News Briefs

IMBA Trail News
Volume 13, Number 5
Winter 2000

GHORBA Gaining Ground

When IMBA staff visited Houston in 1999 a popular downtown trail system was slated for closure and local mountain bikers couldn't agree on a tactical response. Things have come a long way in the past year, thanks to IMBA affiliate Greater Houston Off Road Bike Association (GHORBA). GHORBA has succeeded in turning Houston's previously scattered mountain biking community into a cohesive unit that city officials now look to for advice regarding trails. GHORBA has been working for improved mountain bike access in the contentious Memorial Park, and hope to begin work on a crucial connector trail this winter. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. has granted approximately $20,000 for this trail, which - when combined with volunteer trailwork from GHORBA members - will provide Houston mountain bikers with a solid downtown trail experience. GHORBA is also assisting with other projects, including a trail that could be incorporated into Houston's potential 2012 Summer Olympics bid.

CARA Fails in Congress, But...

Despite being approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, the promising Conservation and Reinvestment Act failed to pass in the 106th Congress. IMBA and other recreation groups supported the bill because it proposed increased funding for public land acquisition, wildlife conservation and recreation. Congress did pass a weaker measure authorizing $12 billion in conservation spending during the next five years. Unlike CARA, this act's annual funding is subject to annual debates over how much of the money should actually be spent. CARA did not pass the Senate because of opposition to its financial guarantee and its plan to acquire more federal lands. CARA has strong public support and may be reconsidered by the 107th Congress, which convenes in January. CARA included full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. IMBA has worked for several years in a national coalition, Americans For Our Heritage and Recreation, to achieve that goal. For more info, visit www.ahr.org.

IMBA Attends Trails Symposium

The 15th National Trails Symposium was held Sept. 21-24 in Redding, CA. The bi-annual event, organized by the broad-based advocacy group American Trails, brings together all the major players in the trails community, including hikers, equestrians, cyclists, motorized users, land managers, politicians, and academics. IMBA leaders participated in events ranging from scientific inquiries to trailbuilding projects to major public policy debates. IMBA joined the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, American Hiking Society, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and several other groups in announcing the formation of the National Trails Training Partnership. The coalition will work together to better organize information about events and resources that teach trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance. One of the conference's most provactive panels featured IMBA's Jim Hasenauer debating recreation and Wilderness issues with environmentalist Roz McClellan and the Blue Ribbon Coalition's Clark Collins.

VeloSwap Aids Advocacy

VeloSwap, the giant annual bicycle swap and advocacy fundraiser, posted record attendance at its two event this October. In Hartford, CT, the New England VeloSwap was held for the second year. In Denver, CO, this year's 12th edition was held at the sprawling National Western Complex - a step up from the farm field where the event began. More than 12,000 people came through the doors at the Denver VeloSwap this year. There were more than 400 vendors offering bargains on bikes, bike parts and cycling apparel. Proceeds from the VeloSwap are split by several bike advocacy groups. The New England VeloSwap benefits NEMBA and the Connecticut Bicycle Coalition. The Colorado event benefits Bicycle Colorado, the Boulder Off-road Alliance, IMBA and the American Cycling Association. VeloNews, an IMBA above and beyond corporate partner, coordinates VeloSwap. Subaru of America is the presenting sponsor.

IMBA Meets Wilderness Advocates

IMBA represented mountain bikers at a national environmental gathering, "A Living Legacy: Wilderness 2000 Conference" held in September in Denver, CO. IMBA staff met with Wilderness advocates from around the country to discuss the issue of bicycling and Wilderness designation. Wilderness designation is a difficult issue for mountain bikers because it prohibits "mechanized travel," including bicycles. While numerous polls and studies have shown IMBA members to be staunch supporters of environmental protection, many mountain bikers are reluctant to support new Wilderness proposals. IMBA's goal is help protect these great tracts of public land while ensuring reasonable access for mountain biking.

