SDMBA Renews Partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association

SAN DIEGO and BOULDER, CO – Sept. 12, 2017 – The San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA), California’s largest mountain biking advocacy organization, today announced it is renewing its chapter partnership with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), ensuring riders around Southern California have strong local and national representation in ongoing efforts to increase trail access for mountain bikers.

SDMBA, which has more than 1,100 members and IMBA, which has 35,000 members, have worked together to update their four-year old joint-partnership agreement to benefit mountain bikers in Southern California. Cyclists joining SDMBA will continue as dual members with IMBA, with both organizations sharing membership revenue through the term of the agreement, helping mountain bikers improve their advocacy efforts on a statewide and national level through one easy $39 membership.

“With more trails being built in San Diego and California and mountain bike access increasing, we are pleased to continue our strong partnership as an IMBA chapter,” said Kevin Loomis, president of SDMBA. “As many know, this decision was exhaustively explored by both sides, and we firmly believe we are at the tipping point where mountain bikers finally have the voice and organization to make true change. By all of us working together, we can make San Diego a year-round mountain biking destination while helping improve trail access for riders around the state and country.”

“SDMBA has been one of our strongest IMBA chapters and we’re happy to have their continued support and input,” said Dave Wiens, IMBA Executive Director. “SDMBA is a leading voice in California mountain biking, and we look forward to continuing to drive access and advocacy work together.”

SDMBA and IMBA first offered dual-members in 2013, with membership revenues shared between both organizations. This renewed agreement means membership will continue to receive basic annual dual membership to SDMBA/IMBA starting at only $39. Key benefits of the new agreement include:

  • Improved California advocacy efforts directed by local California chapters – IMBA has committed substantial resources to advance mountain biking legislatively with input from California mountain bike chapters and other trail advocacy groups. This effort is being led by IMBA’s Laurel Harkness, who recently conducted the state's first legislative day in Sacramento, uniting trail advocates with legislators and addressing trail access issues across the state. SDMBA is in talks with IMBA and other chapters to bring more input and oversight of this regional advocacy to California chapters.

  • More membership dollars staying local — Between increased revenue share and the additional California resources mentioned above, IMBA invests a larger share of all California membership dollars in California trails and advocacy than ever before. 

  • Greater transparency and chapter representation with IMBA – Going forward, IMBA will offer greater transparency in its finances with chapter presidents. IMBA’s board will be more accessible to chapter leaders and IMBA staff will be collaborating with chapters for greater input, enhancing regional input in the operations of the national organization.

With more membership dues remaining within San Diego and California, SDMBA will invest these funds for trail for projects such as new trail at Black Mountain and the organization’s biggest plan to date – proposing a large trail system with a combination of purpose-built mountain bike and multi-use trails in Pamo Valley. Other efforts include new trails and reroutes in the Mount Laguna Recreation Area, getting Anderson Truck Trail in the USFS system, building a Sweetwater Bike Skills Park, creating 25 miles of new trail at Mission Trails under the master plan update and helping continue to advocate for reasonable and well-managed access to areas such as the Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve, commonly known as Calaveras.

If you have been holding off on your plans to join or renew your membership in SDMBA and IMBA, please consider taking that action now. Your voices matter now more than ever. PLEASE JOIN OR RENEW HERE.

The increased advocacy and voice across California also improves SDMBA’s pool of volunteers for trail work and other events. Please visit the SDMBA website to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

If you wish to make a one-time or monthly recurring contribution directly to SDMBA that will stay 100 percent local, please DONATE HERE.


 

About the San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)

The San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA), founded in 1994, envisions San Diego County as a home and destination with a rich network of sustainable trails providing mountain bikers and other non-motorized trail users with recreational, athletic, and educational opportunities. Our goals include creating and enhancing connected trail systems in both urban and rural settings that allow for recreational opportunities and alternative transportation options. SDMBA manages many trail workdays overseen by our trained experts and utilizing a large group of volunteers with more than 5,000 hours logged in the past year. Learn more at SDMBA.com, where you can subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and @SDMBA on Twitter.

About the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational association established in 1988. Its mission is to create, enhance and protect great places to ride mountain bikes. Learn more at imba.com.

 

SDMBA contact:

Kevin Loomis

President@sdmba.com

Cell: 619.838.4781

 

IMBA contact

Eleanor Blick

Communications Manager
eleanor.blick@imba.com

720.900.4622