It's that time of year again. Time to let the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) know how you grade your area in terms of mountain bike access and availability. Each year IMBA compiles the results of it's survey and produces a report card on the health of mountain biking in the U.S. and around the world. (Here's last year's report card.)
While the survey isn't exactly scientific, it is still useful as a tool for regional bike associations to enter conversations with park authorities and political entities regarding the benefits of mountain biking. If you are active in mountain bike advocacy, IMBA offers five tips to leverage your state's grade for better access:
- 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.
- 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.
- Get the word out. Make sure your state and local media get the news of your new Report Card grade. Customize the sample press release (below) for your state.
- 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.
- Grade specific areas of your state. Breaking down your riding areas and grading them allows you to focus attention on places that need work.
Go and vote for 2006...and be honest!
Oh...and let me know what factors you use to make your grade, either good or bad. The survey instrument is so simple (probably a good thing) that I am curious what causes people to vote one way or the other.