Philly Patrol Builds Momentum

The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol (DVMBP) has had great success during their first summer of operation in Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park. With support from park officials, the DVMBP has contributed more than 600 volunteer hours of patrol work - providing first aid assistance, guidance on park rules, environmental education, and assistance to all trail users. DVMBP's efforts have helped build a strong relationship among the local park commission, cyclists and the community at-large in one of Philadelphia's most popular and beautiful parks. This National Mountain Bike Patrol affiliate is seeking new patrol members and offers training clinics for prospective patrollers year round. Info:

Florida Clubs Keeping Busy

IMBA-affiliated clubs in Florida are putting in long hours on successful regional projects. In the northern end of the state, the Suwannee Bicycle Association has worked with local land managers and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew to create more than 50 miles of new trails open to mountain bikers. The group has been growing steadily since 1989 and now has more than 300 members. In addition to their trailbuilding activities, the club sponsors several festivals and group rides, attracting more than 2,000 riders to the area each year. In Tampa, the Southwest Association of Mountain Pedalers (SWAMP) has organized a blockbuster schedule of advocacy and trailbuilding events. The club's 430 members maintain more than 110 miles of trail and are building more. Their latest project is trail development in the new Alafia State Recreation Area. This 30,000-acre parcel was mined in the 1960s, creating hilly terrain - a bonus for Florida riders. With SWAMP's help, the area will open to the public in March 2001.

Mountain Biking Tops ORCA Study

Singletrack mountain biking boasts more U.S. adult enthusiasts, 13.5 million in 1999, than any other outdoor adventure activity, including hiking, trail running and camping. This high level of mountain biking participation was a key finding of an annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Study conducted by Leisure Trends/Gallup and presented by the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of American (ORCA), the trade association of the outdoor industry. The definition of enthusiast varies from activity to activity. A singletrack mountain biking enthusiast is defined as someone who pedals narrow dirt at least six times per year. To qualify as a hiking enthusiast, one must hike at least 13 times per year. While these varying definitions qualify the results, one conclusion is obvious: mountain biking on narrow trails is extremely popular nationwide. The ORCA study findings may help mountain bike advocates prove to land managers that singletrack riding is an experience that is desired by a significant percentage of the public. Measured by (at least) one-time-per-year participation, road cycling was the most popular outdoor recreational activity in '99 (76 million adults), followed closely by hiking (72.6 million). Singletrack mountain biking (37.1 million participants) ranked fourth behind car camping. For more info on the study, visit ORCA's website at www.orca.org.

