IMBA, the International Mountain Bike Association was initially formed in the USA in 1988 to resolve trail closure issues in California. However, it was rapidly realised that similar situations were being met throughout the USA and in many other countries, and that an international effort was required. Today IMBA has over 30,000 worldwide members and over 600 affiliated cycle clubs, cycle shops and corporate partners which it supports from its base in Colorado.

Why IMBA UK?

The rapid growth in the popularity of mountain bike recreation in the UK has led to an increasing need for a wide range of trails and riding opportunities. The partnership developed with the Forestry Commission has provided high quality MTB trails in Wales and Scotland, with an increasing commitment in England. IMBA UK aims to provide a focus for UK mountain bikers to work with public and private land and trail managers by:

• Building and supporting a strong and effective volunteer MTB network.
• Working with the Forestry Commission and other landowners to build new trails.
• Developing positive relationships with government agencies and Local Authorities.
• Cultivating partnerships with cycle clubs, cycle shops and the cycle industry.
• Working with other UK cycle organisations to maximise benefits for mountainbikers.

A successful IMBA UK will ensure that we have a strong and effective voice to enable us to build new trails, help maintain the existing network, and to defend our recreation against trail closures or restrictions.

Why Join IMBA UK?

We all ride our mountain bikes to relish the buzz of a tough outing, to enjoy a relaxed ride with friends & family, or to just soak up the countryside atmosphere. Few of us expected to go trail building, or to campaign to defend trails or work to open new ones. But to get the network we all want, that is just what we have to do.

IMBA UK aims to help you to help this to happen by providing a supportive structure which will allow us to speak more effectively with government, local councils and land managers, and at the same time provide support to share problems and circulate best practice between members.

IMBA UK is a fully democratic organisation working for its members. But to be effective we need to have a strong membership base which truly reflects the needs of the UK mountainbiker. So the UK needs an IMBA UK – and IMBA UK needs you!

Members receive monthly news updates by email, plus occasional hard-copy publications such as the Members Handbook.

We hope to build a variety of membership benefits.  IMBA-UK members can already access the CTC individual third party liability cover as follows:

• Third Party Insurance level of £5m
• Accidental injury to any person (except an employee of the cyclist)
• Accidental damage to property including some recompense for legal fees
• Valid anywhere in the world except USA and Canada
• Includes riding for recreation and professional (but not trade) purposes
• Underwritten by Norwich Union and covers: A £250 excess for accidental damage claims, but none on injury claims. Only valid for named members of clubs affiliated to the CTC. Claims are handled by the CTC.
• Annual premiums apply as detailed.

The IMBA UK website shop also offers member discounts on various publications.

Don’t we have enough cycling organisations already?

We are extremely fortunate in having many highly dedicated UK national cycling bodies, all of which provide excellent services in their own fields of expertise. However, we are convinced that in order to provide a really effective voice for mountain bike recreation it is important to bring the focus which a dedicated organisation can provide.

We do fully recognise the strengths of established cycling organisations and will be looking for ways of forging partnerships with them to the benefit of us all.