EXPLORE Act Makes Progress plus a $3M Bike Park is Coming to Iowa

The EXPLORE Act passes House Natural Resources Committee plus a $3M bike park gets closer to opening day.
File photo: Jeff Barber

Trail Flow is a roundup of all the mountain bike trail related news of the week including new trail builds, advocacy, and planning. Do you have trail news? Email [email protected] for possible inclusion.

House advances EXPLORE, BOLT Act

Lawmakers in the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The Act is an outdoor recreation package that includes the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT), and other measures to protect climbing in Wilderness, modernize recreational permitting for guides, and funding for parks in “neighborhoods that need it most,” according to a press release. Outdoor Alliance is asking those in support to keep the bill moving and send a note to lawmakers.

Pump track for Springside Park in limbo

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Plans for a pump track in Pittsfield are still on hold more than two years after positive support from the city’s Parks Commission. A revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city, NEMBA, Shire Shredders, and Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series Inc. still needs approval, according to The Berkshire Eagle. The proposed agreement requires the groups to raise funds for the project plus additional funds for maintenance and deconstruction in case the park is no longer up and running after ten years.

$3M bike park targets 2024 opening

Sioux City, Iowa

Singletracks first reported on plans to open a $3M bike park in Sioux City last year and according to the latest update, trail construction is 91% complete and construction will resume in April. Rock Solid is leading the build which includes 10.5 miles of trails and an asphalt pump track among other amenities.