International Mountain Bicycling Association
The International Mountain Bicycling Association ( IMBA ) is a non-profit organization. The establishment, improvement and maintenance of driving opportunities and path networks for mountain bikes is supported by the IMBA worldwide.
history
The IMBA was founded in 1988 by five mountain bike clubs in California to jointly take action against extensive road closures. The founding associations were:
- Bicycle Trails Council of Marin
- Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay
- Concerned Off Road Bicyclists Association
- Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers
- Sacramento Rough Riders
Gibson Anderson of Sacramento was elected the first IMBA board of directors. Tim Blumenthal, a former IMBA board member and cycling journalist, was appointed to the IMBA board in 1993. When Blumenthal began its work, the organization had roughly 1200 individual members and around 60 affiliated associations. The headquarters were moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1994.
During the late 1990s, IMBA membership grew in Canada, Europe, and Australia. In 1997 an international conference took place in Switzerland. Awareness campaigns such as the “Trail Care Crews” - instructions on how and where paths for MTB can be laid out, supported by an automobile manufacturer - helped to extend the reach of the IMBA. At the end of 1999, IMBA already had more than 28,000 individual members, 14 employees and a budget of 1.2 million US dollars.
In 2006 the membership grew to 32,000, with over 600 affiliated clubs, local groups and 26 employees. The international programs, including IMBA Canada, continue to grow. In the US, the IMBA has negotiated partnership agreements with most state agriculture and forestry agencies. The organization is perceived as the leading source of information on local recreation in the off-road sector.
Associated organizations
- Australia:
- Mountain Bike Australia
- Europe:
- Italy
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Spain
- United Kingdom:
- North America
- Canada
- United States:
- Bicycle Trails Council of Marin
- Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay
- Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association (JORBA)
- Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA)
- Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC)
- MORCA :: Monterey Off Road Cycling Association
- Mountain Trails Foundation :: Park City, Utah
- ROMP :: Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers
- Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA)