headed south intoDenver for a donut and espressoand even caught some kayakers practicing their version of social distancing on the South Platte River. 

Our Director of Grants and Partnerships Zoe rolled around her neighborhood. With plenty of time on their hands being home from school, local kids took to the streets with chalk drawings, words of encouragement and ideas on how to stay healthy while being house-bound. They left biking off the list, but we’ll let it slide. 

Last but not least, Eric, one of the masterminds behind Ride Spot, shared his quick lunch ride— including directions on how to make the best cup of Joe on the go!

Looking for more inspiration? We've got you covered.

Pedaling Through The Pandemic: Staff Rides

Great bike rides can start anywhere, but sometimes it’s worth the extra travel to race to a backdrop of breathtaking coastal landscapes, glorious mountain peaks or rugged desert terrain. We’ve highlighted 13 bike events that we think are worth the trip in 2019 — including some old favorites.

Bentonville, Arkansas (Oct. 11–13, 2019)

Connect with a selection of the finest Northwest Arkansas singletrack, double track and paved segments at the Oz Trails Off-Road event. With 25-,35- and 50-mile routes plus daily festivities, riders of all levels can enjoy the beauty of the Ozark mountains and mingle with other mountain bike enthusiasts along the way. If you’re still not convinced, finishers receive a custom-designed mason jar filled with with locally produced pimento cheese.

If you’re up for tackling Colorado’s extreme, high-altitude terrain we highly suggest signing up for this one-of-a-kind MTB race. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, Leadville’s picturesque Rocky Mountain views will almost make you forget about the altitude effects. This out-and-back route takes place mostly on forest trails with the occasional stretch of mountain road.

Created in the spirit of the Belgian one-day cycling classics, the 2019 edition of this challenging race takes riders 136 miles up mountains, across dirt sections and over water crossings. The 12,000 feet of climbing is not for the faint of heart, but your strenuous effort is sure to earn you some delicious waffles and post-race libations. If this is your first gravel grinder, we recommend checking out the shorter 76-mile Belgian Wafer Ride.

Ketchum, Idaho (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, 2019)

Started in 2013 by renowned bike racer Rebecca Rusch, RPI is a long-haul gravel ride and outdoor festival held over Labor Day weekend. Named “one of the top five gravel events in the world” by Global Cycling Network, each day gives riders a chance to take on a grueling yet spectacular course through the central part of Idaho. To top it all off, RPI benefits four bike-focused nonprofits, including PeopleForBikes.

What better way to enjoy Vermont’s scenic autumn landscape than by mountain bike? Across 50 hilly miles, riders travel through spectacular fall foliage and gain a total of 8,900 vertical feet. Female participants may opt to race as a two-person bike relay, an alternative designed to encourage higher participation by women.

Ever dreamed of riding your bike alongside the stunning coastline of California or through the red rock cathedrals of Death Valley National Park? Climate Ride organizes charitable events across the world to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation and environmental causes. Choose from over 100 beneficiary organizations—including PeopleForBikes—whether you sign up for an organized event or take on an independent challenge any time throughout the year.

Launched in 2006 with just 34 registrants, the Dirty Kanza now welcomes over 2,000 gravel-grinding enthusiasts, thanks to the growing popularity of the sport. With routes ranging from 25 to 350 miles, this event offers entry-level riders a small taste of the gravel riding experience, while seasoned professionals can tackle a demanding endurance feat through the Flint Hills.

RAGBRAI, more formally known as the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. This rolling celebration of the Hawkeye State brings participants from all over the US, as well as international racers. The course changes every year, but averages 468 miles. Expect to begin somewhere along Iowa’s western border on the Missouri River and pedal through the finish on the state’s eastern border on the Mississippi River.

This uniquely formatted race gives riders of all types the opportunity explore the stunning back country of Utah’s Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest—all while accumulating over 10,000 feet of elevation gain. Featuring a 60/40 split of gravel-to-tarmac sectors, a cyclocross, gravel or mountain bike will get the job done. Though registration has closed for 2019, look out for transfer opportunities in April.

Named one of the best trips by Outside Magazine, the Farm to Fork Fondo series aims to highlight and support the relationship between bike riders, farmers and beautiful landscapes. Participants work up an appetite riding challenging courses through scenic farmland with timed segments, magnificent views and aid stations featuring locally-sourced treats. The 2019 series will visit New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and Kentucky.

Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Sept. 7, 2019)

Started in 1983 by two Utah cyclists, LoToJa was inspired by the difficulty of a one-day European classic bike race like Paris-Roubaix. The 200+ mile course takes riders over three mountain passes through Utah, Idaho and Wyoming and finishes as the base of the rugged Teton mountain range.

This 40-mile, car-free tour begins in Lower Manhattan, travels through the heart of Central Park, over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and finishes in Staten Island. Look forward to musicians, performers and lots of cheering crowds scattered along the route, as well as a special finish line festival to celebrate your effort. Proceeds from the event help fund Bike New York’s free bicycle education programs.

Kalkaska to Traverse City, Michigan (Nov. 2, 2019)

If winter weather doesn’t keep you off your bike, grab your gloves and head to the Great Lakes State this November. This point-to-point mountain bike race consists primarily of dirt roads, two-tracks, abandoned railroad beds and the world-famous Vasa Nordic ski trail. Since 1990, Riders of all ages and experience levels have traveled to this race to enjoy the stunning terrain of the Pere Marquette State Forest.

Are we missing one of your favorite bike events? Be sure to share your must-do rides with us in the comments below or on social media.

A Dozen (Plus One) Bucket List Rides for 2019

On Monday, December 4, President Trump visited Salt Lake City to make an unprecedented announcement regarding two National Monuments in Utah. The president signed new proclamations that will dramatically reduce the area of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. This announcement is a damaging blow for millions of acres in Southern Utah that have tremendous cultural and conservation value, and deserve their status as monuments. For bike riders, this means that trails in areas that have been eliminated from the existing monuments will no longer be afforded the same level of protection, and could be exposed to greater risks from development. Visitor experiences and archaeological protection may suffer.

Under the new proclamation for Bears Ears, the monument would be reduced to approximately 229,000 acres from the 1.35 million acres that comprises the current monument, and split into two separate monuments. This reduces the footprint of Bears Ears by approximately 85 percent. For Grand Staircase-Escalante, the proclamation reduces the national monument from 1.9 million acres to approximately 997,000 acres, split across three monuments. These reductions will expose a substantial amount of cultural artifacts and landscapes to new risks from competing uses.

The new monument boundaries will also eliminate existing land protections for several important trails. Based on our initial review of the proclamations, the Burr Trail, Lockhart Basin, and Elk Ridge will no longer be within national monument lands. These trails alone comprise 150 miles of pristine bike riding in red rock country that has now lost monument status.

Protecting our public lands is not only good land management policy—it is good for state and local governments and businesses. Outdoor recreation and bicycling have helped fuel Utah’s economy. The outdoor industry generates $12.3 billion in consumer spending, 110,000 jobs, and $737 million in state and local tax revenue in Utah each year. Bike riding is an important contributor to this engine, supporting $773 million in spending, nearly 7,000 jobs, and $44 million in taxes for state and local governments. These proclamations undermine the public land policies that have balanced beautiful landscapes, cultural preservation, and stable economies in the state.

PeopleForBikes has been advocating to preserve our national monuments since President Trump signed his Executive Order in April ordering the Department of the Interior to review 27 monuments. Working with our partner organizations, we have generated grassroots support from bike riders, bike businesses, and utilized our Washington, DC presence to show the administration and Congress the value of these lands. Americans have responded in force. During the public comment period, 2.7 million people provided comments to the Department, with 98 percent of people supporting existing national monuments. Despite this significant step backwards, we will continue to work with Congress and the administration for better outcomes as it continues its review, and with leaders who are committed protecting public lands for outdoor recreation.

New Proclamations Dramatically Shrink Two National Monuments in Utah

Taking advantage of the annual summer recess in D.C., PeopleForBikes arranged five August in-district meetings between bike business leaders and members of Congress (and their staffers) to talk infrastructure funding, public lands policies and tariff relief. Members of the House and Senate were invited to tour bike company headquarters, meet with leadership teams, and in some cases, join low-key bike rides.

Congressman Peter DeFazio, chairman of the influential House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, connected with custom folding and cargo bike maker Bike Friday in Eugene, OR. Eugene Electric Bicycles, an independent retailer and service provider, joined the meeting, which included a scenic bike ride that doubled as a productive discussion about key issues.

