Media contact: Eleanor Blick
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Director of Communications 
(720) 900-4622

(BOULDER, Colo., June 23, 2025) – The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), in partnership with BOLT Coalition partners, announces the BOLT Coalition and the Long Live Long Trails survey. To gather information for the public database, the BOLT Coalition has launched a survey designed to collect information on potential and existing long distance bike trails which launched Wednesday, June 18th, and will remain open until Friday, August 1, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. 

Submit Your Long Distance Bike Trail Today

The Biking on Long‑Distance Trails (BOLT) Act, now law as part of the EXPLORE Act that passed in late 2024, is groundbreaking legislation that empowers the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service to develop and enhance at least 10 existing and 10 new long‑distance bike routes, each 80+ miles, to support natural surface bike trails nationwide.

Following the passage of the BOLT Act, IMBA, Bikepacking Roots, and PeopleForBikes joined forces as national cycling and trails organizations alongside regional and local partners to form the BOLT Coalition. Representing a wide range of cyclists and trail advocates, the coalition played a key role in advancing the legislation and is now invested in the law’s implementation. The coalition’s goals are to ensure bicyclist and trail steward voices are heard in the BOLT trail prioritization process and to support federal agencies as they prepare a required report to Congress.

The BOLT Coalition's initial task is to create a public database of potential long-distance trails by Summer 2025 that will include a detailed analysis and recommendations highlighting long-distance cycling trails that should be considered as candidates for BOLT recognition. This will include recommendations for both current trails eligible for BOLT recognition as well as potential opportunities for long-distance trails as defined by the law. Trails will be prioritized using the criteria outlined at www.imba.com/bolt-coalition. 

“Now is the time to invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure,” said IMBA Executive Director David Wiens. “The BOLT Act will be instrumental in creating those iconic backcountry experiences and making them more accessible to people across the country, and the partners of the BOLT Coalition are the right folks to engage the nation's cycling community.”

“Long-distance, backcountry trail connectivity is a cornerstone of the bikepacking experience," said Bikepacking Roots' Executive Director Noelle Battle. “At Bikepacking Roots, our advocacy focuses on protecting and expanding these routes as a means of connecting people to landscapes, communities and transformative outdoor experiences. We're proud to be part of the BOLT Coalition and excited to help celebrate iconic long-distance trails, and ensure their stewardship so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come.”

"The BOLT Act is a landmark step for bike infrastructure on public lands, creating new opportunities for access, adventure, and economic growth,” said Rachel Fussell, Senior Manager of Recreation Policy at PeopleForBikes. “PeopleForBikes is proud to be part of the BOLT Coalition, ensuring cyclists of all abilities can voice and help shape the future of long-distance trails and supporting this important effort to connect communities through world-class riding experiences.” 

Learn more about the process and prioritization criteria by visiting the BOLT Coalition’s webpage. Submit your information on your potential or existing long distance bike trail by August 1, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

About IMBA: 
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501c3 nonprofit that creates, enhances and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. IMBA is focused on creating more and better trails close to home in 250 communities by the end of 2025 to grow the quantity and quality of mountain bike trail communities, so everyone has access to close-to-home riding and recreation as well as iconic backcountry experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been partnering with communities worldwide on trail advocacy, education, stewardship and sustainable trail solutions.

About Bikepacking Roots: 
Bikepacking Roots is a national 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride. We also create and sustain intentional, enjoyable, and accessible bikepacking routes and route networks throughout North America for beginner to expert riders. The organization and its members value human-powered experiences and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership that makes a positive impact as we adventure by bike.

About People for Bikes: 
PeopleForBikes is a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individual supporters. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike; advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our work.