What Trail Development Resources and Guidance Does IMBA Offer?

Updated

IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) offers free online trail development resources, a structured community trail development process, educational programs and workshops, and partnership options through IMBA Trail Solutions and local member organizations. These resources are aimed at "trail champions"—people working to create, enhance, or protect mountain bike trails close to home. Most guidance is presented as free and easy-to-access, though specific program costs and membership requirements are not detailed on the site.

Free Online Trail Development Resources

IMBA's Resource Hub provides free, easy-to-access information for trail champions. According to IMBA, these online resources cover trail development tips and the broader trail development process. This is the most accessible starting point if you are exploring how to bring a trail project to your community—no partnership or membership is required to read the material.

The Trail Development Process: From Vision to Stewardship

IMBA describes trail development as a continuum, and it measures community progress through defined statuses. Understanding these stages helps you locate where your community stands and what to work on next.

Community Status What It Signals
Engaged Community is involved in the trail development process through education and advocacy
Committed Community is committed to trails through planning and funding
Created Community has created its vision for trails close to home
Featured Recognized designation shown on IMBA's community listings

IMBA's Trail Guide covers this process end to end—from setting the initial community vision to ongoing trail stewardship. You can search IMBA's designations to see communities at each status and use them as models.

Programs, Workshops, and Advocacy Tools

IMBA's educational offerings include programs and workshops covering professional trail programs, advocacy tools, and trail fundraisers. These are suited to groups that have moved past initial interest and want structured training or fundraising support. The site presents these as part of its programs and workshops section, alongside advocacy resources.

Partnership Options: Trail Solutions and Local Member Organizations

If your project needs professional help, IMBA offers two main pathways:

  • IMBA Trail Solutions — Partner with IMBA professionals to assess, plan, design, and build your trail vision. IMBA states that partnering adds decades of international experience in trail advocacy, education, solutions, and stewardship.
  • Local Member Organizations — IMBA Local is a grassroots network of local trail organizations that helps create and sustain thriving trail communities. You can search for your local member organization; these groups help move community trail visions forward and steward local trails.

Choosing Between the Two

Your Situation Better Starting Point
You have a trail vision but need assessment, planning, design, or construction expertise IMBA Trail Solutions
You want to join or organize local riders and stewards, or find existing local advocacy IMBA Local member organization search
You are still building community support and need free guidance Resource Hub and Trail Guide

How to Get Started

  1. Read the free resources first. Use the Resource Hub and Trail Guide to understand the development process and assess your community's status (Engaged, Committed, or Created).
  2. Find your local member organization. Search IMBA Local to connect with existing groups that steward trails near you.
  3. Contact Trail Solutions if you need professional services. Use the "Let's Talk Trails" pathway described on the site to discuss assessment, planning, design, and building.
  4. Stay informed. IMBA offers a newsletter signup for trail and mountain bike advocacy news; the signup form asks for an email address and a 5-digit ZIP code.

A practical example: a group of riders in a town with no formal trail plan would first read the Trail Guide, confirm their community is at the "Engaged" stage, search for a nearby IMBA Local organization for mentorship, and only then approach Trail Solutions once a vision and community support exist.

Note that the site does not publish pricing for Trail Solutions partnerships or membership, so contact IMBA directly for those details.