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2004 IMBA Report Card

IMBA Trail News
Volume 17, Number 5
Winter 2004

U.S. Mountain Bike Access Report Card

International Mountain Bike Access Report Card

Analysis and Other Rankings

Tips to Leverage Your State's Grade for Better Access

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

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

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

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