Pedal Power

Robin Williams. Madonna. Governor Christine Whitman. Shaquille O'Neal. Kramer from Seinfeld. All of these people have at least three things in common: they're famous, they're influential and they're mountain bikers who can help our sport.

One of IMBA's primary goals is to make sure that mountain bikers are at the table when important land management decisions are made. Historically, getting to the table hasn't been easy for us. Our activity has not been around as long as hiking or horseback riding so local and regional relationships between mountain bike groups and government officials are often still taking shape.

Getting to the table is important, but it's clearly not enough to get things done on behalf of our sport. We need to be the table-setters - the decision-makers. We need to be the elected officials, volunteer committee chairs, top land managers, and high profile citizens in our communities.

The benefits of leading decision-making processes are obvious. In Georgia and South Carolina, for example, avid mountain bikers are key members of state trails councils. They also head committees that determine National Recreation Trails grants. As a result, our sport is increasingly respected and supported in these states.

While New Jersey Governor Whitman has yet to step forward on behalf of off-road cycling, her passion for mountain biking could become a tremendous asset in reshaping Garden State trail access policies and attitudes. And if she were to run for Vice-President....

So here's the challenge for IMBA members: Collectively, we need to identify every top government official, captain of industry, celebrity and sports star who enjoys mountain biking. We need to connect these people with IMBA's essential ideas - in the name of assuring a brighter future for our sport.

If you know someone who has clout and needs to be introduced to IMBA's work, let us know. We'll put them on our mailing list. We'll send them IMBA Trail News and other key IMBA information.

The truth is, we need elected officials who are mountain bikers more than we need Hollywood heavyweights. Access decisions will be shaped at city hall, not on Entertainment Tonight. Shaq is high profile, but we need senators and state legislators to push the fat-tire agenda.

Thankfully, all of this is already happening. Almost every day we add new names to our list of people of power and influence who also happen to be passionate mountain bikers.

Mountain bikers are coming of age...and this is one area where age is good.

- T.B.

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	Pedal Power Robin Williams. Madonna. Governor Christine Whitman. Shaquille O'Neal. Kramer from Seinfeld. All of these people have at least three things in common: they're famous, they're influential and they're mountain bikers who can help our sport. One of IMBA's primary goals is to make sure that mountain bikers are at the table when important land management decisions are made. Historically, getting to the table hasn't been easy for us. Our activity has not been around as long as hiking or horseback riding so local and regional relationships between mountain bike groups and government officials are often still taking shape. Getting to the table is important, but it's clearly not enough to get things done on behalf of our sport. We need to be the table-setters - the decision-makers. We need to be the elected officials, volunteer committee chairs, top land managers, and high profile citizens in our communities. The benefits of leading decision-making processes are obvious. In Georgia and South Carolina, for example, avid mountain bikers are key members of state trails councils. They also head committees that determine National Recreation Trails grants. As a result, our sport is increasingly respected and supported in these states. While New Jersey Governor Whitman has yet to step forward on behalf of off-road cycling, her passion for mountain biking could become a tremendous asset in reshaping Garden State trail access policies and attitudes. And if she were to run for Vice-President.... So here's the challenge for IMBA members: Collectively, we need to identify every top government official, captain of industry, celebrity and sports star who enjoys mountain biking. We need to connect these people with IMBA's essential ideas - in the name of assuring a brighter future for our sport. If you know someone who has clout and needs to be introduced to IMBA's work, let us know. We'll put them on our mailing list. We'll send them IMBA Trail News and other key IMBA information. The truth is, we need elected officials who are mountain bikers more than we need Hollywood heavyweights. Access decisions will be shaped at city hall, not on Entertainment Tonight. Shaq is high profile, but we need senators and state legislators to push the fat-tire agenda. Thankfully, all of this is already happening. Almost every day we add new names to our list of people of power and influence who also happen to be passionate mountain bikers. Mountain bikers are coming of age...and this is one area where age is good. - T.B.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright