About IMBA Canada.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (Canada) is a national not for profit organization that advocates for mountain bike, and trail access across Canada. Founded internationally in 1988, and nationally in 2004, IMBA supports and represents over 35,000 cyclists worldwide in all forms of mountain biking: cross country, downhill, and freeride.
IMBA Canada’s mission is simple: to ensure that Canada is home to a strong and vibrant mountain biking community, riding a world class network of mountain bike trails.
IMBA Worldwide.
IMBA’s worldwide network includes 35,000 individual members, 750 clubs, 600 retailer shops, and 160 corporate members. IMBA members live in all Canadian provinces and in 30 other countries.
Visit our international page for more information on IMBA’s work outside of Canada.
Our History
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) was founded in 1988 by a group of California mountain bike clubs concerned about the closure of trails to cyclists. These pioneering clubs believed that mountain biker-education programs and innovative trail management solutions should be developed and promoted.
While this first wave of threatened trail access was concentrated in California, IMBA’s pioneers saw that crowded trails and trail-user conflict were fast becoming worldwide recreation issues. Over the years, IMBA’s programming, support, and staff of professional advocates have continued to grow – but our mission and core values have remained the same.
Established in 2004, IMBA Canada was the first fully staffed international office of IMBA. Located in Squamish BC, IMBA Canada is directed by Executive Director AJ Strawson and staffed by trail advocates across the country. Our staff seek to develop the following for mountain biking in Canada: convenient access to appealing trails; trailbuilding expertise; a positive image; and political influence.
Our four guiding principles
SPEAK.
IMBA Canada is the voice of mountain biking in Canada. We speak to the benefits of mountain biking, encourage people to take up the sport of mountain biking, advocate on behalf of the mountain bike community, and seek to preserve, enhance and create great trail experiences for mountain bikers.
BUILD.
IMBA Canada understands that the sport of mountain biking, at its core, requires a strong local presence and great trails. Recognizing that riding happens in the community, we encourage and support the development of strong local mountain biking communities that can support the growth and development of the sport at the local level. Recognizing the importance of proper trail construction, we develop and maintain, in conjunction with our IMBA partners around the world, the recognized standards for sustainable trail development and maintenance. Each year, IMBA Canada’s members construct hundreds of kilometers of sustainable, fun singletrack and volunteer more than one million hours to improve trails or open new ones.
RESPECT.
IMBA Canada is dedicated to protecting our public lands and enjoying these lands by mountain bike. Ultimately, preserving the land and riding respectfully are fundamental to ensuring trails will be open to mountain bikers for years to come.
RIDE.
IMBA Canada brings the mountain biking community together to celebrate the sport of mountain biking. Passion for riding fuels our advocacy and trail building efforts. We do it all for one reason: our love of riding.
Meet the Team
Mike Riediger
Mike grew up in the Fraser Valley riding in the Coast Mountains. His love for outdoor recreation and tourism, led him to establishing roles in the Kootenay Rockies before moving back to the Coast. In 2018 he and his family moved to the West Kootenays where he began his adventure developing adaptive mountain biking. Mike was one of the founders of the Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association, world leaders in adaptive cycling development, sport and training. Mike has worked with trail organizations across North America and through his role with the BICP has established training best practices that you will see from coast to coast. For the past 5 years Mike has worked with IMBA staff to grow and develop the KASA Adaptive Trail Guidelines, making his transition to a role with IMBA as natural as can be. Through his collaborative nature, he is excited to grow IMBAs brand and value to its members and looks forward to working with organizations across Canada.
Jay Darbyshire
Born on the coast and raised in the Kootenays Justin “Jay” Darbyshire possesses a deep passion for exploring our shared physical and cultural landscape through outdoor recreation. He has been involved in the mountain bike industry for over 20 years through both employment and advocacy work. This, coupled with his academic background in Adventure Tourism, gives him a heavy toolbox packed with personal experiences and community recreation development strategies. He left a lasting impact in the Okanagan where, as President of The Mountain Bikers Of The Central Okanagan, he helped formalize the Gillard Trail Network and built strong organizational relationships between recreation groups and local/provincial government. During his time at IMBA Jay has lead projects with Parks Canada, delivered workshops across BC/AB and helped coordinate provincial advocacy - including co-organizing the first ever symposium on diversity in mountain biking.
Eric Leonard
Eric has been at the forefront of trail development in Quebec for over 15 years now. He joined IMBA Canada in 2010 to help clubs and local trail associations to plan and create better trails for all to enjoy. Eric helped establish the first mountain bike-specific trails in the national parks of Quebec (Parcs Quebec), as well as plan and design trails in over 15 areas across the province. He currently serves on the board of directors with Plein Air Sutton. During his free time, when he's not riding bikes, he's most likely building and maintaining trails in the Parc des Sommets of Bromont, where he resides. If you need help getting started with your project in the province, feel free to reach out, and Eric will help you move forward.
Ming Sartee
Ming grew up in the east coast suburbs playing every sport under the sun, but spent her free time wandering around in the woods. When she moved to the mountains of BC in 2014, she finally found home… and mountain biking! The magical mix of nature, community, and challenge hooked her from the start. Using her background as an engineer and her experience growing in her local mountain biking association, Ming is excited to work with people and organizations to spread the joy as IMBA’s Development Coordinator.
Sponsors
We are grateful to the sponsors that fund our advocacy, enabling us to support mountain biking communities around Canada. These industry leaders make our staff and programming possible so we can offer trail workshops, club support, grants, educational resources, lobbying campaigns, and more.
$10,000 +
Grant Funders
Program In Kind Partners
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