On May 21st, IMBA activated all our networks, from seasoned mountain bike advocates to our broad, every-biker audiences, in an 11th hour attempt to ask lawmakers to protect public lands and keep public land sales out of a sweeping budget reconciliation package. In a coordinated effort with our Outdoor Alliance partners, a last-minute amendment was met with powerful grassroots advocate and bipartisan lawmaker opposition.

Thank your lawmakers for protecting public lands

A controversial proposal in the federal spending bill initially aimed to sell off over 500,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada, sparking alarm among mountain bikers and outdoor recreation advocates. Among the most threatened areas were world-famous mountain biking destinations in southwest Utah, including the Hurricane Cliffs Trail System near Zion National Park, the Boy Scout Trail System next to Quail Creek Reservoir, and the Plateau Passage bikepacking route. Trails in this area  are internationally renowned for their scenery and riding quality, drawing riders from around the world and fueling local outdoor recreation and tourism economies. You can read more on the proposed amendment in last week’s news release.

Thanks in large part to grassroots advocacy and coordinated, bipartisan efforts by the newly formed Public Lands Caucus, the public land sales amendment was removed from the reconciliation package, which passed the House on May 22nd, 2025. Over 1200 mountain bike advocates sent letters to their congresspeople in just a few hours' time. Collectively, with all of our Outdoor Alliance partners, outdoor recreation advocates sent over 100,000 letters to their lawmakers in a landmark showing of grassroots opposition.

“Outdoor advocates were heard loud and clear: our public lands are not for sale. IMBA thanks the mountain bikers, the climbers, the hunters, the hikers and every outdoor user group for coming together on this vital issue. Public lands are essential for trails, outdoor recreation, thriving economies and healthy communities. We all must remain engaged to protect our public lands and uphold the public process that enables those protections.”   
– Todd Keller, Director of Government Affairs, International Mountain Bicycling Association  

A huge thanks to YOU for your advocacy efforts. Please take a few moments to celebrate and to send a thanks to your lawmakers for getting public land sales out of the reconciliation bill.