January 2006

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has publicly clarified that “Equestrians and other non-motorized recreational use may be allowed on shared use paths and trails that use federal-aid transportation funds.” The notice, posted on the FHWA website, is a positive step forward in acknowledging equestrian activity on public land.

Under current federal law, equestrians are not specifically listed as potential users of shared-use transportation paths. Many riders believe that some land managers use this to deny equestrians access to these paths, even though that is not the intent of the federal law.

The AHC will continue to work with the FHWA and other federal agencies to promote long-term regulatory changes that will support equestrian use on federal land.
A copy of the FHWA notice can be found on the FHWA website at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/allow_uses.htm.