IMBA Launches Redesigned Website

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2000
Contact: Pete Webber

303-545-9011

The International Mountain Bicycling Association has launched a newly revamped website at www.imba.com.

The renovated site marks a significant step forward in the group's online presence, offering a more user-friendly format, additional resource materials, an online store and faster-loading pages.

IMBA has been on the web since 1996 and www.imba.com has become an important source of information for mountain bike advocates worldwide. The IMBA staff has been adding to the resource continually since its creation, and the large volume of information prompted the redesign effort. The revamped site contains more than 500 pages. A sophisticated search engine allows surfers to pinpoint information quickly.

While building the site, IMBA webmaster James Buratti put a special emphasis on easy navigation and fast-loading pages. Most pages are smaller than 35 kilobytes allowing surfers using slower modems to enjoy response times of less than 10 seconds.

"IMBA wants to provide helpful information to mountain bikers everywhere and whenever they need it. Our website makes this possible, particularly as we make it larger yet more user-friendly," says IMBA's membership director Pete Webber.

The new site is divided into the following 12 sections: About IMBA, News, Membership, Contacts/Links, Interactive, Resources, Trail Care Crew, Mtn. Bike Patrol, Epic Rides, International, IMBA Kids, and the Online Store.

The Resources section provides a vast library of advocacy information including trailbuilding and maintenance specifics, environmental impact studies, information on grants and liability, and tips on innovative trail management solutions.

The News area highlights the latest trail access happenings as well as an archive of IMBA's print newsletter "IMBA Trail News."

The Online Store offers IMBA membership, merchandise, useful publications, and gear for members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol.

An extensive Contacts/Links area provides a complete listing of IMBA's affiliated clubs, state reps, bicycle retailers, and corporate supporters.

The Interactive section includes an online calendar where users can post mountain bike events and trailwork sessions in their area. It also includes information on the popular IMBA Listserv, and will soon offer a discussion forum.

Another useful tool in the site is a complete selection of IMBA logos and graphics. All IMBA members - including corporate supporters, retail members, and affiliated clubs - are encouraged to use these IMBA logos and graphics in marketing materials, on T-shirts, web sites, posters, brochures, etc.

The site has already garnered positive feedback from visitors including these email snippets:

"...Your website is nothing short of a God-send in assisting with our preparation for (trail access) talks."

"...I decided to take a look at the Resources section of the IMBA website to see what was there. This is a big mistake if you don't have time to kill. I got sucked in for a half-hour... "

And this from "Dirt Rag" writer Bill Boles, the Old Coot: "Using the resources on the IMBA website I was able to quickly put together a 286-page paper with a 38 page bibliography for a trail committee meeting. Needless to say this absolutely blew away the group."

For more information on IMBA's site contact IMBA webmaster James Buratti at or IMBA's membership director Pete Webber at .

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	IMBA Launches Redesigned Website For Immediate Release June 21, 2000 Contact: Pete Webber 303-545-9011 The International Mountain Bicycling Association has launched a newly revamped website at www.imba.com. The renovated site marks a significant step forward in the group's online presence, offering a more user-friendly format, additional resource materials, an online store and faster-loading pages. IMBA has been on the web since 1996 and www.imba.com has become an important source of information for mountain bike advocates worldwide. The IMBA staff has been adding to the resource continually since its creation, and the large volume of information prompted the redesign effort. The revamped site contains more than 500 pages. A sophisticated search engine allows surfers to pinpoint information quickly. While building the site, IMBA webmaster James Buratti put a special emphasis on easy navigation and fast-loading pages. Most pages are smaller than 35 kilobytes allowing surfers using slower modems to enjoy response times of less than 10 seconds. "IMBA wants to provide helpful information to mountain bikers everywhere and whenever they need it. Our website makes this possible, particularly as we make it larger yet more user-friendly," says IMBA's membership director Pete Webber. The new site is divided into the following 12 sections: About IMBA, News, Membership, Contacts/Links, Interactive, Resources, Trail Care Crew, Mtn. Bike Patrol, Epic Rides, International, IMBA Kids, and the Online Store. The Resources section provides a vast library of advocacy information including trailbuilding and maintenance specifics, environmental impact studies, information on grants and liability, and tips on innovative trail management solutions. The News area highlights the latest trail access happenings as well as an archive of IMBA's print newsletter "IMBA Trail News." The Online Store offers IMBA membership, merchandise, useful publications, and gear for members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol. An extensive Contacts/Links area provides a complete listing of IMBA's affiliated clubs, state reps, bicycle retailers, and corporate supporters. The Interactive section includes an online calendar where users can post mountain bike events and trailwork sessions in their area. It also includes information on the popular IMBA Listserv, and will soon offer a discussion forum. Another useful tool in the site is a complete selection of IMBA logos and graphics. All IMBA members - including corporate supporters, retail members, and affiliated clubs - are encouraged to use these IMBA logos and graphics in marketing materials, on T-shirts, web sites, posters, brochures, etc. The site has already garnered positive feedback from visitors including these email snippets: "...Your website is nothing short of a God-send in assisting with our preparation for (trail access) talks." "...I decided to take a look at the Resources section of the IMBA website to see what was there. This is a big mistake if you don't have time to kill. I got sucked in for a half-hour... " And this from "Dirt Rag" writer Bill Boles, the Old Coot: "Using the resources on the IMBA website I was able to quickly put together a 286-page paper with a 38 page bibliography for a trail committee meeting. Needless to say this absolutely blew away the group." For more information on IMBA's site contact IMBA webmaster James Buratti at or IMBA's membership director Pete Webber at .


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