A new report from the Trust for Public Land (TPL), America Needs More Public Lands, Not Less, uncovers a troubling trend: Americans are flocking to the outdoors in record numbers, but we need more protected spaces to support accessible recreation opportunities. For everyone who loves to recreate by bike on public lands — whether it’s mountain, gravel, or commuting to the trailhead — this has big implications.

The report highlights that more people than ever are getting outdoors to bike, hike, fish, paddle, and more. In 2024, the National Park Service saw a record-breaking number of visits — nearly 332 million — which is more than the top 10 built tourist attractions combined. Nationwide, 8.8 million people participated in mountain biking last year. Biking of all kinds is booming, trail use is spiking, and interest in outdoor recreation continues to climb. But as our nation’s love for the great outdoors grows, the amount of protected public land and accessible recreation areas isn’t keeping up with this growing demand.

For those who enjoy riding on public lands, this means more wear and tear on existing trails, more competition for recreational access, and, in some cases, threats to the very lands where we ride and explore. The idea of transferring federal lands to states or private interests continues in policy debates, and that could put access to on- and off-road bicycling at risk, especially in areas where recreation or conservation is not prioritized.

Thankfully, nationwide polls consistently show overwhelming support for protecting and expanding public lands. To demonstrate this point, TPL commissioned a national survey of 4,000 U.S. residents as part of the broader study. 

“The survey results showed striking levels of support for conservation and public lands across the country,” the report states. “Three quarters of respondents oppose the closure of public lands, while nearly two thirds object to layoffs of staff charged with protecting public lands. Respondents identified ‘lack of funding/maintenance’ and ‘overdevelopment’ as among the biggest threats facing public lands.” 

Public lands are also the economic backbone of many towns and cities across the nation, supporting a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy in the U.S. and fueling everything from local bike shops and tour guides to cafés and campgrounds. Towns near trail systems thrive on bike tourism, and investments in trails and open space are also investments in jobs, small businesses, and vibrant local economies. 

Finally, the report outlines how everyday Americans can help protect and expand our public lands:

1. Make your voice heard by contacting your local and federal representatives and sharing why public lands and places to ride matter to you and your community.

2. Support local ballot measures that provide funding to protect public lands and expand trail systems. Check out our VoteForBikes page to learn about measures like this on your ballot.

3. Get involved with your local trail group for a trail work day.

4. Ride responsibly — because stewardship of our public lands starts with each of us.

For more information, you can read the full TPL report here.