2004 IMBA Report Card

IMBA Trail News
Volume 17, Number 5
Winter 2004

If the IMBA Report Card proves one thing, it's that mountain bikers are resilient. Since we began the grading process back in 2000, we've awarded a fair share of high grades. We've also given some low grades that would definitely get a slacking middle school student grounded.

But instead of moping around and complaining about poor grades, mountain bikers from those states have gotten busy making things better. For example, back in 2000, Ohio was given a paltry "D" grade. Things were a mess, with few legal trails and little organization. The change over the past five years has been startling. Ohio now has one of the best advocacy groups in the country, lots of new trails and strong relationships with other user groups. Similar turnarounds have taken place in other poorly-graded states, including Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Indiana.

Improving access, focusing energy and motivating people are all goals of the IMBA Report Card. It is a tool to let IMBA members and mountain bikers know where we're doing well and where riding is threatened. The IMBA Report Card rewards progress and new trail developments.

Since trail access is a global issue, we also asked advocates outside the U.S. to analyze their country's situations. These grades are reflected in the international portion of the IMBA Report Card.

Final grades were tabulated using a formula that takes into account many factors, including strength of local organizations, percent of trails open to riding, relations with land managers and other user groups, and threats to access. We solicited input from our network of reps, field experts and staff. We also used results from an online poll of IMBA members.

Finally, the IMBA Report Card is a resource for mountain bikers, and we've created the following tips to help you and your club:

1. Did your state get a bad grade? Take that grade and use it to motivate people. Request a meeting with elected officials, town councils and land managers to talk about ways to work together to improve trail access.
2. Get a good grade? Then brag about it! Encourage your local and state tourism bureaus to incorporate it into their promotional materials. Ask bike shops and touring companies to do the same.
3. Get the word out. Make sure your state and local media get the news of your new report card grade. Visit imba.com for a sample press release you can customize.
4. Set a goal, make a pledge. Work with other IMBA affiliated clubs to raise your state's grade. Make a list of priorities and create a game plan to accomplish them. Make a pledge to hold meetings, conduct volunteer projects and get more involved in trail decisions.
5. Grade specific areas of your state. Breaking down your riding areas and grading them allows you to focus attention on places that need work.

If you have comments or questions about the 2004 IMBA Report Card, email us at

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2004 IMBA U.S. Mountain Bike Access Report Card

