Lessons From the First 15
IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 5
Winter 2003
In March 1988, when a small group of California mountain bike club leaders gathered for the first time, here's what they knew: Golden State parks management was considering a widespread ban on bicycle trail use and something needed to be done. It was a crisis.
These pioneering advocates quickly created a strategy to get organized, develop political clout and promote smart, low-impact riding. To pull the movement together and give it a face, they launched a new organization: the International Mountain Bicycling Association.
These initial tactics proved effective. Fifteen years later, this basic strategy continues to guide IMBA and it has been successfully adopted by hundreds of other mountain bike groups around the globe. Maybe our founders could have predicted this. But so many other things that happened during IMBA's first decade-and-a-half simply couldn't have been anticipated.
For example, back in '88, who would have guessed that suspension technology would so dramatically improve the ability of recreational mountain bikers to ride technical trails?
Who could have predicted that mountain biking would become an official Olympic sport by 1996 but that its rise to the world's ultimate athletic stage would have only a negligible effect on the sport?
Could anyone have dreamed that IMBA-affiliated mountain bikers would perform a million hours of volunteer work each year to improve public land? Or that these same volunteers would play a key role in building close to 1,000 miles of new trails annually?
In '88, the trail design skills of mountain bikers weren't on anyone's radar screen. Today, IMBA staff and our field trailbuilding partners are widely recognized as exceptionally skilled and innovative trail construction specialists. This has made a big difference in gaining new trail access.
During IMBA's early years, we probably could have guessed that the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service would become great supporters of mountain biking, but how 'bout the Army Corps of Engineers? They've been super to work with and the potential for new Army Corps trails is exceptional. The lesson? You can find good friends in unexpected places.
It's fascinating to look back, but it's essential to focus forward and ponder what the next 15 years will mean for mountain biking and IMBA. A few predictions:
Trails will become even more important in our society, as people look to escape from the ever-expanding concrete jungle. This will be positive for mountain biking.
All types of cycling will grow because riding is fun, practical, and beneficial to both the individual and the planet. However, the rate of growth won't be dramatic: desk jobs and new technology will make it easier than ever to succumb to a sedentary lifestyle.
Traditional singletrack and dirt road cross-country riding will remain popular, particularly in places where well-designed, expansive trail systems are available. Highly technical freeriding parks will continue to develop at ski resorts and at specially designated sites close to cities.
Kids will start riding again--maybe not quite at the level of the 1960s and 70s, but close. Mountain biking is the perfect sport for kids 9-16. Dirt jump parks will become more common because, like skate parks, they're an efficient use of space and put parents' minds at ease.
By the year 2010, a significant percentage of corporate leaders and top government officials will have mountain biking experience and will be positive-minded about our sport. On the other hand, the world will be more crowded and day-to-day living for most people will be more stressful: a sure-fire recipe for continuing trail access disputes. In short, we'll have more clout but still lots of opponents.
One element of our sport's future is guaranteed: mountain bikers will continue to be positive-minded, energetic and fun-loving. That's because riding builds character and makes all of us feel good--really good. I can't imagine this ever changing. Can you?
- Tim Blumenthal
