On Dec. 1, the U.S. Senate will hold a hearing to consider a slate of bills that could advance public lands and recreation access, permitting and development, with big opportunities for bikes.

Every year in Washington, D.C., Republicans and Democrats find ways to come together to advance access to recreation and maintain our federal public lands. This week, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. Senate (SENR) will hold a hearing on a wide-ranging menu of bipartisan bills that could, if advanced, streamline the outdoor recreation permitting process, develop long-distance bike trails, promote jobs, enhance equity and environmental justice and more. Together, these bills would go a long way to making the great outdoors safe, sustainable and accessible for all. 

PeopleForBikes recently sent a letter in support of the legislation under consideration to the committee.

Specifically, we’re excited about: 

• Outdoors for All Act (S. 3266), to fund the construction of urban parks in low-income communities across the United States. 
• Parks, Jobs and Equity Act (S. 2258), to provide $500 million for local park programming, maintenance and jobs. 
• Recreation Not Red Tape Act (S. 1874), to make it easier for Americans to enjoy federal public lands by prioritizing recreation permits for guides and outfitters and encouraging access to low-income communities, veterans, kids and more. 
• Outdoor Recreation Act (S. 3266), to foster economic development in recreation communities and improve recreation access on federal public lands.
• Biking Over Long Distance Trails Act (S. 3264), to support the development of long-distance bike trails and promote bike riding on federal lands. 
• Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (S. 1229), to streamline the recreation permitting process for guides and outfitters. 

These bills will advance biking in urban and rural communities nationwide, get kids outside to recreate and support job growth in the outdoor sector. They’ll help build bike parks, lanes, trails and more to ensure that all Americans have access to green spaces and the outdoors close to home. PeopleForBikes stands proudly in support of these bills and will work closely with the SENR to ensure their swift passage early in 2022.