Our Advocacy
For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped people explore the country by bike. As cycling grows and riding environments become more complex, our advocacy protects the routes, access, and infrastructure that make bicycle travel possible.
The power to improve bike travel is
our collective voice.
Take Action
Discover the advocacy initiatives we’re actively supporting in collaboration with trusted partners. Each reflects where we’re focusing our energy and how you can help.
Protect roadless public lands
The USDA is taking final steps to rescind the Roadless Rule, threatening protections for 45 million acres of National Forest land, including areas traveled by the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and Golden Gravel Trail; rescinding the rule would remove nationwide restrictions on new roads and large-scale logging, putting quiet, undeveloped recreation areas at greater risk. Submit a comment and urge the USDA to keep these protections in place.
Contact Decision Makers Now
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
Protect trail funding
Congress is shaping the next federal transportation bill. Programs like Transportation Alternatives and the Recreational Trails Program fund the trail networks that make connected bike travel possible, and they need defending.
Write Your Elected Officials Now
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY
U.S. Bicycle Route System
More than 24,000 miles designated and growing. Adventure Cycling has coordinated the USBRS since 2003, connecting communities, supporting regional touring, and expanding access to long-distance bike travel.
Explore the U.S. Bicycle Route System
BUILD THE NATIONAL ROUTE NETWORK
Improve bike access on passenger rail
Train access makes many Adventure Cycling routes possible, but inconsistent policies and limited bike space create real barriers. We’re participating in the Amtrak Bike Task Force to help change that.
Complete the Rider Survey
AMTRAK BIKE TASK FORCE, LED BY LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
“We have been grateful for Adventure Cycling’s increased engagement on advocating for federal funding for trails, walking and biking. Their participation in advocacy actions ensures that their robust national membership is aware of and helping to advocate for this important source of funding.”
Our Approach
Our advocacy focuses on the real-world decisions that shape how people experience bike travel: infrastructure, public land access, transportation planning, road design, safety, and connectivity along long-distance routes.
Adventure Cycling has long led advocacy for long-distance bike travel, building national route systems, advancing access, and representing riders at the national level. As the landscape has grown more complex, we’ve deepened our partnerships with trusted organizations that share our values and bring complementary expertise.
By combining our route knowledge and rider experience with their policy and technical depth, we elevate the voices of riders and make sure advocacy efforts are grounded in real-world riding and built to create lasting, system-level change.
National route network
Stewarding the U.S. Bicycle Route System, 24,000+ miles and growing.
Safety along routes
Advocating for funding, design standards, and planning that reflect the realities of long-distance riding.
Public land access
Protecting corridors, camping access, and responsible stewardship of the landscapes our routes depend on.
Multimodal access
Improving how bikes fit into trains and transportation systems so more people can access more routes.
Our Partners
Protecting bike travel takes all of us. We work with organizations that share our values and bring complementary expertise across public lands, transportation, trails, and national cycling policy.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Trail funding & federal transportation policy
Outdoor Alliance
Public lands access & outdoor recreation policy
League of American Bicyclists
Amtrak Bike Task Force & national cycling policy
AASHTO
U.S. Bicycle Route
System
State DOTs
Route planning & infrastructure standards
Your organization here
Interested in partnering with us?
Stay engaged
Advocacy evolves as conditions change. Subscribe to stay current on new initiatives or learn more about how our advocacy is rooted in routes, partnerships, and rider experience.
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