IMBA Designates Seattle A Hot Spot
For Immediate Release
02-15-01
Contact: Dan
303-545-9011
IMBA sent two staff members to Seattle, Washington, on February 9-11 to help local advocates develop strategies to improve access. Advocacy team members Dan Vardamis and Judd De Vall worked with Seattle IMBA affiliated clubs Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (www.bbtc.org) and Singletrack Mind Cycling Club (www.stmcc.org), and IMBA Washington State Rep Len Francies.
The visit to Seattle is part of IMBA's Hot Spot program which focuses on mountain bike access in urban areas. Hot Spots are places in or near major cities where the demand for mountain bike access is high and the availability of trails is limited. Previous Hot Spot locations include Houston, New York and Philadelphia.
Despite the fact that the state of Washington offers some of the best mountain biking in the United States, Seattle off road cyclists must drive about an hour to access appealing trails. The situation is made more complex by the large number of government agencies that manage metro area land. In addition, regional organizations representing other user groups are well established, making it more challenging for local volunteer mountain biking groups to influence the public process.
To improve conditions, local mountain bikers and IMBA created an action plan with the following steps:
- A committee was established to create a unified Seattle-wide
mountain bike advocacy organization, possibly with a professional staff.
- Focus on developing new trails and improving access on nearby parks and
forests where land managers are receptive.
- Increased IMBA assistance through Subaru/IMBA Trail Crew visits, continuing staff support and possibly a Northwest regional summit.
In addition to advocacy meetings, Vardamis and De Vall participated in two Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club organized events - a ride Saturday on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, and trailbuilding Sunday at Big Finn Hill King County Park.
