IMBA & the Sustainable Trail Coalition Working to Unite the Mountain Biking Community
The ongoing discussion of trail access and advocacy has been a heated one no doubt. Several open letters from prominent people and groups throughout the mountain biking world have been lobbed out into the internet world over the last six months. Forums, comment sections, and social media feeds have been filled with educated and uneducated bantering for one side or another, driving a wedge into the mountain biking community.
It’s been interesting to follow with the discussions and read about who said what about what side. It was clear from the start, however, that both IMBA and the STC are necessary to gain and maintain trail access through advocacy on many levels, including local relationships through political lobbying at higher levels.
Today’s joint statement by IMBA and the STC should bring more people together to work towards the best interest of all mountain bikers (and to battle the impending struggle with ebike access…)
IMBA/STC Discussions on Mountain Bike Radio
Trail Cast has covered some of the ongoing discussion and host, Drew, has interviewed some people over the last few months, including the following:
1. Ashley Korenblat – March 10, 2016. Ashley wrote a guest editorial on Mtbr.com titled “Say no to the Sustainable Trails Coalition” in December and discusses her stance against the STC.
2. Todd McMahon – April 12, 2016. Todd is a hiking advocate who shares his opinions on mountain bike access.
3. David Simon – May 1, 2016. David is a Sustainable Trails Coalition Board Member and shares his viewpoints on a variety of topics.
IMBA’s Press Release
From IMBA’s website: “After productive discussions, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) have released a joint statement urging mountain bikers to work together to support trail stewardship and improved mountain bike access. While the two organizations remain distinct, with different approaches to bicycle access in federally managed Wilderness areas, the joint statement makes it clear that there is great respect between the two groups.”
You can read the rest of the press release HERE.
IMBA/STC Joint Statement
The actual joint statement confirming their stance can be found HERE.
Two key quotes from this statement that should resonate with you are:
– “Differences in policy, strategy and tactics between IMBA and STC are not differences in principle,” and
– “IMBA and STC jointly ask everyone who participates in trail stewardship and the sport of mountain biking to please help maintain a positive, united front. IMBA and STC both believe that public or online denunciations or defamatory comments in public or social media of either organization are generally unhelpful and are often inaccurate and misinformed.”
If you have any questions about this post or anything about Mountain Bike Radio, please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected].
Thanks for reading,
Ben
