Virginia, Scotland Earn Top Marks in 2005 IMBA Report Card The 2005 International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Report Card hails Virginia and Scotland for outstanding mountain biking and successful bicycle advocacy, while pointing to Rhode Island and California as potential trouble spots for 2006. The IMBA report, now in its seventh edition, utilizes input from IMBA's network of reps, online polling from IMBA members and staff evaluations to gauge the riding opportunities and advocacy strength in the United States, Canadian Provinces and nations with significant IMBA activities. Next week, IMBA members will receive the complete Report Card in the organization's internationally distributed newsletter, Trail News. Results are also available online. U.S.: http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/18_4/itn_18_4_report_card.html#US International: http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/18_4/itn_18_4_report_card.html#World Other Categories: http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/18_4/itn_18_4_report_card.html#Summary Virginia received an "A," the highest grade in the 2005 U.S. report. Factors included Virginia's epic backcountry riding, a network of dedicated bike advocates and the innovative negotiating approach that bike advocates used to deal with possible trail closures (due to proposed Wilderness). On the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island was handed a "C minus." Plagued by overcrowded trails and shrinking park budgets, Rhode Island stands out as a worst-case scenario for many of the issues that affect riders in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. IMBA Rep Tina Hopkins reports, "Unless riders are willing to step up their involvement, I'm afraid we'll be boxed out by competing interests." Also requiring serious attention, California was cited as the "Most Endangered" state because of widespread access issues and the need for renewed vigor from bike advocates. West Virginia topped U.S. grades in 2004, but slipped a notch to an "A minus" because proposed Wilderness threatens access to some of the state's best trails. However, West Virginia bike advocates are partnering with other user groups to negotiate boundary adjustments that will protect riding opportunities. New Jersey climbed from the lowest grade in 2004, moving from a "C minus" to a "C," on the strength of improved mountain bike clubs and the addition of new trails in the southern part of the state. Scotland surpassed British Columbia in the Global Superstar category. The Scots earned high praise for the government-sponsored Seven Stanes Project — riding centers with outstanding trails — as well as excellent trails with unmatched scenery. Mountain bicycling is also growing at a healthy rate in Scotland: the Glentress center attracted 250,000 visitors last year, according to the U.K. Forestry Commission. The 2005 IMBA Report Card also features categories for "Advocacy Groups on the Move," "Most Improved States," and a "Ski Resort Honor Roll." State and international results follow. You can also view the full text of the 2005 IMBA Report Card online here: http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/18_4/itn_18_4_report_card.html --- 2005 IMBA REPORT CARD UNITED STATES Virginia A Wilderness plan a model for the nation/Trails in Jefferson NF still not protected West Virginia A- Pro-bike government leaders/Battles over Monongahela loom Utah A- Epic riding everywhere/Moab needs more singletrack Arizona A- Parks adding more shared-use trails/Fantasy Island scare Colorado A- Solid advocacy scene gets even better/Wilderness proposals circling Arkansas B+ Syllamo earns Epic status/Untapped potential in the south Idaho B+ Stunning trails, without crowds/Rider apathy about Wilderness Bill Michigan B+ Freeride parks approved/Little growth in membership New Mexico B+ Riders partner with government agencies/ATVers stomping trails Alaska B+ Epic trails, dedicated riders/MTB tourism potential untapped Washington B+ Bellingham freeride successes/Seattle's best trails aren't authorized Texas B+ Clubs offer full calendar of events/Presidential rides too fast for journalists New Hampshire B+ Epic riding in North Conway/Trails need repair, small membership base South Dakota B+ Southwest boasts sweet trails/Not enough locals to keep trails buff Massachusetts B+ Diverse riding opportunities/Vietnam area taking fire on liability Maryland B+ Governor approves $75,000 trail grant/Western areas underutilized Missouri B+ Alliances with recreation groups grow/Limitless potential, limited labor Georgia B+ SORBA expands partnerships and trails/Infinite spiral of Atlanta's beltways Wyoming B Jackson trail network expanding/Remote