Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces new legislation related to mountain biking during an outdoor recreation event at the Capitol on Feb. 4, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)
Legislation affecting plans for 100 miles of down-hill biking trails in western Arkansas came closer to passage Wednesday after a House committee vote.
Senate Bill 203 defines “recreational tramways” for state parks and outlines liabilities and responsibilities of bike lift operators and mountain bikers who use the systems.
Several bike lifts, similar to ski lifts, are planned as part of the Trails at Mena, an 8,800-acre project that encompasses parts of the Ouachita National Forest and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The National Forest Service granted a preliminary special use permit in November to Arkansas State Parks to develop the recreational project.
Republican Rep. John Maddox of Mena, co-sponsor of the bill with Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, presented the bill to the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, which unanimously approved it. The bill now goes to the full House; the Senate passed it Feb. 13.
“The crux of the bill is that these are inherently dangerous activities… we’re just going to make it clear that if you are going to ride a mountain bike down a mountain, there’s a chance youre going to hurt yourself… and you are assuming the risk,” Maddox told committee members.
The bill also makes chair lifts subject to the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Ski Lift Code and provides for regular safety inspections by the Arkansas Occupational Safety and Health office, part of the Department of Labor and Licensing.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders touted the legislation during a Feb. 4 observance of Natural State Day when she announced that another bike lift park is planned for Bella Vista by Walmart heirs Tom and Steuart Walton and Runway Group, their company.
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