July 21, 2026 — A new mountain bike trail is coming to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, built for the youth riders who will train on it and the community that will ride alongside them. It's the first project of its kind: built by young riders' own coaches and clubs, backed by three of mountain biking's largest advocacy organizations, and designed from day one to repeat in towns across the country.

"Our coaches, our clubs, and our local partners all show up for each other. That's exactly why Elizabethtown is ready for this, " said Denile Hill, Kentucky League Director for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). “Support like this is what turns an idea into a real, finished trail that brings mental, social, physical, and economic benefits to the community.”

The Elizabethtown project is the first of two trail systems being developed through a new partnership between NICA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and PeopleForBikes, with funding support from SRAM.

Each project in the partnership moves a community through the same process: selecting a location, securing land use, building local support, and completing a professional trail concept design ready for construction. NICA leads the search for project locations and trains local coaches and student-athletes in trail advocacy. IMBA experts then coach local NICA leaders one-to-one, providing advice on community engagement and how to establish direction for a project that gains momentum and achieves success. PeopleForBikes connects each project to existing community bike initiatives and supports advocacy training.

"Trail proximity and access directly impacts our ability to get more kids and families on bikes," said NICA President Amanda Carey. "When trails are closer to home and closer to schools, we see greater participation and faster growth of teams. This directly translates to more kids outside, off screens, and participating in a fun and healthy activity that they can do for the rest of their lives."

"IMBA's mission is in part to create places to ride mountain bikes, especially where kids need the experience. It's been a joy for IMBA to discover this community's need and to coach them for three years on the trail development process" said Kent McNeill, IMBA President. “Partnering IMBA's professional community engagement and planning support with NICA, SRAM, and PeopleForBikes helps move the project forward and creates another model that can be replicated in more places for more kids.”

The 2026 Kentucky project will serve as a pilot, with lessons learned shaping the 2027 project. The long-term vision is bigger than two trail systems: the model for collaboration is intentionally designed so that NICA leagues and communities across the country can repeat it, bringing the opportunity to ride to more kids and adults across the country.

SRAM is funding the two-year effort with an $80,000 investment, bringing NICA, IMBA, and PeopleForBikes together on a shared project rather than three separate initiatives.

"Kids need great places to ride, and it's a challenge for any single organization to build trails alone," said Rob Cappucci, SRAM Director of Advocacy and Industry Partnerships. "By bringing NICA, IMBA, and PeopleForBikes together on one project, we can leverage each partner's strengths and make every dollar go farther. Our hope is that these first two projects become a model that communities repeat again and again."

About the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) started in Berkeley, California, USA in 2009. It has since expanded across the United States and now, internationally. NICA supports a network of over 26,000 young riders and 16,000 adult coaches annually with its mission to build strong minds, bodies, character, and community through mountain biking. With local teams, dedicated coaches, and world-class events, NICA empowers young people to grow both on and off the bike, improving mental health, and fostering confidence, leadership, lasting friendships – all while leaving a positive impact on the world and gaining a lifelong love of cycling. NICA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists by virtue of generous foundations, donors, and partners.

About the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501c3 nonprofit that creates, enhances, and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. IMBA is focused on Leading With Trails, growing the quantity and quality of mountain bike trail communities, so everyone has access to close-to-home riding and recreation as well as iconic backcountry experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been partnering with communities worldwide on trail advocacy, education, stewardship and sustainable trail solutions.

About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association and a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit, representing more than 340 bicycle industry brands and 1.4 million individual supporters. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe and connected places to ride, advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation, and reduce barriers to welcome more people to bicycling. Our goal: help make the U.S. the best place in the world to ride a bike. Support our work and learn more at peopleforbikes.org.

About SRAM
SRAM is a global leader in innovative, high‑performance bicycle components. From road and gravel to mountain, SRAM designs and engineers complete systems—drivetrain, brakes, suspension, wheels, computers, and pedals—through brands that include SRAM, RockShox, Zipp, Hammerhead, TIME, and Ochain, all focused on seamless integration and rider‑first performance. We support riders by advancing technologies that make bikes faster, simpler, and more capable. SRAM works to help more people discover the power of cycling.

Press kit available for media use

###