International Mountain Bicycling Association

IMBA’s 2025 Trails Count Assistance Grants have been announced! In partnership with Eco-Counter, IMBA invites Local Member Organizations to apply for this opportunity to elevate their assessment efforts. It provides IMBA Local Member Organizations with Eco-Counter’s Pyro Nano counters for six months. During this time, successful applicants get technical assistance related to the setup and maintenance of the counters, as well as access to a digital dashboard where they can run counting reports. Learn more about these grants and the communities that were awarded for the coming year: https://lnkd.in/gdfpj_Q9

These days, communities hope to be amongst the best places to live, work, and ride. But how do you know where yours stands? First things first: you gotta take the Trail Friendly Community assessment! IMBA developed the Trail Friendly Community self-assessment in partnership with West Virginia University's Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative and Extension, with the goal of creating a comprehensive assessment that analyzes trails and bike infrastructure through a broad lens of community development. Once you complete it, you’ll receive an immediate score and instant recommendations! And these results will provide a new leverage point with local officials, stakeholders and funders to accelerate trail and community development. Get started on your path to becoming an IMBA Trail Friendly Community: https://lnkd.in/gBZJAnVy

IMBA Trail Solutions’ Trey goes into detail on working with adaptive riders and setting standards. Have a question for a builder? Comment below or fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/dNYnTQMt More information on standards for adaptive trail users: A number of organizations and individuals have developed or have started on various parts of aMTB guidelines/standards. Currently, these all vary in theme. Some are based on user experience, some are based on the need for rider support individuals, and some are based on trail construction methods. Kootney Adaptive Sports Association developed adaptive trail specification “standards” v2.0 based on IMBA guidelines in conjunction with IMBA Canada: https://lnkd.in/gCJpiPGk American Trails Webinar: https://lnkd.in/gDE7S2cN

A little holiday-appropriate throwback 🎃

IMBA Local Member Orgs and IMBA National work together to make a huge difference in the riding opportunities available today.⁠ ⁠ Factoring in the tools and resources, grant opportunities, and expertise that’s being passed along through education programs to land managers and volunteers, it adds up to a new era for trails. Progress is happening at all levels and you can be part of the charge!⁠ ⁠ When you support your IMBA Local Organization, you amplify their impact. Financial support stays with your org, and they use their expertise and connections to protect great riding, leading to more wellness and community.⁠ ⁠ Join or renew today: imba.com/join

Rumor has it that people are volunteering less now than 2-3 years ago. How do we encourage and mobilize more volunteers to work on trails? Trail Builder Magazine recently posed this question on social media and compiled the trail community’s top 5 ways to grow volunteer trail work days. Read those here: https://lnkd.in/g-8CSrzk

Whether your community is breaking ground or maintaining existing trails, teamwork leads to great outcomes. Earlier this year, trail volunteers and professionals convened in Erie, PA to learn modern sustainable trail techniques and gain some new methods to work together toward a better trail experience for the whole community. IMBA Trail Solutions offers this program on demand in communities everywhere. Learn the latest trail management techniques and do the most with the available resources. Schedule a 2025 Trail Management School for your team!  https://lnkd.in/gYry5ikm

More progress is being made on new bike park-style, all wheel trails in Adams Park! The IMBA Trail Solutions team on the ground in Omaha, Nebraska, doubled in size this week as they began putting the seal on these all-weather style trails amongst the rolling hills that make up this beloved North Omaha park. While our IMBA Trail Solutions team is laying down lines, Trails Have Our Respect staff have been installing Eco-Counters in key areas to track usage of this investment. Specifically designed with this community in mind, these low-maintenance trails designed in open spaces are perfect for kids, families, and folks new to trails. While one team chip seals the intermediate and beginner mountain bike-optimized lines, others are rough-cutting all-weather connectors to what will be a bicycle playground, modular pump track, and a few natural surface trails in the next few weeks. Send the builders sunny weather with highs above 50° and good vibes as they finish these processes!

We can keep protecting great riding together. During this month’s membership drive, the prizes that our bike, travel, and outdoor industry partners have generously contributed make this member drive exciting. But the real prize is for each and every one of us: more riders have opportunities to break their routines and create deeper connections. Trails change lives and communities. Keep up the momentum in your community by joining Local: imba.com/join

🤩 SAVE THE DATE! 🤩 IMBA's Trail Labs: Foundations will have a new home for 2025-2026: Minnesota! And the first workshop will be held in Winona on May 7th-8th. Never heard of Trail Labs: Foundations? Learn more below and keep your eyes peeled for when we open up registration: https://lnkd.in/dJ4U8hWM