IMBA Europe

28/08/2026

The places we ride are worth protecting - an Advocacy in the spotlight piece by Hans Stoops.

This summer, Europe has experienced record heat, devastating wildfires and increasingly extreme weather. For mountain bikers, the impacts are becoming impossible to ignore. Our trails, forests and mountains are already being affected by a changing climate.

At the Protect Our Winters Sweden Summit, Hans Stoops (Advocacy officer) explored what our community can do to help protect the natural places we depend on. Because while our individual choices matter, meaningful climate action will require collective action and a stronger voice from all of us who value the outdoors.

In our latest article, we look at why mountain bikers should be part of that conversation - and why protecting our trails means looking far beyond the trails themselves.

The summer of 2026 has been a difficult one for many, as wildfires rage across Europe and record heatwaves plague huge swaths of the continent.

24/08/2026

The IMBA Europe Meet-Up is not only for those already working in MTB - it’s also for places taking their first steps and looking to understand how mountain biking can support outdoor recreation, tourism, community development, and sustainable growth.

Connect with experienced professionals, learn from destinations that have already started their journey, discover best practices, and get inspired to create great mountain bike experiences in your own region.

Whether you’re building trails, managing a destination, or simply asking “where do we start?”, this meet-up is for you.

Tickets now on sale via the link below.

https://open.mtbutd.com/event/-OwXdWW48zUnU0nPeowx

20/08/2026

🚵 Save the date!

We're excited to announce that the IMBA Europe Summit 2027 will take place in the Tweed Valley, Scotland, from 22–24 September 2027.

Hosted by Bike Innovation Scotland at the new Caerlee Mill Bike Campus and Trail Lab in Innerleithen, the Summit will bring together the European mountain bike community to explore innovation, sustainability and the future of our trails and destinations.

More details coming soon.

Full press release --> https://www.imba-europe.org/bike-innovation-scotland-to-host-imba-europe-summit-in-the-tweed-valley/

📍 Tweed Valley, Scotland
📅 22–24 September 2027

Photo credit: Ian Linton

18/08/2026

Tickets Now Available!

The IMBA Europe Meet-Up is designed for trail advocates, members, land managers, community officials, recreation professionals, and tourism and economic development staff who want to better understand how trails can deliver recreation, health, and economic benefits to their communities.

Purchase your tickets now through the Mountain Bikers United App. The app allows you to view the full event program, join and track your sessions, share resources and knowledge, and network with other participants.

For more information on how to purchase your tickets, head to the link below or in our bio.

https://www.imba-europe.org/imba-europe-meetup/tickets-2/

14/08/2026

Creating a more inclusive mountain bike community takes collaboration across the sector.

For the past two years, SRAM has supported IMBA Europe and the Women in Mountain Biking (WiMTB) Network by helping more women attend the IMBA Europe Summit. In 2025, ten women received support with their Summit ticket, accommodation and airport transfers, removing a significant financial barrier to participation.

The impact has continued long after the event. Grant recipients have become mentors, contributed to the WiMTB Network, built new international partnerships and strengthened advocacy work in their own countries.

As one participant reflected:

"SRAM's support removed financial and logistical barriers... It changed the experience from 'I attended' to 'I belonged.'"

Supporting participation is about more than attending an event. It is about creating opportunities for people to connect, contribute and help shape the future of mountain biking.

Read the full story below.

Creating a more diverse and representative mountain bike community requires commitment from across the sector. Advocacy organizations, trail associations, event organizers, and industry partners all have a role to play in reducing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for people to co...

28/07/2026

Trail advocacy is powered by passionate people who go above and beyond for their communities🙌

Meet Radu Papiu, our Trail Advocate of the Year, whose dedication, leadership, and commitment to sustainable trails are helping create a stronger future for mountain biking. His story is a reminder that every great trail has someone behind it who cares enough to protect, maintain, and improve it.

