08/22/2026
BIG NEWS FOR MOTORIZED ACCESS
The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to revise the 2005 Travel Management Rule—and a 30-day public comment period is about to begin.
Among the concepts USDA is considering is a national presumption of access for existing roads, trails and other access routes, along with changes to the decades-old "minimization" framework and regular review of closed or highly restricted routes.
If that sounds familiar to TPA supporters, it should.
TPA has been actively advocating for fundamental Travel Management reform—including our work advancing the Public Lands Access Restoration Act (PLARA), testimony before Congress supporting an "open unless closed" approach, and our advocacy surrounding the recent rescission of the Executive Orders underlying the old minimization framework.
Now, many of those same fundamental questions are officially on the table as the Forest Service considers rewriting the Travel Management Rule.
There is a lot to analyze, and the details matter, but we're excited about the opportunity to help shape changes that could have a very positive impact on responsible off-highway motorcycle recreation.
This is what your support of TPA makes possible. The Trail Crew puts boots on the ground maintaining trails, while our advocacy work fights for the policies that keep those trails—and the networks they connect to—accessible.
TPA will be engaged throughout this process and will provide more information and opportunities for the motorcycle community to participate.
Public comments close September 23, 2026. Stay tuned. Read official announcement via the link in the comments.