Big news for WORBA, IMBA and the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
March 1st, 2012The Bike Fed has formed a unique partnership with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), designed to significantly enhance mountain bike opportunities across Wisconsin. Beginning March 1st, 2012, all IMBA members in Wisconsin will share a joint membership in the Bike Fed.
The Bike Fed will expand its statewide advocacy efforts by taking a more active role on mountain bike issues, including closer work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies. IMBA will support the Bike Fed’s work, and will help mountain bike organizations in Wisconsin expand their memberships and effectiveness.
“IMBA’s knowledge of sustainable trails and best practices for mountain bike management — combined with the Bike Fed’s influence in the state capitol and respected leadership across the state — has the potential to accelerate the changes that Wisconsin mountain bikers have hoped to see,” said Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s executive director.
The Bike Fed/IMBA partnership is being further enhanced by the recent alignment between the Bike Fed and the Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association (WORBA). Beginning March 1st, 2012, WORBA will become an organized campaign of the Bike Fed. We will work to better organize state mountain biking interests and provide better technical support of local initiatives. For many years WORBA has been the statewide leader in mountain biking. The Bike Fed and the Wisconsin off-road community owe a huge debt of gratitude to WORBA, in particular the leadership of John Siegert, Harold Schmidt, Marty Weigel and all of those people who have been actively involved through the years.
The Bike Fed and state mountain biking leaders will help promote IMBA’s thriving Chapter Program to local mountain bike clubs. IMBA’s Chapter Program lends administrative support; help with maintaining or achieving tax-exempt 501(c) (3) status and assistance from professional IMBA staff. Several Wisconsin clubs have already engaged with IMBA’s Chapter Program, including Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA), Capital Off-Road Pathfinders (CORP), Kinnickinnic Off-Road Cyclists (KORC) and Metro Mountain Bikers.
I have no doubt that Wisconsin mountain bikers will benefit from this partnership. IMBA and the Bike Fed are committed to working together to bring improved resources and strong leadership that will advance mountain bike access and opportunities — the goal is to bring world-class trails to riders across the Wisconsin.