State	Grade	Phat	Flat	Trend
West Virginia	A	Governor & tourism chief support MTB	Monongahalla Wilderness Bill problematic
Utah	A-	Moab, St. George, Park City world-class	Political climate leaves lands at risk
Arizona	A-	AZ Trail offers path to nirvana	Phoenix sprawl suffocates desert
Idaho	A-	New leadership, endless, epic singletrack	Boulder-Whiteclouds Wilderness Bill looms
Colorado	A-	State Parks adds trails , better BLM relations	Denver needs leading advocacy group
Michigan	B+	New urban trails, REI-sponsored trail clinics	DNR budget woes
Virginia	B+	Strong advocates lead Wilderness compromise	Carriage roads closed in Shenandoah NP
New Mexico	B+	First state to officially partner with IMBA	Otero moving slower than an armadillo
Alaska	B+	Global warming dries trails, improved clubs	Riding on cross country ski trails sucks
Washington	B+	BBTC reaches upper echelon, varied trails	Last minute Wilderness Bill controversial
Texas	B+	Dallas, Houston star clubs, Trail Docs blaze	Cowboy ethics pit horses against bikes
New Hampshire	B+	Advocates dialing White Mtn. Plan	Urban sprawl in south, need more Jinxberrys
South Dakota	B+	Black Hills trails hidden gem	State promo needed to reach next level
Massachusetts	B+	Strong partnerships, trails for all abilities	Crowded urban trails, Damon doesn't ride
Maryland	B+	Federal trail grants fund MORE singletrack	Opponents well organized, well credentialed
Missouri	B+	Land manager's seek bikers advice	More trails needed in the north
Wyoming	B	Freeride scene blossoming in Tetons	Snowmobiles in Yellowstone, but no bikes?
Wisconsin	B	WORBA rocks, great events, cycling culture	Limited options = crowded trails
Georgia	B	Chattahoochee NF Plan outstanding for MTB	Atlanta urban sprawl, car culture
Tennessee	B	Chattanooga aims for 100 miles by 2010	GEtting riders involved is challenging
Florida	B	Urban pockets of singletrack heaven	Trails hammered and closed by hurricanes
North Carolina	B	Western singletrack, freeriding culture	More advocates and trails needed in east
Arkansas	B	Womble, Sylamore create MTB destinations	Better MTB organization needed to raise bar
North Dakota	B	Minot A.B. adds new trails	Sierra Club oppose Maah Daah Hey growth
South Carolina	B	Top notch trailbuilders, FORKS area singletrack	Land manager relations still mending
Oregon	B	Super advocates forming statewide group	Wilderness bill could close 200 miles of trail
Oklahoma	B	Proactive land managers who ride	Clubs need reinvigorating
Minnesota	B	Minneapolis club raises money, builds trail	Advocates on Lake Superior must unify
Kentucky	B	New trails in Louisville, statewide website	New blood hard to find
New York	B	Advocates breakthrough in NYC	Old school land management, Yanks choke
Ohio	B	Stellar organization, shared use partnership	Cleveland access not rock and roll...yet
Nevada	B-	Small towns using MTB to boost economy	Zero MTB imput on Wilderness bill
Montana	B-	Lots of wild country, Missoula improved	State unorganized, ATV's turn trails to roads
Pennsylvania	B-	State getting organized, Philly improved	No progress with PA Game Commission
Kansas	B-	Witchita rolling, new singletrack harvest	Private property excludes trails
California	B-	Savvy advocates; awesome, diverse riding	Wilderness issue relentless, Nisene Marks
Illinois	B-	Statewide organization, Joliet Freeride Park	Opening trails like pulling teeth
Nebraska	B-	Omaha club reorganized and charging	Limited trails and cycling culture
Vermont	B-	Legit VT singletrack as good as anywhere	Blanket bike bans, land use conflict
Maine	C+	Bradbury Mtn State Park, New NEMBA chapter	Coordinated advocacy remains elusive
Iowa	C+	Iowa Corps partnership solid	Calling more riders to get involved
Connecticut	C+	Multiple technical riding areas	700 miles of trail off-limits to bikes
Delaware	C+	Tiny state boasts solid singletrack	Lots of people, little land
Indiana	C+	2003 grade leveraged for new trails	Piecemeal land parcels temper progress
Mississippi	C+	Homochitto singletrack best in region	Conflict with motorized, little cycling culture
Louisiana	C	Small steps boost mountain biking	Most of New Orleans is below sea-level
Alabama	C	BUMP grinds on, good rolling trails statewide	Hurricanes bashed singletrack
Rhode Island	C	"Road" Island has pockets of singletrack	See Delaware
Hawaii	C	Exotic scenery, several amazing rides	MTB organization nearly non-existent
New Jersey	C-	Pockets of diverse, outstanding riding	Crowded trails=conflict, strong opponents

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2004 IMBA International Mountain Bike Access Report Card

Mindful of our ever-increasing work outside the U.S., we are once again issuing grades to countries and regions where IMBA is active. As a new twist this year we're also comparing access of entire countries, including the United States.

Country/Region	Grade	Phat	Flat
CANADA	A-	TRAILS, CULTURE, NEW IMBA OFFICE	MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVOCACY IN EAST ELUSIVE
British Columbia	A	Whistler model freeride area, kids, clubs, trails	Not much...perhaps getting too popular?
Yukon	A-	World class trails, committed advocates, naked night laps	Stronger club needed to take next step?
Ontario	A-	Progress in Ottawa & Toronto, new reps, IMBA grants	Northern communities slow to embrace cycling?
Alberta	B+	Banff, Canmore & Canadian Rockies = exceptional riding	MTB representation slow to progress?
Saskatchewan	C+	New IMBA representation, trails across Great Plains	Saskatchewan + mountain biking = tough sell?
Quebec	C	Bromont, Mt. Saint Anne offer exceptional riding & racing	Limited trail advocacy work?
ITALY	A-	MODEL FREERIDE PARK IN FINALE LIGURE	CLOSURES EMERGE AT LAKE GARDA
UNITED STATES	B	MORE & BETTER ADVOCATES NATIONWIDE	NATIONAL PARK ACCESS VERY LIMITED
ISRAEL	B	LONG DISTANCE MTB TRAIL TRAVERSES COUNTRY	ADVOCACY EFFORTS STILL FLEDGLING
UNITED KINGDOM	B	IMBA UK PROGRESS, EXCEPTIONAL MTB CENTERS	MORE MEMBERS NEEDED FOR MORE CLOUT
Scotland	A-	The people's choice, sustainable trails withstand weather	More grassroots representation would earn "A" grade?
Wales	A-	Welsh Mountain Bike Initiative make MTB tourism priority	Most trail closed to bikes outside MTB centers?
England	C+	Solid core of advocates, fun bridleways	Limited singletrack access, widespread bike bans?
Northern Ireland	C	Recent agreement promises improved Belfast access	Nothing on the ground...yet?
AUSTRALIA	B	MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURISM BEGINS TO BLOSSOM	NEED MORE GRASSROOTS CLUBS
MEXICO	C	TWO NEW IMBA REPS IN 2004	CROWDS, CRIME CLOUD MEXICO CITY TRAILS

