America’s public lands are the backbone of our outdoor recreation ecosystem. From neighborhood trail networks to iconic backcountry routes, these places support healthy communities, thriving local economies, and the outdoor experiences that bring people together. Now, Congress has a critical opportunity to strengthen this foundation through the America the Beautiful Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

The bill would reauthorize and expand one of the most important funding tools for parks, public lands, and outdoor recreation: the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF).

At PeopleForBikes, we strongly support the America the Beautiful Act because it builds on the proven success of the Great American Outdoors Act, which delivered reliable investments in the places riders love most. If passed, this new bill would reauthorize the LRF through 2033 and increase annual funding to address deferred maintenance across national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands.

The legislation also improves transparency and efficiency by requiring multi-year project planning and clearer reporting. These updates will help land managers plan smarter, move projects forward faster, and ensure funding is directed to the highest-priority needs on the ground.

Why This Matters for Trails and Riders

For outdoor recreation, including multi-use and mountain biking trails, this funding is essential. Trails, bridges, trailheads, campgrounds, and visitor infrastructure are under increasing strain as participation in outdoor recreation continues to grow. Deferred maintenance can limit access, create safety concerns, and stall opportunities for communities that depend on recreation-driven economies.

“The America the Beautiful Act represents a historic opportunity to secure long-term, dependable investments in the places our community and industry relies on — from world-class bike trails to the public lands that define our outdoor culture,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “The LRF ensures that trails and outdoor spaces aren’t just protected, but maintained and improved so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Bicycling plays a vital role in this system. Riders depend on well-maintained trails and connected networks for recreation, transportation, tourism, and community connection. When trails fall into disrepair, the impacts ripple outward, affecting safety, limiting access, and reducing the economic benefits that flow to local businesses and communities.

Public Lands Are Economic Infrastructure

New national data from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable highlights just how critical public lands and recreation infrastructure are to the U.S. economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation generates $1.2 trillion in economic output, supports 5 million American jobs, and accounts for 2.3% of U.S. GDP — ahead of industries like farming, mining, and utilities.

A significant share of this economic activity depends on access to federal public lands and waters. Recreation on these lands contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy every day, and roughly one in five outdoor recreation jobs relies directly on public land access. Trails, parks, and recreation infrastructure are not just amenities; they are economic drivers for rural communities, gateway towns, and regions across the country.

Since its creation, LRF investments have helped land managers tackle long-standing maintenance backlogs, improve visitor access, and deliver projects that might otherwise remain unfunded. For trail users, that means safer bridges, restored trail corridors, improved trailheads, and more resilient infrastructure that can keep pace with growing demand.

Legacy Restoration funding isn’t just about fixing what’s broken,” said Rachel Fussell, senior manager of recreation policy at PeopleForBikes. “It’s about supporting sustainable trail systems, protecting access for riders, and ensuring public lands can keep up with the demand for outdoor recreation. This bill recognizes that trails are essential infrastructure for healthy communities and local economies.”

Why Reauthorization Matters Now

Without congressional action, the Legacy Restoration Fund will expire—leaving land managers without a reliable source of funding just as outdoor recreation participation continues to rise. The America the Beautiful Act ensures that investments in trails and public lands keep pace with reality, providing certainty for agencies, partners, and communities working to maintain and improve outdoor recreation infrastructure.

For PeopleForBikes, this legislation represents a meaningful investment in trail access, rider experiences, and the long-term sustainability of outdoor recreation nationwide. It aligns strong economic data with smart public policy and demonstrates bipartisan commitment to stewarding the places that power America’s outdoor economy.