Memorandum of understanding aligns goals to advance advocacy, education and access
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 9, 2026) — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand advocacy, responsible motorized recreation, route development, rider education and community engagement on behalf of the nation’s adventure and dual-sport motorcycling community.
The MOU highlights the strengths of both organizations. The AMA offers a national advocacy infrastructure, government relations expertise, a network of independent clubs and promoters, and broad individual membership. BDR brings route-development experience, an engaged community of adventure riders, and a platform built on route promotion, resource-rich guides and documentary films.
“The Backcountry Discovery Routes Organization brings over $60 million worth of economic impact to local communities annually by making over 20,000 miles of backcountry tracks available to the riding community,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.
The AMA will support campaigns protecting and promoting BDR routes through AMA communication channels, encouraging AMA members to participate in volunteer efforts and route stewardship. BDR will support and promote AMA advocacy work, invite AMA participation in its route-release events and film tours, and actively encourage its riders to join the AMA to support motorcyclists’ rights.
“The sections of our routes that riders love most are often the ones most at risk of closure. We’ve spent years earning a seat at the table with the agencies and communities that manage this land, but protecting that access for the long haul takes advocacy at every level of government, and that’s where the AMA’s reach makes the difference,” said Inna Thorn, Executive Director of Backcountry Discovery Routes. “Together, we’re not just protecting today’s routes, we’re making sure they’re still here for the next generation of riders.”
For AMA members and BDR riders alike, the MOU will translate into more coordinated advocacy on land-access issues, expanded safety and responsibility education, and a stronger, more connected community of adventure and dual-sport riders — backed by the full weight of the AMA’s national advocacy network.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, North America’s largest-circulation motorcycle magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
About Backcountry Discovery Routes
Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel. The organization’s work includes promoting rider education and safety campaigns, driving economic benefit to rural communities, and encouraging responsible motorcycle travel in the backcountry. BDR provides the riding community with turnkey trip-planning resources, including GPS tracks, digital maps, route information, condition updates, YouTube videos, Q&As, and other resources—all available 24/7 at RideBDR.com.