More about MO Dept of Conservation's recent move to massively expand bicycle and ebike access on service roads in Conservation Areas | Mid-Missouri News | komu.com

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Bicycles and electric bicycles are now allowed on many state conservation-area service roads and multi-use trails.

Approximately 300 Missouri Department of Conservation areas will see the regulation change, which will provide access to more than 1,500 additional miles of road for cyclists. . . .

"One of the strategies to achieve one of our goals is to allow more recreational opportunities on our lands where it's appropriate," Campbell said. . . .

"The other things that's significant is this is going to allow maybe new people access to our areas, people who are enthusiastic about cycling will now have news miles of pathways to travel on their bikes," Campbell said.

Link: 

More about MO Dept of Conservation's recent move to massively expand bicycle and ebike access on service roads in Conservation Areas | Mid-Missouri News | komu.com

MoBikeFed comment: Though this policy change does allow bicycling on many Conservation Area service roads that were previously closed, note that many roads and areas are still restricted. Cyclists need to check Conservation Area regulations before riding.

For example service roads used by staff at fish hatcheries and other heavily used MDC areas or where bicycle use could cause damage to sensitive habitats, such as designated natural areas, still will not allow bicycling. Some MDC areas will disallow bicycling during certain hunting seasons.

You can find "designated natural areas" shown on the online map when you search for Conservation Areas online here:

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places

For example, in this Conservation Area the "Natural Area," where bicycling on service roads is prohibited, is shown using a red-brown color:

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/amidon-memorial-conservation-area

This Conservation Area notes that service roads in the area are closed to bicycling year around (red text at the top of the page):

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/burr-oak-woods-conservation-area

This article details MDC's new bicycle policy and the associated regulations:

https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-expands-bicycle-use-many-conservation-areas