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	News Briefs IMBA Trail News Volume 13, Number 5 Winter 2000 GHORBA Gaining Ground When IMBA staff visited Houston in 1999 a popular downtown trail system was slated for closure and local mountain bikers couldn't agree on a tactical response. Things have come a long way in the past year, thanks to IMBA affiliate Greater Houston Off Road Bike Association (GHORBA). GHORBA has succeeded in turning Houston's previously scattered mountain biking community into a cohesive unit that city officials now look to for advice regarding trails. GHORBA has been working for improved mountain bike access in the contentious Memorial Park, and hope to begin work on a crucial connector trail this winter. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. has granted approximately $20,000 for this trail, which - when combined with volunteer trailwork from GHORBA members - will provide Houston mountain bikers with a solid downtown trail experience. GHORBA is also assisting with other projects, including a trail that could be incorporated into Houston's potential 2012 Summer Olympics bid. CARA Fails in Congress, But... Despite being approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, the promising Conservation and Reinvestment Act failed to pass in the 106th Congress. IMBA and other recreation groups supported the bill because it proposed increased funding for public land acquisition, wildlife conservation and recreation. Congress did pass a weaker measure authorizing $12 billion in conservation spending during the next five years. Unlike CARA, this act's annual funding is subject to annual debates over how much of the money should actually be spent. CARA did not pass the Senate because of opposition to its financial guarantee and its plan to acquire more federal lands. CARA has strong public support and may be reconsidered by the 107th Congress, which convenes in January. CARA included full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. IMBA has worked for several years in a national coalition, Americans For Our Heritage and Recreation, to achieve that goal. For more info, visit www.ahr.org. IMBA Attends Trails Symposium The 15th National Trails Symposium was held Sept. 21-24 in Redding, CA. The bi-annual event, organized by the broad-based advocacy group American Trails, brings together all the major players in the trails community, including hikers, equestrians, cyclists, motorized users, land managers, politicians, and academics. IMBA leaders participated in events ranging from scientific inquiries to trailbuilding projects to major public policy debates. IMBA joined the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, American Hiking Society, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and several other groups in announcing the formation of the National Trails Training Partnership. The coalition will work together to better organize information about events and resources that teach trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance. One of the conference's most provactive panels featured IMBA's Jim Hasenauer debating recreation and Wilderness issues with environmentalist Roz McClellan and the Blue Ribbon Coalition's Clark Collins. VeloSwap Aids Advocacy VeloSwap, the giant annual bicycle swap and advocacy fundraiser, posted record attendance at its two event this October. In Hartford, CT, the New England VeloSwap was held for the second year. In Denver, CO, this year's 12th edition was held at the sprawling National Western Complex - a step up from the farm field where the event began. More than 12,000 people came through the doors at the Denver VeloSwap this year. There were more than 400 vendors offering bargains on bikes, bike parts and cycling apparel. Proceeds from the VeloSwap are split by several bike advocacy groups. The New England VeloSwap benefits NEMBA and the Connecticut Bicycle Coalition. The Colorado event benefits Bicycle Colorado, the Boulder Off-road Alliance, IMBA and the American Cycling Association. VeloNews, an IMBA above and beyond corporate partner, coordinates VeloSwap. Subaru of America is the presenting sponsor. IMBA Meets Wilderness Advocates IMBA represented mountain bikers at a national environmental gathering, "A Living Legacy: Wilderness 2000 Conference" held in September in Denver, CO. IMBA staff met with Wilderness advocates from around the country to discuss the issue of bicycling and Wilderness designation. Wilderness designation is a difficult issue for mountain bikers because it prohibits "mechanized travel," including bicycles. While numerous polls and studies have shown IMBA members to be staunch supporters of environmental protection, many mountain bikers are reluctant to support new Wilderness proposals. IMBA's goal is help protect these great tracts of public land while ensuring reasonable access for mountain biking. Philly Patrol Builds Momentum The Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol (DVMBP) has had great success during their first summer of operation in Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park. With support from park officials, the DVMBP has contributed more than 600 volunteer hours of patrol work - providing first aid assistance, guidance on park rules, environmental education, and assistance to all trail users. DVMBP's efforts have helped build a strong relationship among the local park commission, cyclists and the community at-large in one of Philadelphia's most popular and beautiful parks. This National Mountain Bike Patrol affiliate is seeking new patrol members and offers training clinics for prospective patrollers year round. Info: Florida Clubs Keeping Busy IMBA-affiliated clubs in Florida are putting in long hours on successful regional projects. In the northern end of the state, the Suwannee Bicycle Association has worked with local land managers and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew to create more than 50 miles of new trails open to mountain bikers. The group has been growing steadily since 1989 and now has more than 300 members. In addition to their trailbuilding activities, the club sponsors several festivals and group rides, attracting more than 2,000 riders to the area each year. In Tampa, the Southwest Association of Mountain Pedalers (SWAMP) has organized a blockbuster schedule of advocacy and trailbuilding events. The club's 430 members maintain more than 110 miles of trail and are building more. Their latest project is trail development in the new Alafia State Recreation Area. This 30,000-acre parcel was mined in the 1960s, creating hilly terrain - a bonus for Florida riders. With SWAMP's help, the area will open to the public in March 2001. Mountain Biking Tops ORCA Study Singletrack mountain biking boasts more U.S. adult enthusiasts, 13.5 million in 1999, than any other outdoor adventure activity, including hiking, trail running and camping. This high level of mountain biking participation was a key finding of an annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Study conducted by Leisure Trends/Gallup and presented by the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of American (ORCA), the trade association of the outdoor industry. The definition of enthusiast varies from activity to activity. A singletrack mountain biking enthusiast is defined as someone who pedals narrow dirt at least six times per year. To qualify as a hiking enthusiast, one must hike at least 13 times per year. While these varying definitions qualify the results, one conclusion is obvious: mountain biking on narrow trails is extremely popular nationwide. The ORCA study findings may help mountain bike advocates prove to land managers that singletrack riding is an experience that is desired by a significant percentage of the public. Measured by (at least) one-time-per-year participation, road cycling was the most popular outdoor recreational activity in '99 (76 million adults), followed closely by hiking (72.6 million). Singletrack mountain biking (37.1 million participants) ranked fourth behind car camping. For more info on the study, visit ORCA's website at www.orca.org.


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