Proposal to allow bicycles on Conservation service roads

Cyclists could have access to some of the Missouri Department of Conservation service roads in 2022. During a meeting on Friday, the Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation on a proposed change that would allow the expanded use of bicycles on many department-area service roads. Right now bicycle use on the 1000 conservation areas is restricted to roads that are open to public vehicle traffic and some multi-use trails.

Service roads are roads that are used by MDC staff for resource management, and some are currently used as walking paths by the public, but they are not maintained at the level of public multi-use bicycle trails and public roads. The change in the regulation is open for public comment March 2nd through March 31st on the website mdc.mo.gov, under proposed regulation changes, and by mail to P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City Missouri. MDC will then review all comments received and present a final proposal for a final vote by the Commission during its May 21st public meeting. If approved, the regulation change will become effective on March 1, 2022. The proposal does not include electric or motorized bicycles.