Just a week after launching the Public Lands Initative, the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) said companies have pledged  $587,000 for the project.


“This is going to make a big difference for mountain bikers,” said Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s executive director. “The Public Lands Initiative will bring new resources to our advocates that they sorely need. It will enable IMBA to offer things like professional training sessions, stronger legal resources and enhanced communications tools. The challenges are daunting. Yet we are focused on the opportunities before us: the conservation and stewardship of our public lands, and reconnecting kids and their families with nature through a healthy, low-impact activity.”

 

The intiative got off to a strong at the Bicycle Leadership Conference  last week when Trek Bicylcle CEO John Burke, Specialized Bicycle CEO Mike Sinyard and Bikes Belong’s Tim Blumenthal pledged $300,000. Since then the following companies have pledged donations:


  • Advanced Sports International/Fuji

  • Aero Tech Designs Cyclewear

  • B & L Bikeshop

  • Bicycle Dealer magazine

  • Bicycle Retailer & Industry News magazine

  • Bikes Belong Coalition

  • CamelBak

  • Campagnolo/Fulcrum

  • CatEye

  • DeFeet

  • Feedback Sports

  • FOX Racing Shox

  • GORE Bike Wear/GORE RideOn Cable Systems

  • Haro Bikes

  • Hayes Disc Brake

  • Hydrapak

  • Interbike

  • Palo Alto Bicycles

  • Park Tool

  • Pedros

  • Performance Bicycle

  • Polar Bottle

  • Primal Wear

  • Purely Custom Cycling

  • Quality Bicycle Parts (QBP)

  • Raleigh USA

  • Sidi America

  • Skip Hess

  • SOAR Communications

  • SRAM

  • The Hawley Company

  • The Wellness Agency

  • Thule

  • Vitesse Cycle Shop

  • Wheel & Sprocket

  • Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB)

Success is Achievable


IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative offers new resources to promote a bicycle-friendly approach toward our nations legacy of public lands protection. The strategic elements of the campaign include:


  • Identify high-priority trails across the nation and keep them open to mountain bikes

  • Provide professional training sessions, enhanced communication tools and facilitated negotiations with stakeholder groups

  • Track management plans and promote pro-bicycle policies at the local, state and federal levels

  • Champion public land protection campaigns to protect our trails from development and resource extraction and preserve continued bicycle use

  • Build and strengthen multi-user outdoor recreation coalitions

  • Unite the bicycle and outdoor industry, retailers and IMBA clubs behind key land protection campaigns

IMBA Welcomes New Supporters


The Public Lands Initiative targets critical campaigns where public lands policies, legislation or resource extraction could close important trails to bicycles. The program will bolster advocate trainings, communications tools and other resources. Interested individuals and companies can join in support of the Public Lands Initiative online.


Companies interested in learning more about the Public Lands Initiative, IMBA Membership or IMBA’s work, please contact Rich Cook, development director, by phone (303-545-9011 ext. 104) or email: rich.cook@imba.com