Senate Passes Luján Legislation to Bolster Outdoor Recreation

Bipartisan Bill Now Heads to President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) celebrated the passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which included his legislation, the Biking On Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act. Senator Luján introduced this bipartisan legislation alongside U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to bolster outdoor recreation and promote biking on federal lands across the United States.

“I’m proud to have led the charge on this bipartisan legislation, which has passed Congress and is on its way to the President’s desk. This bill will improve safety on bike trails nationwide and help strengthen the United States’ growing outdoor recreation economy,” said Senator Luján. “I love exploring New Mexico’s great outdoors on my mountain bike and I’m committed to ensuring these spaces are safer and more accessible for all Americans.”

“The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is thrilled the Senate has passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. This action shows Congress understands the physical, mental, and economic importance of outdoor recreation on our public lands. The mountain bike community is specifically excited about the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act that has been included in the bill’s text,” said the International Mountain Bicycling Association. “The BOLT Act will identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails and identify at least 10 areas where there is an opportunity to develop or complete such trails. The bill will also direct the Department of Interior to publish and distribute maps, install signage, and distribute promotional materials. A special thank you to Senators Luján and Cramer for their vision of a long distance trails network, and Senators Manchin and Barrasso for their leadership in moving the bill through the Senate. We now look forward to the President’s signature making the EXPLORE Act law!”

Capitalizing on New Mexico’s 21 million acres of rich landscapes is vital to the state’s economy. In New Mexico, the outdoor recreation economy accounts for 2.2% of the state’s GDP, providing over 35,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in wages. Nationally, the outdoor economy is rapidly growing. This is especially important for rural areas where wages are faster-growing in counties that have outdoor recreation than those that don’t. 

The BOLT Act will make bike trails more accessible and direct the Department of Interior (DOI) to: 

• Identify not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails;

• Identify not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete long-distance bike trials;

• Allow the DOI to publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue promotional materials; and

• Publish a report that lists the trails developed under this legislation.

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