WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are seeking public nominations for long-distance biking routes as they begin implementing a federal law that could establish at least 10 new multi-state cycling corridors and identify additional areas for future trail development on public lands.
The effort stems from the Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act, part of the EXPLORE Act, which directs the agencies to identify at least 10 existing long-distance biking trails and at least 10 areas where new routes could be developed or completed.
The initiative is intended to expand outdoor recreation opportunities while boosting tourism and economic activity in rural communities that surround federal lands.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the administration plans to use existing infrastructure and partnerships to establish long-distance biking corridors on public lands.
Public nominations will be accepted through Aug. 3, 2026, through an online mapping tool that allows users to draw proposed routes and submit information about existing or potential trails.
Under the law, eligible routes must generally be at least 80 miles long, be publicly accessible and primarily traverse federally managed lands, including property overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, National Park Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation.
The departments said proposed routes should primarily follow existing dirt or natural-surface roads and trails, remain open to bicycle use and avoid conflicts with other recreational uses, including hiking and horseback riding.
Federal officials also said tribal consultation will occur before any trails are formally established, and evaluations will consider cultural resources, sacred areas and other public land management concerns.
The agencies said they will seek to identify and develop trails in a geographically balanced manner and will give preference to proposals that have local partners or volunteer organizations available to assist with maintenance and development.
The nomination tool is available at:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/78dc4e636e7d400487f09da2b901777f
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.