trails need maintenance Wisconsin B New singletrack in Chequamegon/Milwaukee's best trails unauthorized Tennessee B Epic Chattanooga singletrack/Potential for western trails untapped North Carolina B Raleigh-Durham gains SORBA chapter/Developers threaten urban trails North Dakota B Air Force partnership creating trails/Few biking organizations Oregon B Inspired trailbuilding/All eyes on Mount Hood Wilderness Oklahoma B Crowd-free trails/Wind whipping across plains, OEF lawsuit Minnesota B MORC a model of efficiency/Biking second fiddle to ice fishing Kentucky B Race community active in trailbuilding/Cave Run area needs maintenance New York B Big Apple gets some legal riding/State Parks don't realize their potential Ohio B Awesome network of advocates/Cleveland needs more trails Nevada B- Several trails under development/More wide paths than singletrack South Carolina B- USFS new trails/Segment of Palmetto trail closed to bikes Montana B- Partnership with BLM in Missoula/Relations with USFS spotty Pennsylvania B- State parks support riding/Eastern trails see heavy traffic Kansas B- New trails open near capital/Trail-based recreation undervalued California B- Bike industry becoming advocates/More advocates needed; Wilderness threats Nebraska B- Hardcore riders, some technical trails/Few bikers, little clout Vermont B- Strong advocacy network Green Mt./NF yet to embrace bikes Alabama C+ North has great potential /Advocates need more support Illinois C+ Chicagoland making progress/Membership levels are stagnate Florida C+ Hurricane damage repaired in short order/Lawsuits stifle creative trailbuilding Maine C+ Nordic centers adding MTB/Not enough volunteers to maintain trails Iowa C+ Creative trailbuilders at work/Hook-and-bullet emphasis in Rec departments Delaware C+ State parks warm to riding/Little public land available Indiana C+ $150,000 RTP grant to HMBA/Indy metro area offers few trails Mississippi C+ Pockets of great trails/MTBers have no public voice Louisiana C Hurricane crisis unites advocates/Damage may take years to repair Hawaii C Gorgeous scenery, burly singletrack/Locals content to hang loose New Jersey C Club scene strengthening/Key resources still closed to bikes Connecticut C Good race scene, demanding trails/Mountain bikers need to build clout Rhode Island C- Experienced advocates/Parks overrun, prospects for new trails scarce INTERNATIONAL REPORT CARD AUSTRALIA B Trail systems improving/Need more clubs and political clout CANADA A- IMBA Canada gaining members/East needs more advocacy organizations Alberta B+ Trails near population centers/Nascent club scene British Columbia A Great riding everywhere/Unauthorized trails worrisome Manitoba C+ New Rep in Winnipeg/Urban centers need trails Ontario B All styles of riding represented/Riders apathetic about trailwork Saskatchewan B- Regina trails a great addition/More trails needed Quebec C- Downhill flourishing, many strong riders/Clubs need more members to get noticed MEXICO C+ Clubs strengthening/Bike culture only exists in pockets ISRAEL B Epic national trail/Few riders ITALY B World-class freeriding areas/Many regions lack trails UNITED KINGDOM B+ Increasing number of affiliated clubs/Need more individual members Scotland A Bike-friendly Forestry department/Frequent rain tough on trails Wales B Bike tourism on the rise/Forestry department says it lacks funds for repairs England B Access slowly increasing/150,000 miles of walking trails still closed to bikes NORTHERN IRELAND C Strong mountain bike clubs in Belfast/Lacks purpose-built trails UNITED STATES A- National Parks Service partners with IMBA/Overcrowding near urban centers SPECIAL CATEGORIES Advocacy Groups On The Move 1. Jersey Action Riders: Teamed with local REI on Wharton State Forest project. 2. SIMBS (CANADA): South Island MTB Society has raised over $30k for trails. 3. Redding MTB Club: Huge celebration of Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. 4. SORBA-TN: Tennessee advocates are a political force. 5. ORMBA: Oregon advocates team for innovative Wilderness strategy. Most Improved In 2005 1. New Jersey: Southern NJ sees new partnerships, new trails. 2. Georgia: SORBA chapters making big strides. 3. South Carolina: Revitalized relationship with Forest Service. 4. Arkansas: Perhaps the best trails in the Southeast. 5. Illinois: Chicagoland trail access improving. Ski Resort Honor Roll 1. Whistler, CANADA: Model facility for lift-serviced riding. 2. Deer Valley, UT: Brilliant cross-country and downhill trails. 3. Tamarack, ID: IMBA's Trail Solutions develops state-of-the-art trail network. 4. Snowshoe, WV: Intrawest building Whistler of the East. 5. Winter Park, CO: Great variety of trails, including beginner-friendly options. |
