IMBA Leads Successful British Columbia Mountain Bike Access Summit

For Immediate Release
05-17-01
Contact: Dan Vardamis

303-545-9011

British Columbia mountain bikers gathered in Squamish, BC, May 12-13 for the first-ever British Columbia Mountain Bike Access Summit, presented by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Cycling BC and Shimano Canada.

The goal of the summit was to share and implement strategies to improve mountain bike access throughout the province. The weekend also included social events and plenty of sweet riding. The summit was part of IMBA's ongoing work to support and enhance mountain bike access in Canada.

Attendees shared strategies on how to establish and manage mountain bike clubs, interact with the media and work with land managers to improve trail access. The summit will help inspire the formation of new clubs and the development of new trails province-wide.

Presentations were made by land managers from BC Parks and the BC Ministry of Forests. Government officials from the Greater Vancouver Regional District attended to learn how to enhance recreational opportunities in their communities.

The summit attracted members of more than 20 bicycle clubs, including the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, Tricities Off-Road Cycling Coalition, North Shore Mountain Bike Association, South Island Mountain Bike Society and Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association.

"In one day, I learned more about land access issues and liability than all the previous events I have been involved in combined! Truly a great success from my perspective," said Richard Belson of Norco Bikes ­ a leading Canadian bicycle distributor.

The conference was hosted by the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association and was supported by the Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company, Norco Bikes, the Test of Metal mountain bike race and Powerbar.