IMBA Singletrack Update - February 2006

In this update:

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* NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PILOT PROGRAMS GAIN STEAM, MEDIA ATTENTION
* IRISH RIDERS RALLY FOR TRAIL ACCESS
* HAVE LAWSUITS AFFECTED YOUR TRAILS?
* IMBA AND SPECIALIZED KICK-START 2006 "CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN"
* NEW STUDY POINTS TO NEED FOR URBAN FREERIDE AREAS
* CLASSIC TRAILBUILDING BOOK REVAMPED
* JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25
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* NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PILOT PROGRAMS GAIN STEAM, MEDIA ATTENTION
IMBA's partnership agreement with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has
advanced to the point where pilot mountain biking programs in NPS units are
underway. National and regional media outlets are picking up on the story. A
few critical voices have surfaced, but most of the attention has been
positive; here's a good example from Michigan's Grand Rapids Press:
http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1138369529292
520.xml&coll=6

* IRISH RIDERS RALLY FOR TRAIL ACCESS
Irish riders have rallied after Coillte, the Irish state forestry service,
recently decided to enact bylaws to prevent mountain biking on much of its
land. The decision spurred the formation of a number of new IMBA
affiliations in Ireland to fight the ban. In Jamuary, the clubs announced
the formation of Mountain Biking Ireland.
http://www.irishcycling.com/2004/news/art_1501.shtml

* HAVE LAWSUITS AFFECTED YOUR TRAILS?
Has there been a trail-related lawsuit in your area? IMBA is looking for
details on mountain biking lawsuits both past and present. Even if the case
was settled out of court, we'd like to hear about it. Send details to
pete@....

Read about an Oklahoma club's litigation woes here:
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_26_oef_lawsuit.html

* IMBA AND SPECIALIZED KICK-START 2006 "CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN"
IMBA and Specialized, close partners since IMBA's founding in 1988, are
pleased to announce a new "California Campaign" initiative, and the opening
of a California IMBA office underwritten by Specialized. Staffing the office
will be Tom Ward, formerly the California State Parks Recreation Manager.
Ward worked in the California State Parks system for 16 years, experience
that will help him identify new mountain bike trails throughout the state.
Read more:
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/01_06/01_30_california.html

* NEW STUDY POINTS TO NEED FOR URBAN FREERIDE AREAS
A 2006 report released by the Outdoor Industry Association says that outdoor
enthusiasts increasingly seek activities that can be done close to home.
"The outdoor industry and policy makers must expand focus to include
frontcountry and urban recreation areas," reads the OIA release. IMBA
couldn't agree more. Read an article about urban freeride parks, published
in Parks and Recreation magazine, that outlines IMBA's advice:
http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=3477

IMBA's comprehensive freeriding resource pages can be found here:
http://www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/index.html

* CLASSIC TRAILBUILDING BOOK REVAMPED
Trail docents will be excited to hear that the second edition of "Lightly on
the Land The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual" is now available at
IMBA's online store:
http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/lotl.html

* JOIN OR RENEW WITH IMBA: MEMBERSHIPS BEGIN AT JUST $25
http://www.imba.com/membership/index.html

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