The bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape Act (RNR) is the most important piece of positive policy we'll see this Congress for protecting mountain biking and outdoor recreation on public land. The most important section, which is facing a major attack, directs land managers to inventory for places on our public lands that could be protected as new National Recreation Areas.

Can you take two minutes to send a message to your representative? We know that if committee members hear from enough of their constituents, they will act quickly to defend this bill for mountain biking and outdoor recreation.

RNR helps improve permitting for outfitters and guides, adds a recreation mission to land management agencies currently lacking that focus, directs land managers to be evaluated in part on how they meet recreation objectives, and helps facilitate stewardship by creating new volunteer opportunities and improving cross-jurisdictional trail maintenance. The most important section directs land managers to inventory for places on our public lands that could be protected as new National Recreation Areas. A proposed amendment to strike this section of the bill could cripple the bill's impact. Legislators need to hear from you to protect the places we ride.

Photo credit: Leslie Kehmeier