Advocating Bikers’ Rights: The Mountain Biking Association
One of the realities of being human is that the passions we share with others are the ones which bring us the most happiness and fulfillment. You may have friends who enjoy mountain biking with you every once in a while, but do not understand why you spend your days dreaming of the next time you can mount up and head out to conquer the wilderness. You deserve to find kindred spirits, and you should think about becoming a member of a mountain biking association.
The IMBA
The first place you should look for companionship is the International Mountain Biking Association; they have been around since 1988, and are considered the original mountain biking associations. The International Mountain Biking Association was the brain child of five California clubs who wanted to organize against the threatened closure of the biking terrain throughout their state.
The five charter members of the International Mountain Biking Association were Bicycles Trails Council East Bay; Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers; Concerned Off road Bicyclists Association; the Sacramento Rough Riders; and Bicycle Trails Council Marin.
The International Mountain Biking Association has grown significantly in the two decades since it began, and has continuously campaigned to preserve mountain biking trails and terrain. They are the ultimate advocates keeping biking trails open across the globe.
The IMBA Center
The International Mountain Biking Association has created a center which provides professional services including trail design, and works with the United States government through the Congress, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and he National Park Service as an advocate for the interests of off-road cyclists.
The IMBA also lends its support to mountain biking associations on a local level; with assistance from other corporate sponsors, they help with finances, and the building and maintaining of local biking trails.
One of the beneficiaries of help from the IMBA has been the New England Mountain Bike Association, a group of New Englander who promotes biking on the best international trails. The IMBA has helped them by preserving the very trails which they promote, and by educating the entire mountain world in safe and responsible cycling.
The IMBA publishes "Trail Solutions," a 272-page manual offering mountain cycling clubs advice on state-of-the-art trail design and construction tips with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format.
The manual also explains ways to attract sponsors and volunteers to help get the trail builst. It was written by over twenty mountain biking and trail construction experts.
If you are looking for a mountain biking association with members who share your enthusiasm, start with a local but well-established group. You’ll find them very helpful in introducing you to the wider world of mountain cycling, and perhaps event to some of its superstars!
