§8421 Biking on Long-distance Trails

Summary

Within 18 months after January 4, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, working together, must pick at least 10 long-distance bike trails that use trails and roads that existed on January 4, 2025, and at least 10 places where new long-distance trails could be built. They must set up a way for the public to comment and try to pick and plan trails fairly across the country. They may make maps, put up signs, and share promotional materials, and they can work with non-Federal partners to help care for and finish trails. A report listing the chosen trails and summarizing public comments must be published within 2 years after January 4, 2025. Before naming a trail, the Secretaries must try to avoid conflicts with how the trail or road was used on January 4, 2025, with areas used for biking, hiking, horseback riding, or pack animals, with trails under the National Trails System, and with Wilderness areas, and must follow existing land-use plans. They may not use eminent domain. A "long-distance bike trail" here means a continuous route at least 80 miles long that is mostly dirt or natural surface, may include paved connections, does not include federal lands where biking is not allowed, and, when possible, uses trails and roads on federal lands as of January 4, 2025.