Building Sustainable Mountain Biking Communities

In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, John Cox and Marty Caivano discuss the International Mountain Biking Association(IMBA) Trail Labs program, which will come to Minnesota in 2025! 

The discussion covers mountain biking infrastructure, community engagement, and sustainable trail development.

Key Points:

• IMBA's history dating back to the late 1980s in California
• Overview of the Trail Labs program, which started in 2018 in Bentonville, Arkansas
• Announcement of new Trail Labs locations in Minnesota (Winona and Duluth)
• Discussion of different program components: 
  • Trail Labs Foundations
  • Trail Care Schools
  • Trail Management Schools
  • Trail Accelerator Workshops

Notable Discussion Topics:

• The shift in community attitudes toward mountain biking infrastructure
• Importance of integrating trails with city centers and main streets
• Three pillars of trail sustainability: environmental, social, and economic
• Challenges of increased trail usage and user management
• Impact of e-bikes on trail design and management
• Growing influence of youth mountain biking through NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association)

Featured Guests:

• John Cox - Education Manager, IMBA
• Marty Caivano - Community Engagement Manager, IMBA

For more information on the program: https://www.imba.com/trail-labs 

Credits:
Producers: Randolph Briley
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake