AMA, Backcountry Discovery Routes partner on adventure motorcycling advocacy
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening advocacy, education and access for adventure and dual-sport motorcyclists.
The agreement brings together the AMA’s national advocacy and government relations infrastructure with BDR’s experience developing and promoting backcountry motorcycle routes.
Under the MOU, the AMA will support efforts to protect and promote BDR routes through its communications channels and encourage AMA members to participate in volunteer and route-stewardship efforts. BDR will promote AMA advocacy initiatives, invite AMA representatives to route-release events and film tours, and encourage its riders to join the AMA.
“The Backcountry Discovery Routes organization brings over $60 million worth of economic impact to local communities annually by making over 20,000 miles of backcountry tracks available to the riding community,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.
The partnership also addresses land-access issues, which are a significant concern for adventure and dual-sport riders as routes cross public and private lands managed by various agencies and communities.
“The sections of our routes that riders love most are often the ones most at risk of closure,” says Inna Thorn, executive director of Backcountry Discovery Routes. “We’ve spent years earning a seat at the table with the agencies and communities that manage this land, but protecting that access for the long haul takes advocacy at every level of government, and that’s where the AMA’s reach makes the difference.”
BDR has developed more than 20,000 miles of backcountry routes for adventure motorcyclists. The organization’s route guides and documentary films have helped promote multi-day adventure riding and the communities along its routes.
The organizations said the agreement will also support expanded safety and responsible-riding education and create additional opportunities for engagement between adventure and dual-sport riders.
