Guided Bicycle Tours CUA

 

Overview

This CUA authorizes guided road-based bicycle tours with visits to facilities, services, walks on trails less than one-half mile from trailheads or roadways, and on boardwalks and developed areas.

General Provisions

1. Bicycle tours are permitted in the park only on improved public road segments, parking areas, and routes. Improved road segments are generally areas that have a paved road shoulder.
2. The following road segments are currently approved for commercial bicycle tours: (additional roadways may be added to the list as road improvements are made).
   • West Entrance to Madison Junction
   • Madison Junction to Old Faithful
   • Old Faithful to West Thumb Junction (continuing south to Grant Village)
   • West Thumb Junction to Fishing Bridge Junction
   • Fishing Bridge Junction to the East Entrance
   • Fishing Bridge Junction to Canyon Junction
   • Canyon Junction (including the North and South Rim Drives) to Norris Junction
   • Norris to Madison Junction
3. Bicycles are prohibited on all boardwalks and backcountry trails. The CUA holder must comply with the information provided at Bike in the Park.
4. Class one and three e-bikes are allowed when the rider is pedaling in Yellowstone National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-Bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. The motor may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider also pedaling.
5. Commercial bicycle tours are permitted on the bike trails listed at Bike in the Park.
6. Commercial bicycle tours may also be permitted on park roads in the spring and fall while roads are closed to motorized, public travel. Please visit Spring & Fall Bicycling for more information, current conditions, etc.
7. CUA holders are limited to no more than 30 clients per day, with a maximum of 15 clients per travel event. Participants must be divided into riding groups of 5 people or fewer, including guides, and riding groups must be dispersed with a minimum distance of ½ mile between groups, while riding on paved road segments. Guided tours conducted on park approved administrative roads and existing trails, not on paved road segments, can have a maximum group size of 15 clients, excluding guides.
8. Each tour event must have at least one guide. The guide for any trip within the park must have a basic knowledge of map reading and must have a road map for the area of their trip.
9. Cyclist must ride single file, on the right-hand side of the road and to the right of the fog line when possible. Riding bicycles abreast on a public park roadway is prohibited. Cyclists must pull completely off the roadway when stopping.
10. Riders must use pullouts to allow faster vehicles to pass. Impeding traffic or causing unnecessary delays in traffic is prohibited.
11. Bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules and regulations as automobiles.
12. The park does not allow support vehicles to immediately precede or immediately follow bicyclists. However, one vehicle will be allowed to pull off into designated parking areas and pullouts to provide water and relief to participants only during seasons when roads are open to vehicular traffic.
13. Camping is authorized in designated front-country campgrounds. Overnight backcountry use is not authorized under this CUA.
14. Food storage laws apply while camping and while hiking when bikes are left unattended. Trash must be carried out if trash receptacles are not available.
15. Park roads are narrow and winding with few shoulders. Bicycles must use flashing lights on both the front and rear of the bicycle when tours are conducted on roads accessible to vehicles.
16. All guides and clients are required to wear a bicycle helmet that meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found at: Bicycle Helmets Business Guidance. The park also strongly recommends wearing high visibility clothing.
17. The CUA holder is responsible for ensuring that all clients are safely equipped and properly clothed prior to the trip. Clients under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult while biking in the park.
18. Each guide must carry a minimum of one can of bear spray and be trained in its use. Guide's bear spray must be accessible such as on a waist belt or shoulder harness. Bear spray for clients is strongly recommended.

 

How to apply for this CUA activity

1. Complete CUA application packets should be submitted via email to [e-mail].
2. Complete application packets include the documents listed below (click on the blue links below to download each document):
   • NPS Form 10-550—CUA Application
   • Signed operating plan(s) for each activity
   • Application questions
   • Receipt for application fee payment made at Pay.gov
   • Commercial general liability insurance certificate (certificate example)
   • Auto liability insurance certificate
   • Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk (if clients are required to sign one; this includes participant agreements, liability waivers, indemnification agreements, etc.)
   • Guide card request form (can be submitted after CUA approval if guides are unknown at the time of submittal)
3. If your application is missing any components listed above, we will inform you via the email address or phone number listed on the application. Any incomplete applications will be placed on hold until all required documentation is received.
4. Once your application packet has been reviewed and approved, we will send the CUA, NPS Form 10-115, via the email address listed on the application.
5. The CUA holder will then sign and return the CUA form(s) to [e-mail]. The CUA is not final until the signed form(s) are received by our office.
6. Submit a guide card request for any guides/employees that will be entering the park under this CUA at least two weeks prior to their first trip in the park.
7. Complete and submit Annual Report Forms—Due by January 31^st following the operating year.

 

Resources

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Main CUA page Apply for a CUA FAQs CUA Annual Reports Guide Card Requests	CUA Law and Policy CUA Denial and Revocation Policy Special Use Permits Backcountry Permits
Plan Your Tour	Learn About the Park
Park roads Accessibility Bear Management Areas Fishing Regulations Boating Regulations	Superintendent's Compendium Vital Signs Reports Resources for Commercial Guides Resources and Issues Handbook Foundation Document