Read Radu's story and celebrate the people who make riding possible. 👇

https://www.takecareofyourtrails.com/meet-radu-papiu-winner-of-trail-advocate-of-the-year

Take Care of Your Trails is proud to announce Radu Papiu of Trailsilvania as the winner of the Trail Advocate of the Year, in recognition of his tireless contributions to trail building, community organizing, and sustainable mountain bike advocacy in Romania. The award comes with a selection of Trai...

23/07/2026

A rider's first trail experience can make all the difference.

Beginner trails aren't just "easy" trails-they're where confidence is built, skills are developed, and a lifelong passion for mountain biking begins. When designed well, they create welcoming experiences that encourage more people to keep riding and become part of our trail communities.

A great example of this is Tarland Trails, winner of the 2025 Trail Accessibility Award, supported by Shimano as part of the Take Care of Your Trails campaign. Their commitment to creating welcoming, accessible trails demonstrates how thoughtful trail design can open mountain biking to more people and strengthen local communities.

🙏A big thank you and shout-out to Shimano for supporting this award!



Read the article:

At Drummy Woods, something important has happened. Not a brand-new trail center or a headline-grabbing build, but something quieter and, in many ways, more meaningful. The kind of project that changes how people start mountain biking. That’s why c was named the 2025 winner of the IMBA Europe Trail...

21/07/2026

Great to see our member organization IMBA Italia bringing together such a strong line-up of speakers for the IMBA Italia Gathering 2026.

Loren Rowney will be joining the program on behalf of IMBA Europe, sharing European perspectives on trail development, advocacy, and sustainable mountain biking.

If you're part of the IMBA Europe network-or simply interested in developing better trails and stronger mountain bike communities-we encourage you to join this fantastic event. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

IMBA Italia

Riserva il tuo posto alla conferenza annuale IMBA Italia, Nimis (UD) è pronta ad accogliere gli appassionati di MTB e sentieri nel nel cuore delle Valli del Torre, in Friuli il 24/25 ottobre. Due giorni di conferenza, networking, workshop sul campo ed escursioni in MTB.

14/07/2026

Meet Maurizio Rossi 🛠️

From building local trails with North n Line to shaping the future of trail development in Italy, Maurizio has spent years investing in his community.

Today, we're proud to announce him as the first-ever recipient of the Trail Advancement Award.

The award includes a €3,000 scholarship and a place in the Trail Building Management program at Fagskolen Viken, made possible through H+I Adventures ' 1% for the Planet support.

North n Line was recognized as our Outstanding Local Trail Crew in 2022, and Maurizio's journey is a great example of how local trail advocacy can create lasting impact.

Congratulations, Maurizio! 👏 Full article below!
https://www.imba-europe.org/trail-advancement-award

09/07/2026

Scotland Named Best Nation at the 10th Anniversary IMBA Europe Take Care of Your Trails Awards!

Scotland Named Best Nation at the 10th Anniversary IMBA Europe Take Care of Your Trails Awards!

We're delighted to share that Scotland has been recognised as Best Nation as part of the 10th Anniversary Take Care of Your Trails campaign.

It feels particularly special that, in the campaign's milestone year, Scotland has been recognised as the nation where it all began.

This award celebrates the incredible people behind our trails. From dedicated volunteers and local trail associations to land managers, communities and riders, Scotland registered the highest number of dig days on the TCoYT map this year, demonstrating the passion and commitment that exists right across the country.

The award also recognises a decade of progression and innovation, with Scotland continuing to lead the way in sustainable, accessible and innovative mountain biking.

This achievement belongs to everyone who has picked up a tool, attended a dig day, advocated for trails or supported the development of our trail networks.

Thank you to every trail crew, volunteer and community champion helping to care for Scotland's trails.🥰

(Dug up (lol) a 10 year old image to celebrate - Image by Trev Worsey)

https://www.takecareofyourtrails.com/and-the-winners-are-celebrating-10-years-of-take-care-of-your-trails/