republic-os/legal/us/code/title-16/chapter-103/section-8421.md

type, title, description, jurisdiction, corpus, kind, title_number, title_name, chapter_number, chapter_name, section, citation, status, release_point, release_date, source, source_url, source_identifier, source_file, source_hash, raw_snapshot_hash, text_hash, retrieved_at, confidence, tags

type	title	description	jurisdiction	corpus	kind	title_number	title_name	chapter_number	chapter_name	section	citation	status	release_point	release_date	source	source_url	source_identifier	source_file	source_hash	raw_snapshot_hash	text_hash	retrieved_at	confidence	tags
LegalText	16 U.S.C. § 8421	Biking on long-distance trails	us	united_states_code	code_section	16	CONSERVATION	103	EXPANDING PUBLIC LANDS OUTDOOR RECREATION EXPERIENCES	8421	16 U.S.C. § 8421	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc16@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t16/s8421	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-16/usc16.xml	dfa318d2250071c62c706dbf368594431af1e27524f1d2073e73bb757346b477	7be8950da5a93cac7c98e4576ce00340f2aba5e8e46d29915382c203c421d503	688eff83440293cbedf5a5fd823ffae173fb47b1fc3f86f26e45f9cc34381e89	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

16 U.S.C. § 8421 - Biking on long-distance trails

Text

(a) Identification of long-distance trails Not later than 18 months after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries shall identify—

(1) not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use of trails and roads in existence on January 4, 2025; and

(2) not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance bike trail.

(b) Public comment The Secretaries shall—

(1) develop a process to allow members of the public to comment regarding the identification of trails and areas under subsection (a); and

(2) consider the identification, development, and completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner.

(c) Maps, signage, and promotional materials For any long-distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may—

(1) publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue promotional materials; and

(2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, development, or completion of trails.

(d) Report Not later than 2 years after January 4, 2025, the Secretaries, in partnership with interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a report that lists the trails identified under subsection (a), including a summary of public comments received in accordance with the process developed under subsection (b).

(e) Conflict avoidance with other uses Before identifying a long-distance bike trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall ensure the long-distance bike trail—

(1) minimizes conflict with—

(A) the uses, before January 4, 2025, of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike trail;

(B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on January 4, 2025;

(C) the purposes for which any trail was or is established under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.); and

(D) any area managed under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and

(2) complies with land use and management plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters that are part of that long-distance bike trail.

(f) Eminent domain or condemnation In carrying out this section, the Secretaries may not use eminent domain or condemnation.

(g) Definitions In this section:

(1) Long-distance bike trail The term “long-distance bike trail” means a continuous route, consisting of 1 or more trails or rights-of-way, that—

(A) is not less than 80 miles in length;

(B) primarily makes use of dirt or natural surface trails;

(C) may require connections along paved or other improved roads;

(D) does not include Federal recreational lands where mountain biking or related activities are not consistent with management requirements for those Federal recreational lands; and

(E) to the maximum extent practicable, makes use of trails and roads that were on Federal recreational lands on or before January 4, 2025.

(2) Secretaries The term “Secretaries” means the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting jointly.

(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 121, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2842.)

Notes

Editorial Notes

References in TextThe National Trails System Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C), is Pub. L. 90–543, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919, which is classified generally to chapter 27 (§ 1241 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1241 of this title and Tables. The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(D), is Pub. L. 88–577, Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1131 of this title and Tables.