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Top Dog in U.S.A

WEST VIRGINIA: A
Governor & tourism chief support MTB
For the first time, a state east of the Mississippi takes top honors in the IMBA Report Card. West Virginia has everything a mountain biker could want: endless miles of backcountry singletrack, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and a culture of avid riders who live and breathe the sport. The West Virginia Mountain Biking Association has emerged as one of the top mountain bike advocacy groups in the nation, balancing trailwork, advocacy, riding and racing to appeal to a broad spectrum of cyclists. But what really sets West Virginia apart from the pack is the support of government agencies like the state tourism department and governor's office. This support - combined with great trails and advocates - has earned West Virginia the top billing in the 2004 IMBA Report Card.

Global Superstar

BRITISH COLUMBIA: A
Whistler model freeride area, kids, clubs, trails
A repeat champ from last year, British Columbia managed to hold off strong pushes from Scotland, Wales and the Yukon to retain the Global Superstar award. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Whistler's getting a lot of accolades. The ski area's freeride park, featuring the legendary A-line and Dirt Merchant, is the benchmark for lift accessed mountain biking. Resorts across North America are lining up for ways to replicate the success - and potential profit. B.C. advocates are taking a lead role on improving access for riders worldwide, hosting the World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver this summer. Finally, B.C. clubs do more than anyone to ensure the future of our sport by getting kids - sometimes by the thousands - on mountain bikes.

People's Choice

SCOTLAND: A-
3.88 average GPA, 95% say access improving
The People's Choice Award highlights the location that IMBA members choose as the best place for mountain biking and access. This year's winner, Scotland, received the highest overall score based on a combination of total votes, overall grade and trends from the online poll. Simply put, Scotland is one of the hottest places to ride in the world. The government-funded Seven Stanes Project has triggered the creation of seven cutting-edge trail centers in southern Scotland. These fast-developing riding hubs offer rental bikes, bike service, parts, clothing, accessories, food, drinks and accomodations. Scotland also features other burgening destinations including internationally acclaimed race host city Fort William, and countless other amazing places to explore throughout the Scottish Highlands.

2005 Alert

NEW JERSEY: C-
Crowded trails = conflict, strong opponents
New Jersey received the lowest grade in this year's Report Card. Crowded trails, well-publicized user conflicts, throngs from New York City, liability, reluctant land mangers, limited public lands, and wellorganized anti-cycling zealots all handcuff mountain biking progress. Dedicated biking advocates and passionate clubs work hard to overcome these challenges, and there are pockets of exceptional riding. Unfortunately, it is difficult to unify and mobilize mountain bikers in this sprawling suburban state. To face these challenges, mountain bikers must rally behind the work of their local clubs and JORBA (www.jorba.org) and government officials must open their doors. In the coming year IMBA looks forward to focusing new energy and resources on this challenging situation.

ADVOCACY GROUPS ON THE MOVE

1. MORE (VA, MD, DC)
2. BBTC (Seattle)
3. Ohio Mountain Bike Association
4. Minnesota Off Road Cyclists
5. Hoosier Mtn Bike Assn (IN)

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE: ONLINE POLL WINNERS

1. Scotland
2. Missouri
3. Michigan
4. New Jersey
5. Wales

BEST OVERALL TRAILS

1. Utah
2. Idaho
3. British Columbia
4. Colorado
5. Scotland

REGIONAL RANKINGS BY GPA

1. Rocky Mountains - 3.30
2. International - 2.97
3. Midwest - 2.90
4. Pacific - 2.90
5. Southeast - 2.75
6. Northeast - 2.68

MOST THREATENED

1. California
2. Vermont
3. Oregon
4. Maryland
5. Idaho

MOST IMPROVED IN 2004

1. Indiana
2. Maryland
3. Texas
4. Ontario
5. Illinois