Senate Transportation Bill Includes Recreational Trails Program

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

The transportation bill announced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee includes a reauthorization of the Recreational Trails Program, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

The Recreational Trails Program is an $85 million initiative that funds motorized recreational trails. The program is funded by the excise tax that off-highway-vehicle users pay when purchasing fuel for their vehicles.

The RTP was also included in the administration’s transportation proposal, the GROW America Act.

“We are very happy to see the RTP included in the Senate bill,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “But we recognize that this represents just one step in the approval process. And, it is only one of the many proposals we would like to see included in the final bill.”

In addition to reauthorizing the RTP, the AMA seeks an end to federal funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints; measures that ensure anti-distracted driving provisions are implemented; language that includes motorcyclists in vehicle-to-vehicle communication studies; and formal recognition of the benefits of motorcycling.

“We hope that the Senate Commerce Committee and the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as the House of Representatives, also recognize the importance of all of these measures to the future of motorcycling,” Allard said. “We look forward to working with the committees to ensure the motorcycling community’s priorities are met.”

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

More by Troy Siahaan

Comments
Join the conversation
Next