In Los Angeles, field staff of Senator Dianne Feinstein visited the offices of Handlebar Bike Tours to learn how Handlebar shows off the best of L.A. by bike and why the business is a strong advocate for improved infrastructure that enhances safety. Jennifer Nutting, the Founder and Owner of Handlebar Bike Tours LA, is no stranger to civic activism and engagement. “As an elected Los Angeles Neighborhood Council member, I’ve worked to get bike lanes put in my community,” she said. “Alleviating traffic, supporting local businesses and quality of life is what politicians strive for, and bike lanes do all of that.”

One common discussion point of all these gatherings is the many important ways that federal policies directly affect bike businesses of all sizes and their home communities. Bicycling contributes an estimated $88 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports nearly 800,000 jobs (2018 Outdoor Industry Association research). The bike industry is an economic force locally, regionally, nationally, and globally—from brick-and-mortar retail, to mass market, to e-commerce plus tourism. Our industry’s success is closely tied to the federal investment in bike infrastructure, public lands access decisions, and the state of tariffs.

In Salt Lake City, Congressman Chris Stewart visited e-bike manufacturer and retailer Magnum Bikes to discuss the power of e-bikes, infrastructure needs and how new tariffs are hurting American bike businesses.

Thirty miles north of Philadelphia, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick visited local bicycle retailer Doylestown Bike Works, where he learned about their community engagement work and the ways that global trade disputes affect small businesses. “The meeting was an important reminder that we can learn from one another, and that conversations about important issues can be substantive and civil,” said Brian Boger, co-owner at DBW. Representative Fitzpatrick also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Back in Santa Cruz, California, Ibis Cycles hosted U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta and shared their storied history as a leading independently owned bike company. Ibis touted the strength of the local outdoor recreation economy, the company’s many community investments, and the value of their labor force. “We hope Representative Panetta can share our story with others in Congress and continue supporting the cycling industry and outdoor recreation,” said Roxy Lo, Ibis bicycle designer and part-owner. “Public access to lands and recreational opportunities are paramount to a healthy business and happy employees.”

Bike businesses can host members of Congress not just in August, but year-round during the many annual breaks in the D.C. Congressional calendar.  We encourage you to work with PeopleForBikes on this. It’s good for your business, great for government support for bicycling, and it brings all our positives to life. We will provide policy talking points and data. All you need to do is serve as the guide and host, and talk about what you know best: your business. Want to learn more? Email Noa Banayan or Jordan Trout.

Bike Businesses Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Congressional Leaders

The bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape (RNR) Act was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate in late July by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). It provides a plan for improving and enhancing recreation opportunities on public lands by creating a unified system of National Recreation Areas to promote and manage activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding. PeopleForBikes supports the RNR Act because it will help create seamless networks for bike recreation and tourism.

The current approach to managing public lands involves many different agencies, each with its own perspective on recreation. From the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service, there is no consistency. By developing new trans-boundary National Recreation Areas, this legislation would help protect appropriate recreational opportunities on public lands.

The RNR bill also streamlines the permitting process for federal and state land. Frequently, bicycle tours and tourists pass from one federal agency’s jurisdiction to another, or from state land to federal land. Currently, each jurisdiction requires its own permit and has its own process. Instead of this outdated system, the RNR Act will ensure that all passes or permits required for outfitters and guides will be available online. Additionally, federal land management agencies will be encouraged to work with states to allow visitors to buy a state and federal pass at one location and in one transaction. As part of the legislation, land management agencies (such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service) will adopt a consistent recreation permitting process—this will make it easier for people to ride bikes on public lands.

Addressing the maintenance backlog on federal lands is critical to preserving these great places for bikes long term. By developing Volunteer Enhancement Initiatives this legislation will promote greater volunteerism in the maintenance of public lands.

PeopleForBikes is actively monitoring this bill and on October 3 we submitted testimony during a bill hearing held by the House Natural Resources Committee. We will keep our members updated on the status of the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act.

Recreation Not Red-Tape Act and What It Means for bikes

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PeopleForBikes’ 2021 Mid-Year Legislative Recap

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A Dozen (Plus One) Bucket List Rides for 2019

New Proclamations Dramatically Shrink Two National Monuments in Utah

Bike Businesses Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Congressional Leaders

Recreation Not Red-Tape Act and What It Means for bikes