The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) launched America’s Outdoor Era Commitment to challenge the outdoor recreation industry to do more than just talk about the health benefits of time outside. The commitment asks organizations to lead by example, implementing at least three practical actions over the next year that directly connect outdoor recreation to physical health, mental well-being, youth development, and community resilience.

PeopleForBikes is proud to sign on to the commitment and connect the proven health narrative to our work getting more people on bikes more often and making biking better for everyone.

PeopleForBikes City Ratings

Our annual City Ratings program, powered by the Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA), scores cities on the quality and connectivity of their low-stress bike networks. Access to safe, connected places to ride is a direct public health intervention. Communities with better bike networks see higher rates of active transportation, reduced sedentary behavior, and stronger community connection. City Ratings and BNA data on low-stress network access is a powerful tool for building the evidence base that links infrastructure investment to positive public health outcomes.

Backyard Advocacy Toolkit

PeopleForBikes' Backyard Advocacy Toolkit empowers bike industry brands and retailers to drive change in their own communities. It's a roadmap for local action, from hosting demo rides for policymakers to partnering with schools and workforce programs. Under the America's Outdoor Era Commitment, this toolkit becomes a health advocacy resource as much as a business one. Industry partners who engage locally aren't just building better places to ride, they're building healthier communities.

Recreational Access + Trail Work

PeopleForBikes' federal public lands strategy, from harmonizing access for Class 1 e-bikes to support and implementation of the BOLT Act, is fundamentally about expanding access to the outdoor experiences that improve health and well-being. More trails, more access, and more connected bike networks mean more Americans getting outside, moving their bodies, and reaping the documented benefits of time in nature.

As a signatory to America's Outdoor Era Commitment, PeopleForBikes commits to:

• Integrate health and wellness messaging into our City Ratings and recreational access communications, making the connection between biking and physical and mental health explicit and consistent.
• Support community access to riding opportunities through our Backyard Advocacy Toolkit with an emphasis on underserved communities where closing network gaps can make the greatest impact.
• Build partnerships that connect bike infrastructure investment with public health outcomes using BNA data to support evidence-building and advance the case for outdoor recreation as a preventive health tool.
• Lead by example, encouraging PeopleForBikes staff, partners, and industry Coalition members to prioritize time outside and model the values we advocate for.

The outdoor recreation economy generates $1.3 trillion in economic output and supports 5.2 million American jobs, and the health case for getting outside has never been stronger or more politically relevant. As federal and state leaders look for cost-effective, community-driven approaches to public health, the outdoor recreation industry has a powerful story to tell.

Bikes and safe, connected places to ride are public health assets. PeopleForBikes is excited to continue our work in promoting riding as a health tool for all.