Two of the biggest names in adventure and off-road motorcycling have agreed to work together on trail access. The American Motorcyclist Association and Backcountry Discovery Routes have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to protect adventure riding and public trails, with the focus placed squarely on local access issues around the country.For riders who spend their weekends chasing dual-sport loops and long backcountry routes, this is worth paying attention to. The AMA has a long history of advocacy work in Congress, representing motorcyclists at the federal level. BDR, meanwhile, has built its reputation by stitching together off-pavement routes across states, often opening corridors where private land had previously locked riders out. Getting those two groups pulling in the same direction could mean more organized muscle behind the trails you actually ride.What the Agreement CoversThe two organizations plan to lean on each other's strengths across trail stewardship, advocacy, and membership. According to the release, the AMA will support campaigns that protect and promote BDR routes through its communication channels, and it will encourage AMA members to pitch in on volunteer efforts and route stewardship. That means more hands available for the trail work that keeps these routes open and legal.On the other side, BDR will support and promote AMA advocacy work, invite AMA participation in its route-release events and film tours, and push its own riders to join the AMA to strengthen the broader fight for motorcyclists' rights. In plain terms, each group will steer its members toward the other and try to build a bigger, more coordinated base of riders willing to show up and speak up.Why Local Access Still MattersLocal access is the ground game. A single trailhead closure, a revised travel management plan, or a stretch of private land that suddenly goes off limits can end a route that took years to establish. Both organizations have proven track records of chipping away at those problems, and a formal partnership gives them a clearer way to share resources when a fight pops up in a specific area.If you ride a BDR route or hold an AMA card, the practical takeaway is simple. Volunteer opportunities and stewardship days are likely to grow, and the two groups will be cross-promoting the work that keeps trails open. For anyone who cares about where they can legally ride a motorcycle in the backcountry, more coordinated advocacy is a step in the right direction. Watch both organizations for details on volunteer events and route releases tied to the new agreement.Sources:Two Big Motorcycle Organizations Join Forces to Protect Local Trail Access. Both Still Quiet ...
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