Guide to Promoting Bicycling on Federal Lands
Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Federal lands, including units of the National Park Service, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and Bureau of Land Management lands are at a critical juncture. Increasing numbers of automobiles in some areas have led to congestion, poor air quality, damage to natural resources, and degraded visitor experience. At the same time, growth in the number of bicyclists on some of the most scenic roadways has led to motorist- bicyclist conflicts and concern for everyone's safety. Increased fuel costs and climate change have spawned efforts to reduce fuel consumption and minimize the "carbon footprint" of Federal land agencies. Sixty-one percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese and childhood obesity rates are soaring. Bicycling networks are one part of the solution to these issues.
This report provides guidance to Federal land managers on how to promote bicycling. Bicycling facilities are important transportation and recreation links to connect gateway communities, visitor centers, campgrounds, trailheads, and other attractions on Federal lands. This report presents benefits of bicycling, successful bicycling programs, policies that support bicycling, issues and challenges faced by land managers, and useful resources available to help meet these challenges. Bicycle transportation networks have significant positive impacts for the environment, health and visitor experience on Federal lands. Federal land managers have the opportunity to serve as positive national role models by mainstreaming bicycling to create sustainable transportation networks.
