Riding ban may be lifted on 43 million acres
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined by other lawmakers, has introduced a bill to free up almost 43 million acres of public land that now may be off-limits to off-highway riding, the American Motorcyclist Association reported.
Powerful lawmakers supporting the measure include Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
“Millions of acres of land across the United States are being held under lock and key unnecessarily,” McCarthy told the AMA. “My bill acts on recommendations made by the government agencies managing these lands so they are opened up for increased public use. This is just common sense.
“By opening these lands up to residents of our local communities and across the country for their use and enjoyment, we can help create jobs, boost local economies and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.”