MOAB, Utah (BRAIN) — Despite the possibility of a government shutdown beginning Wednesday, at least one longtime event held on federal lands will go on as planned.
The 15th Outerbike Moab will take place Friday through Sunday at the Bar M trailhead outside Moab after Utah committed funding to keep its National Parks and Bureau of Land Management public spaces open.
"So Outerbike is a go, no matter what," said Ashley Korenblat, CEO of Western Spirit Cycling, which organizes the event.
Accessibility to other BLM and National Park Service lands in the event of a shutdown are less clear. When contacted by BRAIN, the NPS forwarded a "contingency plan" document for each agency but added, "They are currently being reviewed and updated. Updated plans will be put online as soon as they're finalized."
The BLM told BRAIN they don't have any updates so far.
Department of Interior plans for a shutdown were last updated in 2023. They call for all national parks to be closed to the public during a shutdown. In a story published Friday, BRAIN's sister publication, Outside, said dozens of former national park superintendents and the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks are asking Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to close parks and public lands if there is a government shutdown. They say a full shutdown reduces vandalism and prevents visitor injuries. During a partial shutdown, search and rescue response might be delayed and visitors might do unsafe things without adequate ranger presence.
But many business, including bike shops that serve national park visitors, would prefer a partial closure. In a 2013 federal shutdown, rangers at Maine's Acadia National Park allowed visitors to enter the park by foot or bicycle, while powered vehicles were kept out.
"The local cyclists are loving it, it's a nicer park being car-free, no doubt about it, " Joe Minutolo, owner of Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, told BRAIN at the time.
What about product recalls?
A government shutdown could delay product recalls, but it doesn't affect manufacturer's legal obligations under federal law, PeopleForBikes told BRAIN in an email.
"Manufacturers who become aware of a product hazard are still obligated to promptly notify the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and can do so through its website. There is a business portal provided for this specific purpose. Failure to make a timely report may be considered to be a violation of CPSC regulations."
The CPSC did not return a BRAIN request to comment.
During a partial government shutdown in 2018, recalls by Specialized and SRAM were delayed in being announced by CPSC. According to a CPSC directive issued in August 2019, "most recalls" will cease during a shutdown, with the exception of those involving "an imminent threat to the safety of human life." Regulatory and compliance actions that don't involve a threat to human safety will not take place.
Congressional leaders were meeting with President Trump on Monday afternoon. If funding legislation isn't agreed on, the nation's government offices will be closed and nonexempt federal employees furloughed.
Trade data
In previous shutdowns, the US Census's USA Trade Online import data was not accessible by BRAIN, preventing us from doing our monthly Trade Watch report in our print magazine and import news updates on the web. The next batch of data is expected Oct. 7.
Customs and Border Patrol continues to operate during shutdowns, but delays often occur. In past shutdowns, customs brokers have lost access to the online Harmonized Tariff Schedules, which contain product categories and applicable duties and tariffs. Customs brokers are being advised this week to download the HTUS codes ahead of a potential shutdown.
Agency press offices often close or are understaffed during shutdowns, preventing agencies from responding to media inquiries.
licenses
During the 2013 shutdown, companies seeking FCC wireless IDs experienced delays. For example a LeMond trainer's release was delayed because the FCC wasn't issusing the licenses. Many bike products, including trainers. power meters and wireless shifters require the registrations.
