IMBA and National Park Service Enter Third Year of Partnership
For Immediate Release
04-26-07
Contact: Jenn Dice, Government Affairs Director
303-545-9011
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the National Park Service (NPS) are excited to enter the third year of their formal partnership. Building on the many successes of 2006, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews will be visiting nine parks in 2007.
Nine Trail Care Crew Visits for 2007
Across the country, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews are visiting with park staff to discuss mountain bicycling, shared-use trails and sustainable trail design and construction. This year, IMBA hopes to visit as many as nine NPS units. The Trail Care Crews will provide expert advice on trail etiquette and rider education, managing mountain bikes, trailbuilding and trail repair. The Crews will work with local mountain bike clubs, other trail user groups, community leaders and park staff to foster communication and collaboration. Visits have been proposed for these parks:
- Big Bend National Park (Texas)
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (Kentucky and Tennessee)
- Fort Dupont Park (District of Columbia)
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area (California) Oct. 25-28
- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Pennsylvania) June 20-24
- New River Gorge National River (West Virginia) May 29
- Prince William National Forest Park (Virginia)
- Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites (New York) Sept. 13-16
- Saguaro National Park (Arizona) March 1-4
IMBA invites all NPS staff and other trail users to any of our events. Plan to attend a Trail Care Crew visit near you.
IMBA Supports Centennial Initiative and Increased NPS Funding
IMBA is advocating for two important NPS programs in 2007. Hundreds of mountain bicyclists recently attended public listening sessions to support the Centennial Initiative (CI), a campaign to boost NPS funding for the agency's 100th anniversary in 2016. Advocates asked for programs to get visitors out of their cars and onto appropriate narrow dirt trails and roads on bicycles. Mountain bicyclists are also asking for more programs to introduce children to their national parks through mountain biking. IMBA believes allowing youth to ride their bicycles increases parks' relevance, encourages exercise and an appreciation for nature while fostering a stewardship ethic.
In March, mountain bicycling leaders held nearly 200 meetings on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to restore funding to the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. Each year, RTCA helps local communities with nearly 300 projects, including many for mountain bicycling. Unfortunately, a decade of flat funding has reduced RTCA's capacity and IMBA asked that their budget be increased to $12 million for fiscal year 2008.
IMBA is also part of the Outdoor Alliance (OA) coalition that represents almost 100 million people who hike, mountain bike, climb, paddle and cross-country ski. OA works to ensure the conservation and stewardship of our nation's land and waters through the promotion of sustainable, human-powered recreation. IMBA and OA have been actively supporting increased NPS funding and meeting with congressional offices to support increased appropriations.
Pilot Programs Continue at Three NPS Units
In 2006, IMBA and the NPS named three pilot projects to develop long-term partnerships and consider new opportunities for mountain bicycling. These projects are progressing at Big Bend National Park (TX), Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH) and Fort Dupont Park (DC).
IMBA staff and club advocates have led trailwork days, raised funding, and reached out to other trail user groups to inspire a trails community behind each project. Currently, all three parks are undergoing environmental evaluations processes to properly assess new opportunities for bicycling and repairing existing, degraded trails.
Reports Available From 2006 NPS Visits
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews visited one dozen NPS units in 2006. Check stories from the following trips:
Volcanoes National Park: Big Island, Hawaii
Big Bend National Park, Texas: Even Texans Can't Overstate its Beauty
Redding, CA: Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew works in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Tucson, AZ: Mountain Biking in Saguaro National Park
