“It’s not closed, just walk!”
We hear this all the time from anti-access advocates when our trails get closed. When we point out the discriminatory nature of their stance, usually the next claim goes something along the lines of “but the BLM allows for wheelchair use.” Technically, that is correct, but if you read the BLM regulation it states that a wheelchair used on trails must be “suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area.” First, not all disabled Americans require or want a wheelchair. Second, how many indoor wheelchairs have you seen on a 4×4 trail, let alone a hiking trail? Let’s be honest, both of these arguments are vapid and ignorant— to put it mildly.
Public lands are held in trust for all Americans. Access isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. When trails close, gates go up, or routes are locked down, not everyone can simply “just walk” to the places they love. For those with mobility limitations, motorized access isn’t a convenience, it’s a necessity. This is the core principle behind Operation:Accessible — BlueRibbon Coalition’s ongoing campaign to ensure that public lands remain open, inclusive, and genuinely accessible to all recreationists regardless of ability or age.
Throughout the past year, Operation:Accessible grew into a sustained, multi-front effort in advocacy, legislative engagement, grassroots mobilization, and public education. And along the way we met some pretty incredible off-roaders who’ve allowed us to share their story… with more to come. Here’s how BRC moved the needle on accessibility in 2025 and why it matters.
Advancing the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
The most significant milestone of the year was the reintroduction of the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act to Congress in October 2025 — a bill BRC helped shape and champion.
This legislation would require federal land managers — including the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service — to consider the impacts of route closures on Americans with disabilities, and to maintain a baseline of accessible travel opportunities across public lands. It defines “disability-accessible land” using clear criteria tied to authorized routes, ensures local stakeholders have a voice before closures occur, and seeks to lock in equitable access protections at the highest level of federal law.
BlueRibbon Coalition worked directly with congressional offices to draft bill language, elevate community voices, and mobilize public support through action alerts and outreach. Our advocacy helped frame accessibility through existing motorized recreation opportunities as an essential civil-rights-informed component of public-land policy that insists access should never be limited by ability.
Inclusive Recreation: E-Bikes and Beyond
Accessibility isn’t only about legislation. This year, BRC continued to advocate for updated trail policies that reflect modern recreation, such as Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes. These bikes provide a low-impact, accessible way for older riders, families with children and those with physical limitations to share trails with traditional bikes. Despite outdated policies still restricting e-bike access in many areas, BRC was one of the only organizations fighting for expanded e-bike access nationwide. And we’ve accomplished some major wins, which we covered in a previous 12 Days of Legal Updates post here.
Rallying Grassroots Support and Raising Awareness
Operation:Accessible reached beyond the halls of Congress into the heart of the outdoor community. We encouraged thousands of supporters to contact legislators in support of the Outdoor ADA through action alerts, making sure elected officials heard a broad chorus of voices insisting that public lands should be for all.
We also spotlighted personal stories from veterans, lifelong outdoor lovers, and people for whom the only way to enjoy public lands is by vehicle. “Just walk” isn’t an option for everyone. Find a couple of those stories below. You can help show your support while raising awareness by purchasing one of our “Just Walk” t-shirts here (all proceeds are donated back to BlueRibbon Coalition).
Why It Matters
For too long, decisions about closures or route decommissioning have been made without fully accounting for how they disadvantage people with physical limitations. Operation:Accessible reframes that narrative: recreation opportunities should not depend on one’s ability to hike miles on foot.
This year’s legislative progress, grassroots action, and community storytelling helped ensure that public lands are truly public — accessible to an 87-year-old outdoorsman who can’t windsurf anymore, a veteran with mobility challenges, or an amputee still in the prime of her life that won’t be slowed down.
Public lands belong to all of us. Protecting that reality for every body, every ability, and every generation is why we fight.
SUPPORT OUR LEGAL CENTER
Our legal work is possible because of individual members and supporters like you. With your support, we were able to hire our first full-time attorney last year—leading to the most impactful period of legal success in our organization’s history. Your backing has empowered us to win critical battles for public access, but there’s more to challenge and anti-access groups continue to file lawsuits at an unprecedented rate. Continued support ensures we have the legal strength to defend our rights and keep our public lands open.
