THE BLC’S INVESTMENT IN IMBA SAVING TRAILS AND REACHING HIDDEN MARKETS
few years ago, bicyclists faced a grim reality: Hundreds of trails could have been closed by Wilderness proposals and other access threats. Fortunately, IMBA has been able to ward off many of those challenges. Today, IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative — an advocacy platform that was born at the 2010 Bicycle Leadership Conference — represents our interests in every major land protection campaign in the country. Several hidden markets have emerged from IMBA’s advocacy work. Our work in the political realm has yielded new opportunities to place bike facilities at ski resorts, increased opportunities for purpose-built bike trails on federal lands and opened doors for collaborative projects with conservation-minded organizations. The work has just begun. Thanks to BLC’s support of IMBA’s advocacy platform, we now have a seat at the negotiating table in 36 prominent trail access campaigns. To be successful, IMBA must continue building the resources that allow us to counter the large and well-organized groups that want to restrict bicycling on public lands. A profound thank you to Bikes Belong, Trek, Specialized and SRAM — along with the 36 other companies that helped launch IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative. We will continue pushing for better bike access and seizing opportunities that enhance our sport. All of us at IMBA deeply appreciate your commitment!
— Mike Van Abel, Executive Director
BIKE ADVOCACY LEADS TO HIDDEN MARKETS IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative (PLI) campaign has created an impressive track record. Beyond protecting bike access, several new opportunities for mountain bicycling have emerged. Ski Resorts: IMBA signed a partnership agreement to work with the U.S. Ski Areas Association to get more people mountain biking at our nation’s 325 ski resorts. IMBA also lobbied on behalf of Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s ski resort act — bringing new opportunities for mountain biking at ski areas. Purpose-built Trails: The BLC’s investment in IMBA’s advocacy work has dramatically enhanced our position at the negotiation table. Before, we were pleading just to hold access to trails. Today, we lead training sessions and public/private partnership efforts that result in purpose-built mountain biking facilities like community bike parks and IMBA flow trails. Conservation Movement: IMBA clubs and chapters are proactively introducing and endorsing new, bike-friendly land conservation measures. We are actively partnering with environmental-minded groups that embrace the idea that recreation and conservation can go hand in hand.
THANK YOU PLI SUPPORTERS Thanks for backing IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative! • Advanced Sports International/Fuji • Aero Tech Designs Cyclewear • B & L Bikeshop • Bicycle Dealer magazine • Bicycle Retailer and Industry News magazine • Bicycle Sport Shop • Bikes Belong Coalition • CamelBak • Campagnolo/Fulcrum • CatEye • DeFeet • Feedback Sports • FOX Racing Shox • GORE Bike Wear/GORE RideOn Cable Systems • Haro Bikes • Hayes Disc Brake • Hydrapak • Interbike • Palo Alto Bicycles • Park Tool • Performance Bicycle • Polar Bottle • Primal Wear • Purely Custom Cycling • Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) • Raleigh/Diamondback • Shimano • Sidi America • Skip Hess • SOAR Communications • Specialized • SRAM • The Hawley Company • The Wellness Agency • Thule • Trek Bicycle • Vitesse Cycle Shop • Wheel and Sprocket • Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB)